By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor 2016 Pasadena Sports Now Football Honors Most Valuable Player: Amon Milliner, La Salle Offensive Player of Year: Michael Bonds, St. Francis Defensive Player of Year: Myles Cecil, La Salle All-Purpose Player of Year: Daniel Scott, St. Francis Coach of the Year: Jim Bonds, St. Francis St. Francis was inarguably the […]
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
2016 Pasadena Sports Now Football Honors
Most Valuable Player: Amon Milliner, La Salle
Offensive Player of Year: Michael Bonds, St. Francis
Defensive Player of Year: Myles Cecil, La Salle
All-Purpose Player of Year: Daniel Scott, St. Francis
Coach of the Year: Jim Bonds, St. Francis
St. Francis was inarguably the area’s best team, and no area quarterback had as much to do with his team’s success than did Michael Bonds.
Bonds transferred from Newport Harbor when his father (Thomas Bonds) saw his job relocated, but the transition was smooth as Bonds got to learn and excel under the tutelage of his uncle and coach, Jim Bonds.
Bonds threw for an area-best 2,201 yards. He completed 159 of 249 passes, for a 64-percent efficiency.
The Golden Knights senior threw for 25 touchdowns and was picked just four times. He also rushed for 228 yards and scored four times on the ground.
Perhaps his greatest trait was a lack of ego.
There were times a game plan called for allowing the running game of Jace Harrick and Elijah Washington to take over, and then on other Friday’s, it required Bonds to pick apart a defense, which he did masterfully.
Week after week, Bonds outplayed quarterbacks that may have had better numbers or more hype, but to his credit, stats and accolades weren’t what mattered. He just wanted to win.
St. Francis finished 9-2, and its two losses came by a total of 8 points. In those 11 games, 10 of the Golden Knights opponents were playoff teams.
“I thought Michael was the best quarterback on the field in every game we played this season,” coach Jim Bonds said. “His decision making and athleticism were the difference in some of our biggest wins. One of the best things about Michael is that he just wanted to win. He was willing to do anything to help his team win. He honestly enjoyed coming to practice every day and his joyfulness and enthusiasm was contagious for our team. I believe Michael was instrumental in bringing our team closer together.”
Despite being at the school for just one season, Michael Bonds has more than left a legacy.
“I knew that St. Francis had great football players, but they are even better people,” Michael Bonds said. “The way they included me and made me feel accepted made this season even better than expected for me. The reason my numbers were good is because our coaches prepared us very well, and we worked hard. We had a great offensive line, and I was surrounded by playmakers.”
Quotable:
WR/DB Gabriel Mathews: “Michael had an amazing year. I definitely had high expectations going into the season, having worked with him much off the off-season, but he played better than I could have hoped. The bond we formed off the field helped us create chemistry we needed on the field and that’s what made us so efficient.”
RB Jace Harrick: “Michael was an answer to our prayers. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone be so accurate, and he throws such a good ball. He was always clutch in our biggest games.”
