Already starring on the CWAC football fields, a few East Valley players have taken to the small screen this fall.

Red Devils quarterback Jaxon Berg and offensive Swiss Army Knife/linebacker Cody Gasseling are appearing in a commercial for a Yakima glass company. The seniors, along with other teens, are shown playing a pickup football game in the park.

The hook, which made EV coach and Jaxon’s father Eric Berg chuckle, is that the senior QB throws a wayward pass that goes through a window, drawing looks of dismay from his cohorts – particularly Gasseling.

The younger Berg has been on target this season, completing better than 70% of his passes for more than 1,100 yards with 14 touchdowns against just two interceptions after the fifth-ranked Red Devils beat defending league champion Othello on Friday to improve to 5-0 and gain the inside track for their first CWAC title since 2004.

Gasseling has done everything on offense, relieving star running back Braden Albrecht, while also hauling in 14 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns.

Other East Valley players in the commercial included standout receiver/defensive back Greyson Stevens and linebacker Griffin Ramos.

Kelly Gasseling, Cody’s mother, is the president of a Yakima advertising firm, helping pave the way for the Red Devils’ commercial debut.

Small schools, big atmosphere

The Class 1A showdown last Friday between top-ranked and five-time defending champion Royal and No. 2 Cashmere at David Nielsen Memorial Field in Royal City had the feel of the grand stage.

“This was a heavyweight battle and we didn’t come out on top but that doesn’t mean the fight is over,” Cashmere coach Bryan Bremer said after his team pushed the Knights to overtime before falling 21-15.

Spectators lined the fence surrounding the artificial-turf field after the bleachers filled up Friday.

The Bulldogs, who hadn’t been scored on coming into the game, took an 8-0 lead in the second quarter that edge last until the last couple minutes of the third, when Royal tied the score.

After the teams exchanged fourth quarter scores, the game went to overtime.

“That was a fun one obviously, not a fun one to not be on top, but a fun one to compete in,” Bremer said. “You talk about small school environment, come on, it is the mecca.”

Friday’s game could be the first of two games between the SCAC rivals. Last year they met in the state semifinals, and Royal won both matchups.

Opposites about to attract

Unbeaten and seventh-ranked Moses Lake travels to Eastmont in 10 days in a matchup that will likely decide the CBBN championship for the third straight season.

In 2023, the Wildcats defense slowed then-sophomore quarterback Brady Jay to win the conference, while a year ago, the Mavericks slowed the Wildcats’ ground attack to win the CBBN.

The teams are again using offensive approaches. More than 85% of Moses Lake’s yards come through the air, while Eastmont rushes for 83% if its yards.