Mount Si Football Game: The 5 Biggest Takeaways From The Wildcats' Challenging 2025 Season And 2026 Outlook

Contents
The Mount Si High School football program, a growing tradition in the Snoqualmie Valley, has just wrapped up a challenging yet pivotal 2025 season, concluding with a 3-7 overall record. As of late December 2025, the focus has already shifted to the 2026 campaign, with the Wildcats aiming to leverage the experience gained from a demanding schedule and a few key victories to propel them forward. Under the leadership of Head Coach Steve Botulinski, the team showed flashes of brilliance, including a massive shutout victory, while navigating one of the toughest high school football leagues in Washington State. The 2025 season was a true test of the team's "unity and grit," a mantra adopted by the program, as they faced perennial powerhouses and a highly competitive KingCo schedule. The final weeks of the season, which saw the Wildcats fall to Richland High School in the final game on November 7, 2025, have set the stage for a critical off-season. This deep dive into the Mt Si football game landscape explores the key players, coaching staff, game-by-game analysis, and the optimistic outlook for the future, highlighting the entities that define this Snoqualmie Valley program.

The Mount Si Wildcats 2025 Season Roster and Coaching Staff

The Mount Si Wildcats are based in Snoqualmie, Washington, and compete in the highly competitive 4A KingCo Conference. The 2025 season saw a blend of experienced seniors and promising underclassmen take the field, providing a foundational experience for the years to come. The coaching staff, led by a new era of leadership, focused on developing talent and fostering a resilient team culture.

Key Player Entities (2025 Roster Highlights)

The strength of the Mount Si program rests on its individual talent, many of whom earned post-season recognition. A total of nine Mount Si athletes were named to the 2025–26 All-KingCo Football Teams, a testament to the individual performance even in a challenging year. Key players who made significant impacts included:

  • Dawson Ribary: A senior leader and primary threat in the ground game, expected to take most of the carries.
  • Cash Costello: A core member of the varsity team, providing essential playmaking.
  • Zach Hillblom: Another senior running back who shared the load in the backfield.
  • Brayden Malcom: A consistent presence on the roster, contributing to both offense and defense.
  • Jayden Shumate: Known for his versatility and commitment to the Wildcat program.
  • Connor Engel: A key player whose performance was vital in the team's three victories.
  • Colton Stiles & Nash Willamson: Two promising sophomores who provided depth and experience in the receiving corps, indicating a bright future for the passing game.
  • Cooper Dieringer (Senior) & Henry Espeland (Junior): Other key varsity members providing veteran presence.

Coaching Staff Entities

The 2025 season was a transitional one, ushered in by a new head coach focused on revitalizing the program's competitive edge.

  • Head Coach: Steve Botulinski (New Head Coach, looking to make a splash with a talented roster).
  • Offensive Coordinator: Jason Wilmot (Focusing on the Quarterbacks).
  • Defensive Coordinator: Brian Tawney (Also serving as Freshman Head Coach and Linebackers coach).
  • Assistant Coaches: Bruce Hasson, Randy Griffin, and Brett Bergstrom.

The 2025 Season Recap: Highs, Lows, and Defining Moments

The 3-7 overall record for the Mount Si Wildcats tells only part of the story. The team's schedule was notoriously difficult, featuring matchups against some of the state’s top-ranked programs. The season was characterized by moments of significant offensive and defensive execution, punctuated by tough lessons against elite competition.

The Dominant Victory: Wildcat Offense Explodes

The undisputed highlight of the 2025 campaign was the dominant victory over Redmond High School. On Friday, October 31, 2025, the Wildcats delivered a spectacular performance, winning with a decisive score of 69-0 at Mount Si High School. This game showcased the full potential of the Wildcat offense, demonstrating their ability to execute consistently and defensively shut down an opponent entirely. This kind of performance is what the team will build upon as they look to the 2026 season.

Rivalry Showdowns and Tough KingCo Losses

The KingCo Conference is a gauntlet, and the Wildcats faced significant challenges from established rivals. The game against Bellevue High School on September 26, 2025, was a defining moment. Mount Si showed exceptional promise early on, even taking an early lead, which stirred the homecoming crowd with hopes of an upset. However, the Bellevue Wolverines ultimately proved too strong, pulling away to win 33-9. This game, though a loss, highlighted the team's potential to compete with the best, especially in the first quarter.

Other key results from the 2025 season included:

  • A narrow 17-21 loss to Mount Tahoma.
  • A crucial 28-10 victory over Woodinville, demonstrating their ability to win key conference matchups.
  • A hard-fought 7-16 loss to Eastlake.
  • The final game, a tough 0-41 defeat against Richland High School, officially closed the 2025 season.

The 2026 Outlook: Unity, Grit, and the Path to a Rebound Season

With the 2025 season officially in the books as of mid-December, the Mount Si football program is already focused on the future. The team is positioned to rebound from the 3-7 record, leveraging the experience of a new coaching staff and the development of key underclassmen.

Focus on Off-Season Development

The primary narrative for the 2026 season is "Unified and Unstoppable," emphasizing a renewed focus on team cohesion and physical toughness. The challenging 2025 schedule served as an invaluable learning experience, particularly for the younger players who stepped into significant roles, such as sophomores Colton Stiles and Nash Willamson in the receiving corps. The team will look to solidify its performance on both sides of the ball, particularly in consistency against top-tier opponents.

Key Areas for Improvement

The transition period under Head Coach Steve Botulinski is expected to bear fruit in the upcoming season. The team will aim to improve upon its overall showing by focusing on:

  • Defensive Consistency: While the defense pitched a shutout against Redmond, maintaining that intensity against powerful KingCo offenses will be paramount.
  • Ground Game Execution: Relying on the senior leadership of running backs like Dawson Ribary and Zach Hillblom was a key strategy in 2025. The 2026 season will require developing more depth and versatility in the run game.
  • Converting Early Leads: The ability to start strong, as seen in the Bellevue game, needs to be paired with the tenacity to finish against tough opponents.

Anticipated 2026 Season Kickoff

While the full 2026 schedule is not finalized, the Wildcats traditionally kick off their season in early September. The 2025 season opened on September 5, and fans can expect a similar timeframe for the 2026 return to the gridiron. The community’s support in Snoqualmie Valley remains a vital component of the program's identity, with high hopes for a successful rebound season that re-establishes Mount Si as a dominant force in the 4A KingCo Conference.

Mount Si Football Game: The 5 Biggest Takeaways From the Wildcats' Challenging 2025 Season and 2026 Outlook
mt si football game
mt si football game

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