Almond dominates QB debut with six TDs. He’s dedicating senior season to late mother
Jackson Almond spent three seasons as Cascade Christian’s wide receiver of choice — the unquestioned top option and “go-to” for the quarterbacks fortunate enough to call Almond their preferred target.
Almond was the state’s Class 1A leader with over 1,200 receiving yards in 2022, a career-best campaign that featured 12 receiving touchdowns and named him the 1A Nisqually League’s Offensive Player of the Year.
Throughout the offseason, coaches and assistants contemplated: How could they let Almond, their top play-maker, create more game-shattering plays?
Better yet, Snyder realized: “What if we gave him that chance every play?”
Now five weeks into this 2023 season — after Almond had posted a monster 11-146-1 receiving line in another breakout performance Sept. 29 — coach Devin Snyder had seen enough.
It was time to let Almond touch the ball on every offensive play at quarterback.
“When he’s playing receiver, I’m limited on how much I can get him the ball,” Snyder said. “We’ve been thinking about it all offseason long. It just felt like a better opportunity to let one of our best players touch the rock as often as possible.
“He’s going to keep defenses honest, being a dual-threat. We’re excited for him. We had plenty of depth at receiver, and it just felt like a good move for the team.”
Almond lives for the greatest moments, and when the lights are brightest. He embraces the added pressure on his shoulders.
And on Oct. 7 — Almond’s first-career start under center — the Cougars’ new QB1 struck magic.
Almond’s first-ever passing line: 214 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions. He completed 75 percent of his throws and quickly developed chemistry with new WR1 Maddox Miller, who grabbed three of Almond’s five touchdown passes.
Almond’s first touchdown went 55 yards to Miller, who broke free on a go-route and jogged home for an easy score. Snyder says it’s when Almond hit his groove, and the rout was officially on. He looked the part of a seasoned vet.
“We had Cade (Sando) as our quarterback last year, and I feel like I was his go-to,” Almond said. “So now, I feel like I’m in Cade’s position, and Maddox is my go-to.”
Almond’s on defense, too, lurking in Cascade Christian’s secondary as a first-team free safety. Saturday, Oct. 7, brought additional magic beyond his five-touchdown passing total — he jumped a Bellevue Christian out-route for an interception, scampering 44 yards untouched for a pick-six.
In his quarterbacking debut, Almond scored six total touchdowns. He orchestrated the 56-13 smashing of league rival Bellevue Christian, which kept his Cougars in a first-place tie in the 1A Nisqually standings.
“He’s always been athletic,” Snyder said. “He’s always been a good football player. A good nose for the game. His instincts and leadership have really improved this year. When we’re looking for a play, the other 10 guys in the huddle are returning to one guy, and Jackson has been that.”
ALMOND DEDICATES SENIOR SEASON TO MOM
Michele Almond was a devoted mother and fervent Cascade Christian supporter, in attendance for every game with Jackson’s number four on her jersey.
On April 10, 2023, Michele died of leukemia, surrounded by family. She was 57.
“She made me dinner every night I came home after practice,” Jackson said. “Late at night, she would stay up and help me with homework. She was at everything. She was at my basketball games, my football, my everything. Any sport, wearing my jersey.”
Instantly, teammates and coaches flocked to support Jackson. He received gifts and text messages voicing love and support.
“He wants to play hard for her, and honor her and his family,” Snyder said. “Jackson’s such a quiet guy when it comes to his personal life. I think a lot of guys forget what he’s gone through. Jackson doesn’t ever whine, or complain, or ask people to feel sorry for him.
“But knowing as a young man, he’s battled a lot. Something that you’d never wish for anybody to have to go through.”
Almond dedicated his senior season — every victory, every touchdown, and every game-breaking play — to Michele’s memory. Jackson’s six-touchdown performance was a fitting tribute on the school’s Cancer Awareness Night, and every bit inspiring for the team he has been tasked to lead.
How she would have loved to see her son at quarterback.
“She loved watching me play football,” Almond said. “I just try to make her proud.”
COUGARS ROLL INTO PIVOTAL MATCHUP
Almond’s the signal-caller. Miller’s the newest “go-to” target.
Who else makes up Cascade Christian’s undefeated roster?
6-foot-2 sophomore Preston Liberal anchors the offensive line, widely considered the best lineman from Cascade Christian in a decade. Reigning first-teamer Byson Vasquez is an all-purpose machine, both a hard-to-bring-down tailback and game-wrecking linebacker.
It’s a senior-heavy group with plenty of chemistry. Several teammates, Almond included, lined up alongside one another as early as seventh grade.
And there’s no shortage of energy.
“A big hit from Byson brings everybody up,” Almond said. “Everyone’s hyped. We just come together as a team, and we rally, and take on every opponent.”
Cascade Christian received the No. 16 seed in last year’s state tournament, an allocation they disagreed with. It resulted in an unfavorable matchup with top-seeded Royal and a 41-7 loss in the opening round Nov. 11.
“It was a sting, and a constant reminder all offseason long,” Snyder said. “And I think it’s pushed our guys in that direction.”
The 2023 standings reflect said success. Cascade Christian (5-1) continues to roll, having outscored opponents 130-13 in two league contests to date.
Up next? A pivotal, well-chronicled rivalry game at Life Christian Academy (5-1) that will permanently alter the 1A Nisqually landscape. Saturday’s contest between the last-remaining unbeatens gives the victor full control of its league title destiny.
“I’m ready to be challenged,” Almond said.
His second career start at quarterback arrives for the premier matchup of the season.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
“We have a long-standing rivalry with Life Christian dating back to when all of our coaches were playing here,” Snyder said. “There’s always a good meeting. Hershel (Dennis) has got a good thing going for that program. He’s a great guy, competitive. We like coaching against him.”
This story was originally published October 13, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
