Steve,
I didn't mean to insult you. I could visually tell you like to eat and some how I am questioning your accomplishments? I think we all as Mexican-Americans need to be proud of our abilities to hammer down food in excess and carry our portly frames around society. I will challenge you to a carne asada eat off at La Tolteca in Azusa if you're down?? Otherwise, I am proud that you represent us in the sporting world.
Sincerely,
Carlos Ochoa

It looks like you boycotted spelling and grammar too.

IVE BEEN WATCHING SOUTH HILLS FOR THE LAST 6 YRS THIS IS THE WORST TEAM THEY HAVE EVER HAD IN THAT TIME SPAN. I STILL SAY THEY NEED A CHANGE IN THE HEAD COACHING TO MANY UN NEEDED TIME OUTS ETC. WE NEED A COACH THAT CAN WORK THE CLOCK ON DAY IT WILL BITE S.H IN THE BUTTOCKS ANDTHATS A FACT LIKE IT DID LAST YEAR REMEMBER THAT SCHOOL CALLED EL DORADO?

IM SO UPSET IVE BEEN ATTENDING THE H.S GAMES FOR THE PAST 26 YRS NOW. AS OF LATE SMOKERS CAN NOT SMOKE DO TO THE NEW NO SELF-INFLICTED CANCER POLICEYS. IT'S REALLY GREAT! GUESS I WILL BE ABLE TO GO TO THE GAMES ANYWHERE WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT SECOND-HAND SMOKE! FROM NOW ON I'M GOING TO BOYCOT CANCER! YOU SHOULD TOO!

IM SO UPSET IVE BEEN ATTENDING THE S.H GAMES FOR THE PAST 6 YRS NOW AS OF LATE US SMOKERS CAN NOT SMOKE DO TO THE NEW NO ENTRY POLICEYS IT REALLY SUCKS GUESS I WILL ONLY BE AT THE AWAY GAMES FROM NOW ON IM GOING TO BOYCOT COVINA DISTRIC FEILD

Carlos,
Do some fact checking. Anyone who knows me knows I'm not partial to mexican food in general, and you would NEVER SEE me at a fast-food mexican restaurant.
Nice try, though. But whatever you say/write, you can't detract from my accomplishments.

Steve-
who makes a better burrito? Del Taco or Taco Bell? You look like an expert on the consumption of said food.

Don: i love your blogs, but you were wrong about the SH/NV game. SH did not win by 5 or 6 TDS. And to the other blogger that said NV would cry after each call. If you were at the game you would have seen SH crying after many plays. SH coaches have some class but the players do not.

Stev,

Just read the end of your print article in todays fishwrap. We agree!

I miss the Covina/South Hills matchup too.

Steve,

Do you think that through the years that South Hills/Covina contained even more of the "ingredients" of an even bigger rivalry than SH/NV?

Insider,

You are missing the point why Northview-South Hills must be played every year.

SOuth Hills/Northview should be entertaining because you get to see the Northview coaches cry about every call. This will be very funny especially since SH will be crushing the Vikes. Fred, Robles is really not even the top 3 QB in his league, the Covina kid, San Dimas Kid, and yes the Pomona kid are much better. All are tougher and put put better numbers.

regardless of the size of school or prestige that goes along with that school's program, there's something electric about a rivalry that's been going on for years. i don't think you could convince any player, coach, or parent at san dimas or bonita that the smudge pot isn't the biggest game in the world when it comes around. good luck to both teams on the 10th. should be a great scene.

Ohhhh Lil'Mexican cowboy aka. Caballero

Sorry did I hit a sore spot.. Forgive me for being Scottish and maybe be'in a little loyal to Young and the Tartan clan. Ok Ricky Johnson had a good night against Glendora. Let me tell you this laddie or amigo which ever. Ask Ricky where he plans to run when they play South Hills. I'll bet you he plans on running the same game McBride,Snowden and Johnson ran the last time they faced Bowden and South Hills. OUTSIDE!!!!

Go Tartens

I am a Tartan parent, but our game is Thursday night so I am going to my first Smudgepot game. So it is not true that nobody outside of La Verne or San Dimas cares about this game. I am looking forward to some good cross town rivalry football.

Bye Bye,

Oh I'll be there all right; I'm just here trying to help Freddie make a decision. Give, give, give, that's me.

So long.

Right you are Joe, I was saving the “Bill and Ted” gags since Bonita is the Home team this year.

I also didn't mention the Festival of Western Art which remains the single best place in America to buy a picture of a guy in a cowboy hat, (should one be so inclined), or the reference to The Duke's place, “a little east of San Dimas”, in Hondo.

We'll save all those for '09. :]

Don

I guess you won't be there.

Have fun traveling to Frazier or Burroughs.

Mapquest does wonders...LOL

A Fan:

" Stop the run " How many yards did Ricky Johnson have against Glendora ?

Don,

Awesome!

But the list definitely has a "Bonita bias" to it.

Why no mention of "The Ataris"... because we all know "San Dimas Football Rules!"

