The Bonita Bearcats overcame injuries and early adversity to defeat the previously unbeaten San Dimas Saints, 28-14, in the annual Smudge Pot Game on Friday night at Mt. San Antonio College. The victory marked Bonita’s seventh consecutive win in the rivalry series and improved their all-time lead to 28–24–1 since the first Smudge Pot Game in 1972.

Short-Handed Bearcats Rise to the Occasion

Despite missing two key starters — junior running back Joseph Lara (season-ending meniscus injury) and senior quarterback Travis Lippert (ankle) — the Bearcats (1-3) leaned on their depth and a potent ground attack. Sophomore running back Sebastian Vasquez carried 111 yards with a touchdown, while senior Jacob Maddox added 84 yards and a 36-yard scoring run.

Freshman quarterback Cade Burbidge showed poise beyond his years, completing 10 of 13 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown, while also adding a key scramble that set up points.

Defensive Battle Early

Both defenses controlled the opening quarter before San Dimas (3-1) broke through first. With 10:15 left in the second quarter, Liam Loyola returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown to give the Saints a 7-0 lead.

Bonita answered immediately with a 10-play drive capped by Vasquez’s 3-yard run. After forcing a quick punt, the Bearcats struck again, this time on Maddox’s 36-yard run, which gave Bonita a 14-7 halftime advantage.

Saints Come Back

San Dimas tied the game at 14-14 early in the third quarter when quarterback Brandon Meredith connected with Jacob Gallegos for a 36-yard touchdown strike. Gallegos finished with 13 carries for 54 yards and three receptions for 88 yards, accounting for the bulk of the Saints’ offense.

But Bonita responded with composure. A play-action rollout set up a 19-yard touchdown pass from Burbidge to Adam Hodgson, who had missed last season due to illness, giving the Bearcats a 21-14 lead midway through the third quarter.

Closing It Out

The Bearcats extended their lead in the fourth quarter when Burbidge handed off to Adrian Garza for a 5-yard touchdown run at the 6:50 mark. From there, Bonita’s defense sealed the win, holding San Dimas to just 95 rushing yards on the night and forcing two three-and-outs in the final minutes.

Rivalry Notes

The victory keeps the Smudge Pot in Bonita’s possession for a seventh straight year. San Dimas has not won the rivalry since 2017. Bonita now leads the all-time series, 28–24–1, with the lone tie coming in 1987.

For San Dimas, Meredith finished 5-of-13 for 104 yards, while Loyola, Gallegos, and Keenan Hoyt combined for the Saints’ 95 rushing yards.

Game Photos

Photos taken by Anthony Sarinana