The Hazen football team ran into a buzzsaw Friday night as the Cascade Christian Cougars rolled into Renton Memorial Stadium and showed why they are currently ranked 26th in the state, beating the Highlanders 42-7.

It was the third loss of the year for Hazen, who drop to 2-3 overall but remain 2-0 in the Seamount League

The Highlanders started with an onside kick they almost recovered, but the game went downhill from there. Cascade Christian scored on their second play of the game and never looked back, finishing the first quarter with a 28-0 lead.

By halftime Hazen was down 42-0. Cascade Christian’s defense led by Mason Tobeck and Damon Davis stifled Highlanders offense. They each had several big hits on WRs in the passing game to go with allowing less than 25 yards rushing.

Hazen played a spirited second half. According to coach David Kilpatrick-White, they managed a shutout on defense led by Parker Trewet’s consistent enthusiasm and energy and newcomer Fesili Wynn who “continued to play and hit hard.”

Kaleb Magee scored a touchdown on Hazen’s second drive of the half, but it was called back because the fake beat the officials along with the defense, according to the coach.

They managed another score in the fourth quarter on a pass from Nolan Hoover to Justin Anderson. Khalil Ali was also fun new addition to Hazen run offense when he was given a crease.

“We knew this game was going to be a challenge coming in, we have maybe the toughest non-conference schedule in the league. These games provide opportunities for us to test ourselves,” Kilpatrick-White said. We haven’t gotten the results we want, but it is teaching us to work harder and smarter.”

The Highlanders visit their cross-town rivals Renton at 7 p.m. Friday at Renton Memorial Stadium.