The Cashmere Bulldogs closed out their regular season in commanding fashion Thursday night, shutting out the visiting Naches Valley Rangers 59-0 on Senior Night. The victory capped an impressive 8-1 regular season for the Bulldogs, while the Rangers fell to 5-4.
Prior to kickoff, Cashmere honored its senior class — and the group made sure their final home regular season game was one to remember. The Bulldogs’ defense was suffocating, pitching their fifth shutout of the season and holding Naches Valley to just 49 rushing yards on 33 carries. The Rangers managed only two completions for 21 yards and just three first downs the entire game.
Through nine games, the Bulldogs’ defense has allowed only 45 total points — an average of just five points per contest.
Cashmere wasted no time taking control. The Bulldogs forced a three-and-out on the opening drive, and a bad snap on the ensuing punt rolled into the end zone for a safety, giving Cashmere a quick 2-0 lead. On the kickoff that followed, sophomore Ethan Bessonette electrified the home crowd with a 58-yard return for a touchdown — his second consecutive game with a kickoff return score.
From there, the Bulldogs never looked back. Senior quarterback Rylan Hatmaker connected with freshman Jayce McMahon for a 23-yard touchdown, and senior Thomas Bergren powered in from five yards out to make it 24-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Hatmaker continued to roll in the second quarter, tossing two touchdown passes to senior Logan Spies — a 51-yard bomb followed by a 10-yard strike. He then found senior Levi Strutzel on a one-yard TD pass before senior Isaac Zavala brought the crowd to its feet with a 38-yard punt return touchdown just before halftime. The score was Zavala’s 10th career punt return for a touchdown, setting a new all-time state record.
The Bulldogs led 52-0 at halftime, and with the running clock in effect, the second half flew by. Freshman Callen Pipkin added the lone second-half touchdown on a 41-yard run to close out the scoring.
Hatmaker finished a perfect 9-for-9 passing for 163 yards and four touchdowns, with no interceptions. The senior standout also reached a major milestone — 100 career touchdown passes in his Bulldog career. Spies led all receivers with four catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Zavala added one catch for 30 yards, while nine different Bulldogs recorded receptions on the night.
Sophomore backup quarterback Mac Carlson handled second-half duties, going 3-for-4 passing for 13 yards and rushing for 34 yards on four carries. Pipkin led the rushing attack with 53 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
Ranked No. 2 in the state in this week’s 1A coaches poll, the Bulldogs will now await their matchup in the “Round of 24” state qualifying game, which will be played next Friday or Saturday (Nov. 7–8). Pairings will be released Sunday morning, and Cashmere is expected to host, as the top 12 seeds earn home games.
With momentum surging and their defense playing lights-out football, the Bulldogs will look to keep their season alive and punch their ticket to the state playoffs next week.