And I thought the ghosts were at the old San Dimas Mansion. Or at ... "The Steps"

No mention of The Rodeo, Puddingstone, Raging Waters, Bill Preston, Esq., Ted "Theodore" Logan, "The Wyld Stallions" or Rufus who let us know that San Dimas is "the center of the universe".

So go if you must, but at least-
"Be excellent to each other."

Don...
Too good! Don't be stealing Letterman's material!

Smudge Pot Square Pants will be the GOTW... because it's soooo crowded!

Swell idea hooking up the Northview – South Hills contest as your game of the week. There will be dozens of fans Friday night waiting anxiously to find out whether the Huskies win by five TD's or six.

Now, about that smudgepot game: I really think you guys will be happier with another event as game of the week, really. I took the liberty of asking a few Saints and Bearcat fans and got a few reasons to stay away from the smudgepot game.

10 Reasons not to smudgepot

1.Too crowded
2.Everything in the snackbar is cooked over kerosene in a smudgepot
3.The Times already has it covered
4.People get it mixed up with the Sponge Bob game and get crabby
5.It's hard to find La Verne
6.T Phillips always runs out of PBR on smudgepot night
7.Football field haunted by ghost of Isaac Lord, (or maybe it's the BB field at ULV...I forget)
8.Better games elsewhere, (St Gennie @ Frazier Mtn or Hesperia @ Burroughs, for two)
9.San Dimas and Bonita fans are really mean (especially the volleyball fans)
10.Did I mention how crowded it is?

I would love to do it, but it's too hectic around the office. I don't get out on Friday ninght's till after midnight.

Fred I'll be at the Smudge Pot game. This has to be one of the best rivalries around! As Joe said we all can Tivo the Amat/DR game and watch it @ home.

Fred, what ever happened to the idea of a live post game show on Friday nights? I'm all up for a few brews with my fellow bloggers!

FRED
co did not have rancho score 28 points on them
it was a lucky 14 points on 2 big plays
CO looks great
go chargers

Hey Fred

Nice to see the Tribune give some love to a couple of west valley teams; Arroyo and Rosemead. My gosh i get so sick and tired about all the rants and raves about Bishop Amat. I guess if it wasnt for Amat fans this blog wouldnt exist. Probably 90% of all post mention Amat somewhere in their context. I will say this. Congratulations on the success you've had with your season so far. Now quit your bragging and let your works do the talking and lets see if your still standing tall in December. Oh and I've seen your so called super Linebackers in action. Their not any better than Young from Glendora or Bowden from South Hills. Those kids know how to stop the run

Amat 73 and Joe Amat...
You two are the type of fan Amat should be proud of. You both understand SGV football on a larger picture and I appreciate your recognition of the inportance of the Smudge Pot. Other Amat-ers should take notes when they read your blog here. An Amat fan can show support for other SGV programs and games without sacraficing their allegiance to the Lancers. I love everything Amat has done for the valley - they have earned more good press for our SGV communities than any other football program - pulling for other SGV programs to bring in some good press of their own is never a bad idea - it's good for all the schools, the parents, the players, and the valley!

For what it's worth I've said several times that the Bonita/San Dimas game is the biggest *San Gabriel Valley* rivalry. 73 mentioned Amat/St Paul which is the best overall rivalry involving an SGV school.

True, the "Smudgepot" is an *event* for those involved, while Amat/DR has no history and is just another game that will draw a big crowd-like many home games at Keifer. You can come and see 6K a few times a year there. Not any more special than Amat/WC.

I'm sure the BoHi/SD game also took on a whole different meaning when they were BOTH in the VVL.

They should get their highlights on the blog Saturday AM. The Amat folks can TiVo our game on Fox.

When and IF the Panthers beat Temple City this week , we will see just how legit we should take these RHS Panthers. Believe me Bogan is not looking past RHS . He KNOWS Coach Koffler will have his young men READY ! Let's deal with this week though & the job @ hand , that's a MAJOR problem with teams now . They tend to look ahead , TC is gonna BRING IT this week ! And I am sure Northview is gonna BE READY for the Huskies this week .

Fight On

TM

Fred,
EXCELLENT POINT! Amat gets 3 times the press every season than that of San Dimas or Bonita High School. Most (non Amat) halfway think the Trib is in the tank for Amat anyway. I realize they have a storied history full of tradition... but when two programs that play their collective hearts out (SD & Bonita) have to vote on a blog to convince the local paper to call their game the GOTW, it really makes a strong case that, indeed, the trib is in the tank for Amat. Let Bonita and SD have their time in the sun next week... God knows Amat will get tons of press... after all they are Amat and they will be heard this week, next week, the week after that, etc...

Folks, folks, this is no ordinary smudge pot. This is the best San Dimas team in school history against 3-1 Bonita.

yes, Northview-south hills is our game of the week, and Steve Ramirez is writing a column on it in Friday's newspaper.

hey fred u got anything for the front of the paper this week involving south hills and nview. it would be nice to see these two teams re-new the rivalry with some kind of motivation you can produce fred!!!

just another Friday at Keifer and Amat's 1500 students (smaller than BoHi).
Check out some games when people come before schools out to reserve seats!

