The stats jumped off the text from Cashmere coach Bryan Bremer, even when surrounded by the usual eye-popping numbers.

‘Grey Jacobson – 7 sacks.’

Those 7 sacks, the bulk of the 10 the team had, weren’t racked up against a bottom-feeder. These occurred during the Bulldogs’ 59-16 victory against Life Christian in Saturday’s Class 1A state quarterfinals.

A week before, the Eagles had traveled to Nooksack Valley, drubbing the Pioneers 35-7 behind more than 500 passing yards.

And Jacobson wasn’t picking on a heavy-footed quarterback, prone in the pocket. He was bringing down quite the dual-threat – Life Christian’s Jabez Boyd – who’s ranked as an athlete in one recruiting database, one of Washington’s top 50 recruits in the class of 2026.

“They came against some really good players, but I think Gray just wore them out,” Bremer said. “A lot of those sacks came on a second effort.”

That Jacobson was in position to make those plays Saturday, and every other one he’s made en route to winning the SCAC Defensive Player of the Year, might be a bit surprising.

In June, 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior-to-be broke his clavicle, derailing his preparation for a fall campaign.

Hardly the precursor you’d expect for an MVP season.

“That was a little depressing and sad,” Jacobson.

Further, there was a position change from linebacker to defensive end, which Jacobson hadn’t played.

Collarbone healed, though, Jacobson took to his new role quickly, helping Cashmere shutout its first four positions.

While he can be a handful to block, Jacobson has benefitted from the presence of conference Lineman of the Year Prin Fox.

The UNLV-pound tackle commands so much attention, Jacobson has been able to pile up 16 sacks this season.

“They have to throw two guys at Prin, so Gray can pin his ears back,” Bremer said. “People have to recognize where Prin is.”

While he’s been busy pursuing the carrier, the new role has kept Jacobson from being the carrier. A year ago he had more than 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

This season he has just one carry.

“He’s one of our best tailbacks,” Bremer said. “But I really need him to be special on defense. We really haven’t needed his production on offense.”

That works for Jacobson.

“I missed it at the start of the season,” he said. “I enjoy the defensive side, so it doesn’t matter.”

His attitude reflects Bremer’s celebrate-the-successes-of-teammates mandate.

After each big play, teammates swarm to congratulate the man of the moment.

There’s been so much revelry, even a seven-sack afternoon can get lost in the moment of the Bulldogs’ second straight trip to the state semifinals.

“I didn’t think about it that much, I’m playing with my buddies, my friends and just having fun,” Jacobson.

The Bulldogs get another chance to line up together Saturday, when second-seeded Cashmere (10-1) hosts No. 3 Mt. Baker (10-1) at 3 p.m. at Wenatchee’s Apple Bowl.

A victory would send the Bulldogs to the championship game for the first time since winning it all in 2008. They might also get a rematch with SCAC rival Royal.

The top-seeded Knights handed Cashmere its lone loss of the season, but Bremer believes that was the game Jacobson came into his own at defensive end.

“When we play the best teams, he plays his best,” Bremer said. “I’m not sure he really wanted to play defensive end at the start, but now he loves every second of it.”