Cascade Football team primed and ready to make a run at the playoffs

The future is bright for the Cascade Kodiak football team. Last year, the Kodiaks tied with Cashmere and Okanogan for the regular season Caribou Trail League title. Unfortunately, Cascade was the odd team out in the three-game playoff. 

Cascade Head Coach Dom Coffin said they are returning a lot of guys. 

“We’re still a young team with a lot freshmen and sophomores. Now, they are sophomores and juniors. I think them getting a lot of experience last year is a big help as we transition to this year,” Coffin said. 

Getting the playoff was a big step for his young team. 

“I think a lot of these kids are angry from last year. We had a good run at the end. We didn’t make into the state playoffs. A lot of them were disappointed and excited to make the state playoffs this year,” Coffin said. 

Cascade returns a bevy of talented skill players including junior running backs Jet Bailey and Jose Valdez . Unfortunately, the speedster Bailey, the team’s leading rusher from a year ago, is out after tearing his achilles in state track. He’ll be out for the season, but could return come playoff time. 

“That was a big hit for us, but we have a lot of other guys that have been stepping up. Wyatt Lambert is playing fullback right now, but we also have twos and fours moving into the fullback spot as well. It’s been fun to see those guys go,” Coffin. 

Valdez was the second leading rusher and another speedy big play guy. Coffin said they will definitely be leaning on him in Bailey’s absence. 

“He’s going to be taking on a lot more carries. Teague Duncan was a freshman last year. He was starting on both sides of the ball. He ended up getting hurt in the first game, which made him sit out a lot of the season. We really didn’t get to see him much. Hopefully, we can keep him at full strength this year and keep him healthy,” Coffin said. 

Coming back also is senior quarterback Jose Mendoza, who dazzled with his big play ability. 

“We’ll trying to balance our offense more, throwing the ball. We have some good skill guys at receiver. Anyway to balance will help our young line,” Coffin said. 

Leading the way last year was a senior dominated offensive line. Only one player returns. Coffin said he has some young guys ready to step up. 

“We’re going to be a young line with mostly sophomores and juniors. The guys have stepped up. Arthur Drake is our only returning offensive lineman. Hunter Reinhart is a sophomore who will be playing center. He’s anchoring the line, doing a great job. They did a great job at camp,” Coffin said. “I’m sure people will try to blitz a lot and mix it up. We’ll see how they hold together.”

Defense is going to be a strength, Coffin said. They have a lot of speed and defensive line featuring of a lot of big boys. 

“They did well at camp putting pressure on quarterbacks. Our DBs is one our better groups. The linebackers are running sideline to sideline. It’s been fun to watch,” Coffin said. 

As for the league, Coffin expects it to be pretty even again with Okanogan and Cashmere. He felt the league, as a whole, was pretty young last season and not real strong. This season should be much improved. 

He likes the schedule, and hopes they can get off to a good start. 

“I think we have a pretty good schedule the way it is set up. We’re just excited to get going on these non-league games. We had a rough start last year, losing three of five non-league games. I know they’re excited to see where things are at and get started with non-league,” Coffin said. 

Cascade opened the season at East Valley of Yakima. Results were not available before press time. Next up for the Kodiaks, their home opener against Stanfield of Oregon. Last season, Stanfield beat Cascade 43-20. 

Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.