Cascade Christian still king of 1A Nisqually football, 3 takeaways
TACOMA, Wash. - Cascade Christian continues to add to its longstanding legacy in the 1A Nisqually League.
Jack Tangen rushed for 116 yards and three first-half touchdowns, and the ninth-ranked Cougars all put wrapped up back-to-back league championships with a 36-13 victory Saturday over Life Christian Academy at Mount Tahoma Stadium.
Both teams were 5-1 coming into the game - and 2-0 in league play.
Since 2007, Cascade Christian has won or shared the league title an astounding 15 times. The Cougars should extend that streak to 16 over the next few weeks - especially after clearing their biggest hurdle Saturday night.
Tangen scored on runs of 4, 6 and 4 yards. His 6-yard score with 3:59 remaining in the first half was a much-needed answer to the Eagles' 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that had cut Cascade Christian's lead to 16-13.
And Tangen's final touchdown with 36.5 seconds to go in half put the Cougars up, 30-13.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
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JACKSON ALMOND HAS EXTRA INCENTIVE
Photo by Vince Miller
After Cascade Christian qualified for the WIAA playoffs for a 15th time last season, it took the No. 16 seed and had to travel to play at top-seeded and two-time defending state champion Royal.
But Jackson Almond injured his foot the week of the first-round Class 1A playoff game and the team's top playmaker at wide receiver was lost for the rest of the season.
Then in April, the family lost Michele Almond - Jackson's mother - who died after a long battle with leukemia. Michele could be seen at any past football game wearing her son's jersey.
Last week, Almond made his first career start at quarterback - at any level. He accounted for six touchdowns (five passing, one interception return) on a night the school promoted cancer awareness night.
With all that has happened, Almond has remained upbeat, steady and a positive influence in the huddle.
"It was difficult, for sure," Almond said. "But I have my brothers, and they love me - and they've made it way easier."
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CASCADE CHRISTIAN BETTER-EQUIPPED TO BE WIAA PLAYOFF FACTOR
Photo by Vince Miller
It's hard to believe, but the perennial state contenders have not won a state-playoff game since 2017.
But with its entire offensive line back, an effective three-headed rushing attack with Tangen, Kai Mingming and Byson Vasquez and an aggressive, opportunistic defense, the Cougars seem in better position to be bigger factors come November.
"We're just more senior-heavy with two- and three-year starters," Cascade Christian coach Devin Snyder said.
Almond's later-year transition to quarterback after being a 1,000-yard receiver a year ago could be the team's biggest X-factor. He certainly gives the offense its best signal-caller running component since Jaelin Goldsmith led the team to the Class 1A title in 2014.
"He is so dangerous as a runner," Snyder said.
But Almond has so little experience under center, Snyder said the evolution won't happen overnight - or in a few weeks.
"I am definitely a guy that likes to throw you in the fire to see what you can handle, and dial it back from there," Snyder said. "We did that … and he is eager to learn."
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LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY'S TIME IS SOON
Photo by Vince Miller
The spark of talent is plainly obvious at Life Christian on a team with just two seniors.
Quarterback Jabez Boyd has the talent - quick feet and strong arm - to become of one of the premier dual threats in the classification very soon. He showed all of that on his 39-yard first-quarter touchdown strike to Darius Imperial.
And Boyd has running mates: bullish running back Zack McKnight and pass catchers Julian Roso (who will also slide over to quarterback to let Boyd run a few routes), Champ Seumalo (80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown) and Imperial are all capable playmakers.
But the Eagles also looked like a team Saturday just not ready to go toe to toe for 48 minutes with a longstanding league champions, making critical mistakes and key junctures.
"Being such a young team, learning not how to beat ourselves, learning how to deal with the adversity within the game … it is something they will learn," second-year Life Christian coach Hershel Dennis said. "It is going to take games like this to grow from."
But given the Eagles weren't even competitive in this game a year ago - they lost 51-7 - the wide gap has shrunk considerably in one year.
"We have more guys ready to fight," Dennis said. "And when that happens, you will always have an opportunity."
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