The Cashmere Bulldogs enter the 2026 football season with high expectations and plenty of unfinished business.

Under ninth-year head coach Bryan Bremer, Cashmere has established itself as one of the premier programs in 1A football. The Bulldogs have reached the 1A state semifinals in each of the past two seasons and enter 2026 with a remarkable 21-4 record over that span. All four of those losses, however, have come against the same opponent: the six-time defending 1A state champion Royal Knights.

That includes last year’s heartbreaking 21-20 loss to Royal in the 1A state championship game at Husky Stadium.

Now, the Bulldogs are looking to finish the job.

Cashmere returns a tremendous amount of talent from last year’s 11-win squad, giving the Bulldogs a strong foundation as they pursue another trip to Husky Stadium—and this time, a state championship.

Defense Again Expected to Lead the Way

Cashmere’s defense was one of the best in the classification last season, recording six shutouts, and expectations remain high for the 2026 unit.

Senior defensive end Grey Jacobson headlines the group after being named the SCAC Defensive Player of the Year last season. Jacobson and junior linebacker Jacoby Tait both return after earning first-team all-state honors on defense after accumulating 145 combined tackles in 2025.

The Bulldogs may have their greatest depth and experience in the defensive backfield.

Senior Colton Stendera, a first-team All-SCAC selection last season, and junior Ethan Bessonette, a second-team All-SCAC selection, lead the group. Returning starters senior Braylon Rubio (All-SCAC as a sophomore) and junior Jackson Binger add even more experience.

Cashmere will also have junior Cole McKenna, junior Jack Baker and sophomore Callen Pipkin available in the secondary, giving the Bulldogs plenty of options to work with.

Up front, seniors Ulysses Betancourt and David Odenrider have proven capable of creating problems for opposing offenses, while junior Roland Bruning is poised for a breakout season after gaining valuable experience last year.

Sophomore linebacker Jayce McMahon is another player Bulldogs fans should keep an eye on after an impressive freshman campaign. Senior defensive end Kaleb Thayer is also expected to be a force on the defensive side of the ball.

Carlson Takes Over at Quarterback

While Cashmere brings back plenty of talent, the Bulldogs will have to replace one of the most prolific passers in school history.

Quarterback Rylan Hatmaker graduated after leading the Bulldogs’ offense and has moved on to play collegiately at Central Washington University. Taking over under center will be junior Mac Carlson, who has spent the past two seasons learning behind Hatmaker.

Carlson saw significant varsity action late in games when the Bulldogs had already built commanding leads. In limited action over the past two seasons, he has completed 20 of 26 passes for 272 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions along with 119 rushing yards.

With Carlson taking over the offense, Cashmere will look to surround its new quarterback with a talented collection of playmakers.

Bulldogs Have Plenty of Options in Backfield

The running back position figures to be a major strength.

McMahon leads the way after a standout freshman season in which he accounted for 488 total yards and earned third-team All-SCAC honors. Tait (516 career rushing yards), Jacobson and McKenna also provide proven depth in the backfield.

That combination of experience and versatility should give Carlson a strong running game to lean on as he takes over the offense.

New Faces Ready to Step Up at Receiver

Cashmere will need to replace several productive receivers from last year’s team, including graduated seniors Logan Spies, Isaac Zavala, Tom McDevitt and Levi Strutzel.

The Bulldogs will turn to a deep group of returning players and newcomers to fill those roles.

Senior Braylon Rubio, senior Kaiden Ruiz-Cook and senior Colton Stendera provide veteran leadership, while juniors Ethan Bessonette, Jack Baker, Brett Rubio, Jackson Binger, Cooper Green and Edgar Reyna give Cashmere plenty of additional options.

Sophomore Connor Diaz and freshman Ryder Carlson will also be looking to make an impact.

At tight end, senior David Odenrider returns after an outstanding junior season while amassing 19 receptions for 221 yards earning third-team All-SCAC honors last season.

Offensive Line Remains a Strength

The Bulldogs will have to replace last season’s SCAC Lineman of the Year, Prin Fox, but the offensive line still looks to be a position of strength.

First-team all-state lineman Ulysses Betancourt returns to anchor the unit, while junior Camden Crawford is back after earning second-team All-SCAC honors.

Cashmere is also excited about the continued development of junior Roland Bruning, who saw varsity action as a sophomore.

Other players expected to contribute along the line include junior Alvaro Ferrer-Sierra, sophomore Kolton Weeks, junior Luke Satterfield and senior Milo Ahrens.

With a combination of returning experience and emerging talent, the Bulldogs should once again be able to rely on a physical offensive front.

Reyna Gives Bulldogs an Advantage on Special Teams

Cashmere also returns one of the top kickers in the 1A classification.

Junior Edgar Reyna earned first-team all-state honors last season and gives the Bulldogs a major weapon on special teams. Reyna looks to build off a stellar junior season after he went 74-75 on PAT and added 43 touchbacks.

The kickoff and return units are also expected to feature several of Cashmere’s explosive athletes, including Bessonette (3 kick-off return TDs in 2025), McMahon and Diaz.

Season Begins September 4

The Bulldogs will officially open the 2026 season on Friday, September 4, when they host the College Place Hawks. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Before the regular season begins, Cashmere will get an early look at its team during a preseason jamboree on Saturday, August 29. Eastmont, Okanogan, Chelan and Cle Elum will travel to Cashmere to participate in the scrimmage.

The Bulldogs have already proven they can compete with the best teams in 1A football. Now they will have another opportunity to take the final step.

After coming within one point of a state championship last season, Cashmere enters 2026 with a talented roster, plenty of experience and a clear goal: get back to Husky Stadium and finish what it started.