If there was any doubt around the 2A Greater St. Helens League as to whether Hockinson was legit heading into last season, that was, well, put to rest.
The Hawks blew through the league on its way to an undefeated season, and a state championship.
Sure, it graduated eight all-league selections from last season, but ask around the league now and you won’t find any teams downplaying Hockinson’s talent.
“Hockinson is the team to beat right now,” Columbia River coach Christian Swain said. “Until somebody dethrones them, they hold that mantle.”
Deservedly so.
The Hawks bring back enough weapons to make it back to the Tacoma Dome, namely 6-foot-3 wide receiver Sawyer Racanelli and his 6-foot-5 counterpart Peyton Brammer.
The top-3 teams at the end of last season — Hockinson, Woodland and Columbia River — will likely be the same three this season, only the gap has narrowed in the top spot.
If coaches are going to nitpick the Hawks, they’ll point to the departure of a player as instrumental as Canon Racanelli.
“If anything that’s their unknown, their weakness,” Washougal coach Dave Hajek said. “You know they’ve got guys everywhere else. If you’re looking to attack their offense, that’s probably it, either by confusion or bringing pressure, see how he handles it.”
Hockinson has put the league — heck, the state — on watch, but Columbia River and Woodland seek to close the gap. River will field 32 seniors, many in their third year playing varsity.
“We feel like we have a great chance to win (league) this year and, like Hockinson did last year, make a run at state,” said Swain, whose Chieftains finished tied for second in league last season.
Also reloaded is Woodland.
The Beavers finished tied for second in league last season, return more than 20 seniors and moved its most dynamic player, Tyler Flanagan, under center.
Beavers coach Mike Woodward said the offense isn’t his biggest concern.
“I’ve always said you can have a dynamic offense, playmakers and score a bunch of points, but you have to play championship defense,” Woodward said.
R.A. Long returns all-league quarterback Owen Enriquez, and Washougal retains a few of its top athletes from last season, but it will be tough to break into the formidable top three.
Projected Finish
Picks by Columbian sports staff
1 — Hockinson: Do the Hawks bring back enough weapons to repeat?
2 — Woodland: Run-pass option should flourish with Tyler Flanagan at QB.
3 — Columbia River: Two capable QBs. Experienced defense. Will it be enough?
4 — Washougal: Retooled and refreshed, can Panthers mirror last season’s start?
5 — R.A. Long: Success rides on dynamic quarterback Owen Enriquez.
6 — Mark Morris: All signs point to an improved season.
7 — Ridgefield: New coach. New offense. Spudders hope to head in right direction.
