Eisenhower vs Eastmont Football Preview: Undefeated Wildcats Host Cadets
Friday night in East Wenatchee will feature two programs on completely different trajectories colliding under the lights. On Friday, October 2, at 7:00 p.m., Eisenhower vs Eastmont football will headline the valley as the undefeated Wildcats look to continue their offensive rampage against a rebuilding Cadets squad desperate for a spark.
Eastmont’s Championship Pedigree and Explosive Start
The Wildcats are sitting at a flawless 4-0, and the energy surrounding the program is palpable. The arrival of Head Coach Rory Rosenbach has brought a heavy championship pedigree to East Wenatchee. Rosenbach, who built the Glacier Peak program from scratch and led Union to an undefeated 4A state title in 2018, has Eastmont firing on all cylinders. He is joined by long-time Eastmont coach Omar Figueroa, who continues to anchor a physical unit as Defensive Coordinator.
Eastmont’s offense has been nothing short of spectacular out of the gate. They opened the season by routing Issaquah 57-19 on the road, followed that with a gritty 30-24 victory over Southridge, then beat Sunnyside 49-6, and most recently outgunned Post Falls (Idaho) 53-31.
Directing this high-scoring attack is senior quarterback Peyton Zelinski. Wearing #1, Zelinski has been a steady, lethal presence, accumulating 717 passing yards over the first four games. On the ground, senior Javin Britton (RB/MLB) has emerged as a breakout star, averaging a team-high 91.8 rushing yards per game. He is complemented by junior fullback Austin Zelinski, a bruising, highly efficient runner who punishes opposing defensive fronts.
Defensively, junior Conley McGinnis (CB/QB) is showcasing incredible versatility, currently leading the team in tackles while also taking reps on offense. Up front, senior defensive end Donivon Torres is the primary edge disruptor, consistently creating pressure and leading the team in sacks.
Eisenhower Fighting Through Adversity
On the opposing sideline, the Eisenhower Cadets are battling through a profoundly difficult stretch. Sitting at 0-4 and carrying a 14-game losing streak, the program has not seen a winning season since 2015 or a state playoff berth since 2009.
Head Coach Adam Wright, now in his second year at the helm, is working tirelessly to change the culture. Wright is a true, loyal Cadet. A 2000 Eisenhower graduate and former lineman, he has held nearly every possible assistant position under previous head coaches Greg Gavin, Dan Eyman, and Gary Jimenez.
The Cadets’ primary struggle in 2026 has been generating consistent offense. They have found the end zone for a total of just 28 points across their first four games, suffering two shutouts along the way. While the Eisenhower defense has shown flashes of grit and kept them in contention during key stretches, the offense simply hasn’t been able to capitalize.
To compound their challenges, Eisenhower is dealing with bad injury luck, including the devastating loss of All-Conference linebacker Antonio Castillo, who is out for the rest of the season.
What to Watch Under the Lights
For Eisenhower to compete on Friday night, they will need to find offensive rhythm quickly and control the clock to keep Eastmont’s explosive playmakers off the field. For Eastmont, the goal is simple: protect their undefeated record, assert their dominance in the trenches, and continue building momentum under Rosenbach’s championship-caliber system.
Expect the Eastmont crowd to be loud and proud as they rally behind their 4-0 Wildcats.
Stay locked into the action all season long. Head over to our Eastmont Wildcats Football hub or Eisenhower Cadets Football hub for the latest team coverage.