Cashmere Bulldogs dominate in 56-0 rout of Wapato in conference opener

WAPATO — The Cashmere High School Bulldogs made a strong statement in their South Central Athletic Conference debut, overwhelming the Wapato Wolves 56-0 on Friday, Sept. 6, at Wapato High School. The victory showcased Cashmere's strength on both offense and defense.

The Bulldogs' game began slowly, as they struggled with ball control in the opening quarter. Three early turnovers—two fumbles and an interception—kept the score at 0-0, but Cashmere's defense held firm, preventing Wapato from capitalizing on these opportunities.

As the second quarter unfolded, Cashmere's offense found its footing, sparking a scoring run that would continue throughout the game. Junior quarterback Rylan Hatmaker led the charge, connecting with junior Logan Spies on a 10-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring.

Hatmaker continued to perform well, adding a 6-yard touchdown pass to junior Tom McDevitt and contributing a 1-yard rushing touchdown of his own. Senior Aidan Theiss finished the quarter with a 19-yard touchdown run, giving the Bulldogs a commanding 28-0 lead at halftime.

The Bulldogs maintained their momentum in the second half. In the third quarter, juniors Thomas Bergren and Isaac Zavala each scored on 7-yard rushing touchdowns, extending Cashmere's lead to 42-0. The fourth quarter saw two more scores: a 14-yard rushing touchdown by senior Colby Diaz and a 49-yard interception return for a touchdown by sophomore Colton Stendera.

Cashmere's defense was relentless throughout the game, with notable performances from several players. Junior defensive end Prin Fox was a constant threat, recording three sacks. The unit as a whole was effective, limiting Wapato to just 168 total yards.

While the Bulldogs had three additional interception returns for touchdowns (two by McDevitt and one by Keenan Knoll) called back due to penalties, it did little to diminish the impact of their defensive performance.

On the ground, Cashmere's rushing attack was led by sophomore Grey Jacobson, who gained 74 yards on eight carries. Bergren and Theiss also contributed significantly, with Bergren rushing for 57 yards on six carries and Theiss adding 34 yards on three carries.

Hatmaker finished the night with a solid passing performance, going 8-for-13 with 59 yards and two touchdowns. His main target, Spies, caught four passes for 39 yards and a touchdown.

The Bulldogs' special teams also performed well, with freshman kicker Edgar Reyna converting all eight extra-point attempts.

As the Bulldogs celebrate their convincing conference debut, they'll look to maintain this momentum in their next matchup. Cashmere will host the Kiona-Benton Bears next Friday, aiming to build on their impressive season opener.

The game serves as a strong indication of Cashmere's potential this season, demonstrating their ability to control the game on both offense and defense against conference opponents. With such a comprehensive victory to start their campaign, the Bulldogs have set a high standard for themselves in the 2024 season.