By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
TURNER, Ore.– Last Fall’s success that led to their 13-0 undefeated and 4A State Championship ride could be chalked up as them just holding each other accountable.
That accountability, while at time might be harsh to get them back on track, other times were positive as the Cascade Football pieced together a rather dominant season in 2025.
“We just worked as a team and kept each other in line. If someone was mouthing off, we tell them to knock it off and bring them back in. That really helped us and having guys like Josaih (Hawkins and BK (Bryce Kuenzi) running the ball, keeping us up if we messed up, they had your back and tell you to keep going,” said Sabby Hlavinka.
And in 2026, much is the same for the squad as the first day of practice kicked off Monday. With their first ‘official’ practice starting Monday morning with another one in the afternoon, the Cougars are looking to build upon that standard entering this year.
“That standard, that standard is through the roof now. Last year, we competed, but this year we got to step it up ten times more to see where it takes us. If it leads us to the Championship, great,” said Josaiah Hawkins.
Cascade will be looking to fill the void and retool after seeing the 4A Player of the Year (Kuenzi) and Defensive Player of the Year (Matthew Hinkle) graduate after winning the Title. But they do return some pieces entering this year.
Hawkins was a first-team All-State Wide Receiver and first-team All-State Defensive Back. Hlavinka was a second-team All-State Offensive Lineman and Jamison Walsh was also an All-State returner for Cascade. They also saw All-State kids in Travis Conklin and Wyatt Kerigan transfer in from Stayton this year. They got some big shoes to fill, but the squad is liking where they’re at entering the first week of the season.
“Some of those holes we can’t fully fill, I’m going to be honest,” laughs Hawkins. “But we’re doing our best to fill those spots and we’ve done a pretty good job at it and the coaches are too. We’re going to be really, really solid this year and I like how it’s looking.”
Cascade will open the season with three-straight road games against Crescent Valley, Sandy and Central before hosting Molalla on September 25. Each game this year, the Cougars will be getting everyone’s best shot knowing they got the winning streak and they got that ‘defending State Champions’ next to their name.
But that’s the name of the game, it’s part of football. And it’s going to be something they’re going to embrace this Fall when that first kickoff comes around.
“That’s what football is all about, that’s what it’s made for. Pushing people past their limits and see where it takes them,” said Hlavinka.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
