Hockinson continues to fine-tune for postseason

HOCKINSON — In preparing for another postseason run, Hockinson’s football team has worked on various formations and shifted personnel in recent weeks in anticipation for what’s ahead.

That, too, has meant players stepping up in different roles, including Friday’s 34-16 home victory of Washougal.

Hockinson (7-1 overall, 5-0 2A Greater St. Helens League) is now winners of six straight since dropping its Week 2 nonleague game to Archbishop Murphy. It can be seven straight — and six consecutive league titles — should it beat Ridgefield next week in the team’s regular-season finale. That win comes with a No. 1 seed into the postseason.

And defense proved the difference maker Friday, holding Washougal to one offensive touchdown.

“I thought it was a promising win,” said senior tight end Jeremiah Faulstick, who had the game’s opening touchdown on a 30-yard reception. “Our defense played really well. We had some mistakes that we can fix. We know we have to improve and it’s good to see.”

Despite a turnover — and penalty-filled game by both teams that included eight total takeaways — the Hawks led by as many as 34-10 and had three players score a combined five touchdowns. Two apiece by Makaio Juarez and Liam Mallory, plus the game’s opening score by Faulstick on a six-play, 50-yard drive.

The trio — the two receivers and Faulstick at tight end — combined for 14 catches and 309 yards. Quarterback Levi Crum passed for 384 on the night.

But the night didn’t go without a key injury to a star player.

Senior receiver and cornerback Peyton Brammer, who got his latest scholarship offer from Montana earlier this week, left the game inside 2 minutes remaining in the first quarter with a left knee injury following a successful 27-yard catch. He was carried off the sideline by the training staff and coaches.

He spent the second half watching his teammates from the sideline in street clothes. Brammer said he took a helmet to the knee on the tackle, and added he’ll be evaluated next week. Crum, the quarterback, filled in for Brammer on defense to conclude the game.

That just goes back to the next-man-up-mentality. In June, the team lost Washington-bound Sawyer Racanelli, the reigning 2A state player of the year, to a season-ending ACL injury.

“We’re hoping for the best,” Faulstick said, “but we have a lot of kids ready to step up. We have a lot of young kids that are ready to prove themselves.”

Washougal (4-4, 3-2) is locked in as the No. 3 seed into the postseason. It concludes the regular-season next week hosting R.A. Long.

Key moments

• Of Hockinson’s four offensive touchdowns (five total), two came on two plays apiece the final minute of the first half. Cody Wheeler’s interception and return set up the Hawks at the 21, followed by Mallory’s 21-yard score two plays later. After forcing an ensuing punt by Washougal, Juarez scored his second touchdown of the night on second down for an 80-yard score on second and 4.

• Despite allowing 16 points, Hockinson’s defense allowed just one offensive touchdown. It came on Peter Boylan’s 7-yard run in the fourth. Tanner Coons’ fumble return for a 30-yard score came in the first minute of the third quarter.

• Hockinson led 20-3 at halftime. Washougal’s best chance at the end zone the first half ended with a 23-yard field goal by Boylan with 4:49 left in the half. A penalty and 20-yard first-down catch by Brevan Bea led to a first-and-goal at the 7. Three plays later, Hockinson’s defense held Washougal to a field goal.

Key players

Makaio Juarez, Hockinson: The slot receiver had a game-high 134 yards on three catches and accounted for the longest touchdown play of the game with his 80-yard catch and run.

Liam Mallory, Hockinson: The sophomore had a career-high seven catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns. His 40-yard interception return for a touchdown pushed Hockinson’s lead to 34-10.

Brevan Bea, Washougal: The senior led the Panthers in tackles Friday in addition to a team-best 86 yards receiving on five catches.

HOCKINSON 34, WASHOUGAL 16

Washougal 0 3 7 6–16

Hockinson 12 15 7 0–34

First quarter

H — Jeremiah Faulstick 30 pass from Levi Crum (kick failed)

H — Makaio Juarez 44 pass from Crum (pass failed)

Second quarter

W — Peter Boylan 23 FG

H — Liam Mallory 21 pass from Crum (Mallory pass from Crum)

H — Juarez 80 pass from Crum (Troy Visnius kick)

Third quarter

W — Tanner Coons 30 fumble recovery (Boyle kick)

H — Mallory 40 interception return (Visnius kick)

Fourth quarter

W — Boylan 7 run (pass failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Washougal: Dalton Payne 2-6, Brevan Bea 3-10, Peter Boylan 13-67; Hockinson: Liam Mallory 1-(minus 14), Daniel Thompson 13-63, Cody Wheeler 5-12, Levi Crum 3-7, Makaio Juarez 2-9.

PASSING — Washougal: Dalton Payne 16-32-4-133; Hockinson: Levi Crum 20-31-2-384.

RECEIVING — Washougal: Brevan Bea 5-86, Jakob Davis 3-13, Judson Mansfield 5-31, Peter Boylan 1-3; Hockinson: Peyton Brammer 3-36, Jeremiah Faulstick 4-82, Makaio Juarez 3-134, Liam Mallory 7-93, Andre Northrup 1-3, Chase Roush 1-39.