The Cashmere Bulldogs are headed back to the 1A state semifinals for the second straight season after overwhelming the Life Christian Eagles 59–16 on Saturday afternoon at the Wenatchee Apple Bowl. The Bulldogs, now 10–1 and seeded No. 2 in the state bracket, delivered a dominant all-around performance in the quarterfinal round, easily handling the No. 10 seed Eagles.
DEFENSE DOMINATES AGAIN
Cashmere’s defense, one of the state’s elite units all season, turned in its most suffocating effort yet. Life Christian finished with –17 rushing yards, unable to generate anything on the ground behind Cashmere’s relentless defensive front.
Star quarterback Jabez Boyd was forced to the air early and often, but even that offered little relief. Cashmere unleashed an unrelenting pass rush that recorded 10 unofficial sacks, including a staggering seven from Grey Jacobson, the South Central Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Jacobson looked unblockable throughout the afternoon, living in the Eagles’ backfield and constantly disrupting Boyd’s timing. Prin Fox, David Odenrider, and Carson Potter also added sacks for Cashmere.
The Bulldogs also welcomed back standout junior safety Braylon Rubio, who returned from a five-game absence due to a shoulder injury. Rubio made an immediate impact with two interceptions, echoing last year’s quarterfinal victory at the Apple Bowl, when he picked off three passes against Nooksack Valley.
OFFENSE POURS IT ON
While the defense smothered the Eagles, the Cashmere offense was equally impressive and efficient.
Senior quarterback Rylan Hatmaker came out sharp, throwing two first-quarter touchdown passes to senior Logan Spies—a 6-yard strike and a 23-yard score—to help Cashmere take a 15–0 lead after one quarter. The Bulldogs added another first-half touchdown on a 1-yard plunge by sophomore Jacoby Tait, though Life Christian managed to stay within reach with two second-quarter scores. Cashmere led 22–10 at the break.
The second half, however, belonged entirely to the Bulldogs.
Senior Isaac Zavala electrified the stadium by returning the opening kickoff of the third quarter 80 yards to the end zone, sparking a runaway Cashmere surge. Senior Thomas Bergren added a 1-yard rushing touchdown, and Hatmaker tossed two more TD passes—one to senior Levi Strutzel from 17 yards out and another to Zavala from 15 yards. Tait capped the scoring with his second 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Sophomore kicker Edgar Reyna remained perfect on the season, going 7-for-7 on PATs.
OFFENSIVE LINE SETS THE TONE
Cashmere’s starting offensive line—center Joseph Acton, guards Camden Crawford and Ulysses Betancourt, and tackles Prin Fox and Carson Potter—played one of its best games of the year. The group did not allow a sack and consistently opened running lanes that wore down the Eagles in the second half.
STAT LEADERS
Hatmaker turned in a strong all-around performance, finishing 16-for-22 for 176 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception, while also rushing four times for 27 yards. Freshman Jayce McMahon led the Bulldogs in rushing with 29 yards on three carries, while Bergren (17 yards, TD) and Tait (13 yards, 2 TD) each carried five times.
Hatmaker spread the ball around to five receivers:
Isaac Zavala: 7 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD
Logan Spies: 4 receptions, 51 yards, 2 TD
Levi Strutzel: 2 receptions, 37 yards, 1 TD
David Odenrider: 2 receptions, 7 yards
Jayce McMahon: 1 reception, 12 yards
Boyd finished 18-for-34 for 220 yards and two interceptions for Life Christian.
NEXT UP: STATE SEMIFINALS
Cashmere advances to face the No. 3 seed Mt. Baker Mountaineers (10–1) in the 1A state semifinals next Saturday, Nov. 29, at 3:00 p.m. at the Wenatchee Apple Bowl. Mt. Baker’s only loss this season came against 3A powerhouse Bellevue. The Mountaineers defeated Omak 32–22 on Saturday to reach the semifinal round.
The winner will earn a trip to the 1A State Championship Game on Friday, December 5, at Husky Stadium in Seattle.
