Central Washington University football has been building toward a moment like this — a season where culture, resilience, and years of knocking on the door finally collide with opportunity. The Wildcats enter the NCAA Division II Playoffs at 10–1, champions of the Lone Star Conference, and hosting their first postseason game since 2017. For head coach Chris Fisk, this moment represents something far bigger than one dramatic win or one championship trophy.

“It’s a culmination of a lot of work,” Fisk said. “We’ve been working at this thing in the Lone Star Conference for so long… three consecutive second-place finishes… to finally break through is gratifying.”

Their breakthrough came in storybook fashion — a last-second touchdown connection between quarterback Kennedy McGill and wide receiver Logan Brady to defeat Western Oregon and secure the outright LSC title.

It was the sort of moment programs remember for decades. And yet, as Fisk and his team reiterated all week, the celebration was brief. Because in Ellensburg, November football is just getting started.

Since entering the Lone Star Conference, CWU has become one of its most stable forces. Four straight seasons finishing near the top finally culminated in the Wildcats’ first LSC championship — and their first playoff appearance since 2022. More importantly, CWU earned the right to host.

Fisk learned long ago not to take that for granted.

After arriving in 2016, he watched the Wildcats go undefeated in 2017 and earn the No. 1 seed in the region — only to lose a heartbreaking overtime playoff game.

“I took it for granted in 2017,” he said. “It’s really hard to win a conference championship at this level… really hard to host a playoff game.”

This 2024 team made its run with unwavering belief and remarkable depth. CWU sustained injuries at key positions yet never wavered.

“I’m blown away by these kids,” Fisk said. “Our backups come in and there’s no drop-off.”

That resilience was tested repeatedly throughout LSC play — and each time, the Wildcats responded.

Trailing late against Western Oregon with the conference title on the line, CWU needed a perfect final drive. They got it.

On the final snap, McGill rolled out, scanned the field, and found Brady alone in the back of the end zone — the result of a coverage bust created by CWU’s unique personnel look.

“We had two quarterbacks on the field… we’ve had some shenanigans this year,” Fisk said, smiling. “They blew a coverage, and Kennedy found Logan.”

For Brady, time slowed down.

“I found a nice patch of grass and hoped McGill saw me,” Brady said. “I saw his eyes light up and he hit me.”

Despite CWU’s run-heavy offensive style, McGill has been nearly flawless when the Wildcats ask him to throw. Fisk notes that the public doesn’t always see how capable he is.

“We don’t ask Kennedy to throw often,” Fisk said. “Doesn’t mean he can’t do it really, really well when we need him to.”

The moment wasn’t too big for McGill.

“The pressure fades away on the field,” McGill said. “You take a deep breath, focus on the play, and make it when your team needs you.”

Meet the Opponent: Western Colorado — Again

Familiarity defines CWU’s first-round matchup. For the third straight season, the Wildcats and Western Colorado Mountaineers meet in the playoffs — a true rubber match, as Fisk joked.

Both programs share opponents, history, and respect.

Western Colorado brings one of Division II’s top passing attacks, led by a senior quarterback CWU has seen for three straight seasons. The Mountaineers also deploy an aggressive 3–3–5 defense that blitzes from everywhere.

“To have the type of season they want, they need a playoff run,” Fisk warned. “They’re a hungry fighter… we can’t come out soft. These Washington kids work just as hard as the FBS and FCS kids. They deserve an audience.”

Kickoff is Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium in Ellensburg.