Montesano Stuns Cashmere to Reach Washington 1A Football Final Four — Bulldogs’ 4th Trip in 5 Years

Montesano, WA—The tiny Timber-town with a giant sports heart is surging into statewide headlines again as the Montesano Bulldogs girls soccer team clinches its fourth trip to the WIAA 1A Final Four in just five seasons, a feat no other public school in the classification has matched. Saturday’s 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Cashmere came courtesy of junior striker Jaelyn Butterfield, whose 55th-minute volley—assisted by senior captain Lex Stanfield—ignited a roar that rolled from Jack Rottle Field through downtown Montesano and onto social media timelines statewide. Head coach Fidel Sanchez, already celebrated locally for turning multi-sport athletes into year-round competitors, praised his roster’s resilience: “Four out of five Final Fours is unheard of for a public school; our girls are studs.” Stat sheets back the bravado. Despite being out-shot 12-9, Montesano limited Cashmere to just three attempts on goal behind standout keeper Izzie Taylor and a back line anchored by Emilay Kuntz. The shutout was Taylor’s second of the postseason and 11th this year, pushing the Bulldogs’ season mark to 16-2-2. Next up is a semifinal showdown Friday night at Federal Way Memorial Stadium against top-seeded Cedar Park Christian—the lone team to defeat Montesano during the regular season, and a match played without Butterfield or Stanfield on the pitch. “They better remember we were short-handed,” Stanfield quipped after the win, setting the stage for a revenge narrative fans are already dubbing “Monte’s Payback.” Economic ripple effects are following the Bulldogs’ title quest. Local businesses along Main Street report double-digit sales bumps during playoff weekends, while hotel rooms in nearby Aberdeen and Elma are booking up fast. The Montesano Chamber of Commerce has erected maroon-and-gray banners and coordinated a send-off parade to capitalize on visitor traffic and community pride. The Final Four berth also amplifies a broader sports renaissance in Grays Harbor County. Just hours before Butterfield’s strike, Montesano’s football squad dismantled Tenino to advance to the 1A gridiron quarterfinals, giving the town simultaneous deep postseason runs. From packed bleachers to bustling cafés, the energy is palpable. Long-time resident Sheila Morgan put it simply: “When Monte wins, the whole Harbor wins.” With a potential championship weekend on the horizon, all eyes—and search engines—now turn to Federal Way, where the Bulldogs aim to turn years of near-misses into golden hardware and cement Montesano’s status as Washington’s small-town sports powerhouse.