Bulldog defensive end Justen Meaders celebrates after Mayfair victory...photo by Della Marquez

After routing their first two playoff opponents by a combined score of 96-7, West Covina found themselves in a very unfamiliar position; The Bulldogs were trailing at half-time 19-14.

The Mayfair Monsoons used a controlling ground game behind their big and talented offensive line. Mayfair also used a couple of timely pass plays that helped them into the end zone three times in the first half.

The Bulldogs scored right after the half-time break to go up 21-19 and then a defensive struggle took place amongst the two teams. After the Bulldogs could not convert a (fourth quarter) 4th and 1 near midfield , Mayfair drove to the Bulldogs 5 yard line. The Bulldogs put up a classic goal line stance and forced Mayfair to attempt a 23 yard field goal try to take the lead with around six minutes left in the game. The field goal try came up well short.

West Covina took over and ate up the remaining clock, finishing off the Monsoons with a George Johnson 14 yard run (Johnson’s 2nd TD of the game)to seal the victory. Bulldog Running Backs Chris Solomon and Beejay Lee accounted for the other two West Covina touchdowns.

After the first quarter was halfway over, the Bulldogs appeared to be in for a tough night vs the Santa Fe Chiefs defense. But turnovers by the Santa Fe offense quickly put the Chiefs down by 14 and they never recovered.

The Bulldog’s Chris Solomon returned two Chief’s fumbles for touchdowns (and also ran for two touchdowns on offense).

The Bulldog’s QB George Johnson added two more scores with a 1 yard plunge and a beautiful 35 yard run to finish off the Chiefs.

Other notable highlights included Rigo Castillo’s 35 yard Fg with time expiring in the first half to increase the lead to 24-7.

Once again, the Bulldog’s defense came up big after allowing a first quarter score by the Chiefs. As for the Bulldog’s offense, it was not their best performance (Santa Fe’s defense did come ready to play) and to still win by 40 shows how tough this entire squad is.

West Covina came into the 1st round of the playoffs as huge favorites vs the Bellflower Buccaneers.  And once again, the Bulldogs did not disappoint their fans.

Using a ground game that ran over you instead of around you, and mixing in some well-timed passing plays, the Bulldogs scored a lopsided 49-0 victory at Thyberg Field.

The defense for the Bulldogs was outstanding as well. Bellflower could never get much momentum going offensively (even when substitute players made up most of the defense in the 4th quarter).

The Bulldogs spread the wealth around when it came to scoring, as six of the seven touchdowns were by different players. QB George Johnson being the only Bulldog player to score more than once.

Probably the highlight of the game was the interception for a touchdown by (lineman) George Castro. It is not often that defensive linemen get a taste of the end zone.

The Bulldogs now advance to the quarterfinals and a meeting with 2nd place Santa Fe (Del Rio). The game will be played at West Covina.

Should the Bulldogs defeat Santa Fe (and I only say” should” because I do not want to be accused of overconfidence) they will be on the road vs the winner of the Mayfair-Burroughs game.

Your West Covina Bulldogs have won the newly formed Hacienda League and now enter the Southeast Division Playoffs in a unfamiliar position; the Bulldogs are the number one seed and the favorites to take the CIF Title.

The road to the CIF Title begins November 19th, when the Bulldogs face the fourth place team from the Suburban League (Bellflower) at West Covina High School.

Coach Maggiore talks to players after Diamond Bar win (photo by Della Marquez)

Why Bulldog fans should be rooting for Santa Fe to beat Burbank.

In the likely event that the Bulldogs beat Bellflower, the next opponent in the bracket will be the winner of the Santa Fe-Burbank game. Should Santa Fe win, the Bulldogs will be back at home the day after Thanksgiving, however, should Burbank win the game, the Bulldogs will have to travel to Burbank (Burroughs High is where the game will be played).

The 2008 Bulldogs played Burbank at Burroughs High around the same time of the year and the conditions were less than desirable. The weather was cold and windy and the grass field was in pretty bad shape.