Bearcats Have an Angel on their Side, 23-14

Bonita keeps the Smudge Pot for another year!

Bonita keeps the Smudge Pot for another year!

By Tim Peterson

(Glendora) – Angel Verdugo ran for three touchdowns and the Bonita defense forced three turnovers as the Bearcats beat San Dimas 23-14 Thursday night in the annual battle for the Smudgepot at Citrus College.

Verdugo was relentless carrying the ball 40 times for 173 yards. Verdugo ran it from the backfield, from the wildcat and even caught a couple of passes for good measure. San Dimas knew what was coming but still couldn’t stop it – especially on a late fourth quarter drive that led to a game sealing field goal when Verdugo controlled the rock.

 

Angel Verdugo runs over and through the Saints defense.

Angel Verdugo runs over and through the Saints defense.

Sophomore Garrett Deane booted a 24 yard field goal with 1:33 left to ice the game. Verdugo carried the ball 11 times in the 12 play march. The other play was a fourth and six from the 25 when Cody Brazzill hit Danny Gelalich for 20 yards and a first down.

 

***Bonita scored on its third possession of the contest when the Bearcats forced a San Dimas fumble and took over at the Saint 18. Two plays later Verdugo blasted into the end zone from 15 yards out.

***Both of the Saints’ touchdowns came on big plays. Manny Elizalde scored on a 62 yard run early in the second quarter to tie it at seven. Bobby Rios’ 39 yard run early in the third tied it at 14.

***San Dimas had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the third after blocking a Bonita punt. But the Saints went three and out.

***Bonita scored on the next possession when Verdugo, (who else?) capped an eight- play 74-yard drive with a seven yard run.

***San Dimas turned the ball over three times (two fumbles, interception) to none for Bonita.

***Brazzill had nine carries for 60 yards and completed 10 of 16 for 108 yards.

***San Dimas had 195 yards on the ground with Rios leading the way with 80 yards on nine carries. Andrew Avila had 80 yards passing.

***”This is a proud group of guys. There were 2-8 as freshman. Angel Verdugo did a great job and I thought our offensive line played really well. Also Cody Brazzill made the plays when he had to. That’s a great team over there (San Dimas). I mean they’re defending CIF champions.” – Bonita HC Adrian Medrano.

***Blocking up front for Bonita: LT- Austin Russell, LG- Daniel Burgess, C- Noah Loun, RG- Baylee Smith, RT- Dustin Lees.

***Blocking up front for San Dimas: LT – Yossef Hanna, LG- Jonathan Aleriano, C- Domonic Moronez, RG- Nathan Collier, RT – Charles Santisteban.

***San Dimas falls to 3-2 with the loss while the Bearcats improve to 4-1.

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