At halftime of their 30-5 win over Pasadena City College, the Cerritos College football team took time to honor members of the 1983 Pony Bowl championship team. That squad, which defeated previously undefeated Saddleback, 34-17 in the Orange County Pony Bowl, finished the season with a 9-2 record and ended the season ranked #2 in the country. In addition, that squad, coached by current head coach Frank Mazzotta, had 38 players earn scholarships, with 30 of the being at the Division I level, while several went on to play in the National Football League.

Considered the best football team in Cerritos College history, the team started the season slowly with a 13-10 loss to El Camino College, while a 24-17 loss to Fullerton College in their final regular season game prevented them from winning the South Coast Conference championship. But they were paired up against Saddleback in the Pony Bowl and posted a 34-17 win to finish season on a high note.

Those in attendance for the 30-year reunion included DT Bob Antee (University of New Mexico), LB Scott Duarte (Fresno State University), LB Andre Frazier (University of Colorado), RB Jackie Johnson (University of Illinois), G Scott Larrabee, DE Mark Christopher Lawrence (USC), DB Scott McClure, LB Jon McMaster (Arizona State University), C Chris Pacheco (Fresno State University), DB Greg Rhea (San Jose State University), DB Andy Salazar (San Diego State University), DE Rodney Starr (Boise State University), QB Steve Steenwyck (Oregon State University) and DT Guy Teafatiller (University of Illinois). Members of Mazzotta's coaching staff that were there included offensive backs coach Frank Montera, defensive line coach Phil Dunaway and defensive coordinator Marijon Ancich.

Four players on that team went on to play in the NFL, which consisted of Teafatillo (Buffalo Bills), Jackie Johnson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), DB Sidney Johnson (Washington Redskins) and DB Greg Williamson (Los Angeles Rams).

Said Mazzotta, "It was so great to see those guys and recount some of the stories from that season. We had a lot of interest from more of the guys, but they had other commitments, which prevented them from coming. But that team had so many great football players that have grown into great men. That season was so memorable and it was such fun to have the time to sit and talk with them at the BBQ on Sunday."

Photo by Daryl Peterson