MidValleySports.Com

West Covina HC Mike Maggiore

By Joseph Rodriguez

(La Verne)- West Covina was at Bonita for homecoming. The game was highly contested back and forth battle which saw the Bulldogs power (with Josh Best) and speed (with Sidney Jones) past the Bearcats in the 4th for a 26-14 win on Friday night at Glen Davis Stadium.

With neither team reaching the end zone in the first quarter, West Covina was first to put points on the board in the second when quarterback Isaiah Bravo connected with Jones for a 22-yard strike. Bonita responded with a 3-yard touchdown run by Jake Payton; the game was tied 7-7 at the half.

The Bulldogs Jones took the opening kickoff of the second half ninety-nine yards for a score to put the Bulldogs up 14-7. At this point the intensity and energy level on the Bulldogs sideline exploded from high to Jim Harbaugh status.

Although early in the game, this seemed to foreshadow from the coaches down to the players West Covina was going to find a way to will itself a win.

Bonita, however, once again answered on its ensuing drive. Jake Payton, who has deceptively fast speed, raced 70-yards for a touchdown.

Entering the fourth the game was tied 14-14.

In the final quarter the Bulldogs began to wear down the Bearcats defense.  It was just a battle of wills, as WestCo ran straight up the middle, chipping away four to five yards a carry. This led to 1-yard run by Best to put the Bulldogs up 20-14 after the missed extra point.

Late in the game West Covina was driving late into Bonita territory, looking to put the game away, when they coughed the ball up. The fumble was recovered by the Bearcats at their own 27 with 1:54 left in the fourth.

The Bearcats could not capitalize. West Covina’s defense held strong and forced a turnover on downs. West Covina’s Best scored with 0:51 in the 4th to give the game its final, 26-14 after a missed two point conversion.

***West Covina’s Isaiah Bravo was 7 for 11, 104 yard and 1 Td.

***Bonita’s Tanner Diebold was  8 for 24, 76 yards and 2 Ints.

***West Covina’s David Ford had 14 carries for 68 yards. Josh Best; 10 for 57 yards, 2 Tds.

***Bonita’s Jake Payton had 14 carries for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns.

***West Covina (5-4, 3-2 Hacienda League) has a date with bye next week and finishes its season against Los Altos November 7th.

***Bonita (5-3, 2-2 league) hosts Los Altos (7-1, 3-1 in league) next week.