Hockinson Hawks: 2019 Washington high school 2A football preview

Here's an inside look at the 2A Hockinson Hawks. Links: Hockinson team page | 2019 schedule |Roster 2018 IN REVIEW 13-0 overall, 6-0 in 2A Greater St. Helens

Here's an inside look at the 2A Hockinson Hawks.

Links: Hockinson team page | 2019 schedule |Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

13-0 overall, 6-0 in 2A Greater St. Helens League (first place); beat Lynden in the 2A state championship, 42-37.

COACHING RESUME

Rick Steele, 15th season

95-47 record

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 7. Defense - 7.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

QB Levi Crum 6-1, 188, Sr.

WR Peyton Brammer 6-5, 210, Sr. 

OL Nathan Balderas 6-4, 325, Sr.

OL Takumi Veley 6-0, 235, Sr.

TE Jeremiah Faulstick 6-3, 225, Sr.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

DL Nathan Balderas 6-4, 325, Sr.

LB Cody Wheeler 5-11, 215, Soph.

LB Cam Thelen 6-0, 220, Sr.

DB Peyton Brammer 6-5, 210, Sr.

LB Daniel Thompson 5-6, 170, Jr.

THREE TO SEE

Peyton Brammer, wide receiver/defensive back

Will step up as the main target in the wake of Sawyer Racanelli’s season-ending injury. The Hawks’ top player on both sides of the ball. Had 20 touchdowns and 1,018 yards receiving last year, according to The Columbian.

Levi Crum, quarterback

All-state honorable mention as a junior. Threw for 3,838 yards passing on 63.3 percent completion percentage opposite six interceptions and 56 total touchdowns, per MaxPreps.

Nathan Balderas, lineman

Imposing force on the offensive and defensive lines. The centerpiece of an experienced Hockinson front.

OUTLOOK

Hockinson is the two-time defending Washington 2A state champion and is gunning to be the first team to three-peat since Lynden from 2011-2013.

Losing reigning 2A state player of the year Sawyer Racanelli was certainly a blow, but the Hawks return seven starters on each side of the ball, and many big pieces who contributed to both state championship seasons. 

That starts with Peyton Brammer, a dynamic two-day player who steps up as the Hawks’ top target — and one of the top wideouts in the state. And Hockinson will boast an experienced offensive line to match its talented skill positions.

That should give second-year starting quarterback Levi Crum, who received all-state honorable mention, ample opportunity to build on his nearly 4,000 yard season — his first as a starter.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept 6: at Toppenish, 7:00 p.m.

Sept. 13: Archbishop Murphy, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: at R.A. Long, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: Columbia River, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: at Woodland, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11: at Mark Morris, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18: BYE

Oct. 25: Washougal, 7 p.m.

Nov. 1: Ridgefield, 7 p.m.

*home games in bold