FRED
I understand how AMAT vs DRANCH is a big game but its just a game uve been to the smudgepot u know what its like there u see people painted green on one side and blue on the other heres something for all u people saying amat games easily have over 6000 plus people at their games BONITA and SAN DIAMAS have a combined 3800 students so thats 2200 people that just come to watch and those people are there before the first quarter because the stadiums fool so they dont let anyone else in thsi year Bonita added 4000 extra seats so i can promise you theyll be at least 7500 fans at this game
any other week DR vs BA game of the week but Not next week

GAME OF THE WEEK

BONITA BEARCATS VS SAN DIAMAS SAINTS

AT GLENN DAVIS STADIUM

Freddie,

You don't want to waste time with the spongebob game, seen one, seen them all.

Better you spend your time with the BA/DR contest or even a Montview extravaganzo like Duarte and Happy Rock; let you get in touch with your real constituency. Easier to get to, better parking, etc.

Besides, to paraphrase Yogi Berra: Nobody goes to the smudgepot any more, it's too crowded.

LA insider;

WATCH WHAT YOUY SAY ABOUT TRADITION.

OR MAY GET SQUIRTED IN YOUR MOUTH...

THERE ARE BIGGER THINGS THAN AMAT!MORON...

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS,BEFORE YOU WERE A TWINKLE IN YOUR DADDY'S EYES! BOY.

Freddy:

The DR/Amat game is just that.. A GAME..

SmudgePot is an event!

Just wondering,
I here you . I would think the Smudgepot would be a bigger game that AMAT - DR. It has history, a big rivalry and for any high school game to draw that type of crowd it speaks volumes. Now if we were talking AMAT - st paul then you would have an arguement from me but seeing as AMAT and DR have no history Smudgepot hands down GOTW

Amat fools, you all think your crap doesnt stink. Your football has played only one team at your level and you got lucky. You played lesser competition in every other game. Just so you idiots realize you dont get a banner, ring, or even a T-shirt for proclaiming your the best in the SGV. That is pretty much the only thing you can proclaim because you cant match up in your own league or division. Pretty Sad, cause I remember when Amat was worth a damn, now it just sounds like a bunch of disgruntled raider fans jumping on the band wagon. Get back to where you once were, winning league championships and CIF titles otherwise just stay quiet. By the way I would rather see the smudgepot as game of the week.

Fred:

After you attended the Smudge last year, you already know the answer.

Enough Said

Fred,
I agree with LA Insider. Any game Amat plays is more important that the Smudge Pot. You really shouldn't waste you time (or ink for that matter) on two middle of the road programs like SD and Bonita.... not when you have the likes of Amat just around the corner. In fact, I think you should just forget all about the other teams in the SGV. Maybe you can change the name from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune to the Amat Valley Tribune... That's it... the SGVT can become the school newspaper for Amat!

Come on, LA Insider... The Smudge Pot is one of the biggest games of the year in the SGV. I realize neither team has the history of Amat, but give them their due. Bonita vs. San Dimas brings out all kinds of people and while it's hard for you to get your head around it... The folks who attend these two schools view their high school experience and memories just as highly as an Amat alum or fan does.

Amat will be taking on some really tuff teams in league and their games will be the game of the week on at least two occassions during league... let them have their glory then... but don't try to strip the importance of the Smudge Pot... it wouldn't be fair to San Dimas or Bonita... or the SGV for that matter...

reality czech, you make good points but that many for attendance is not normal for SD or Bonita and im sure there will be probably the same amount at that game figuring that it is the game of the week on Fox. But does it really need to be the game of the week on both?

next week's big game = Bonita vs San Dimas.

SmudgePot!
SmudgePot!
SmudgePot!

GO BEARCATS

onlooker-betcha a dollar that there are still more than 6000 in attendance at Amat/Diamond Ranch- AND the games the Game of the Week on Fox TV.
6000 is a regular thing there, so if that's your criteria they'd have a bunch of games of the week.

Fred, I feel that it is obviously between either Diamond Ranch - Bishop Matt or San Dimas - Bonita. I think that SD - Bonita is the right choice however because its a huge game and both schools are good. And how about 6000+ attending like last year? Sounds like game of the week to me

Here's the thing about this list. No doubt you will get a HUGE wave of emails telling you that the "Smudge Pot" game is the biggest game this week. But let's be honest...no one outside of San Dimas/La Verne gives two squirts about this game.

For my money the biggest game of the week is Diamond Ranch v. Bishop Amat. Amat is finally back on it's throne in the SGV and D Ranch had HUGE expectations for this season. Let's see if they can live up to them by keeping this one even remotely close.

Smudge Pot is nothing more than a cross-town rivalry between two good teams. Not even any league implications. At least other cross-town rivalries like SH v. WC affect league standings and CIF bids.

Don't believe the hype Freddie!