Hawks are 3-0 heading into this week’s matchup with Ridgefield

Hockinson Hawks (3-0, 1-0 2A GSHL)

Week 1: Hockinson 42, La Center 6

Week 2: Hockinson 42, Prairie 6

Week 3: Hockinson 49, Woodland 27

Next: Ridgefield at Hockinson, 7 p.m. Friday

The Hawks avenged a loss to Woodland from last year, never trailing this time in a high-scoring contest.

Plays that led to The Plays:

There were 11 touchdowns in this game total, so I thought it would be fun to highlight a play or two that led to the touchdowns. (Doing the same for Woodland in its report.)

• No. 1: Hockinson defensive back Wesley Kainu used one hand to try to gain control of a Woodland pass and then was able to secure the ball on his way to the ground for an interception on the first series of the game. That led to Peyton Brammer’s one-handed touchdown reception from Canon Racanelli.

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  No. 2: On third-and-long, Racanelli escapes pressure and tries to run for a first down. He has the yardage but he fumbles. No problem for Hockinson. Jake Beslanowitch, who was blocking downfield, was first to react. The offensive fumble recovery saved the drive.

• No. 3: (Here is where I remind the readers again that I was told in August that Racanelli would showcase his legs this year, not just his arm.) Yes, Racanelli had a 6-yard run on one third-and-short play and an 8-yard run for another third-down conversion on this drive.
• No. 4: Shout out to the officials. A Hockinson player was tackled, the ball came loose, and a Woodland player picked it up and was on his way to the end zone for a defensive touchdown. However, the official ruled the Hockinson player was down. Sure looks like a good call on the video.
• No. 5: A combo of 3 and 4. Racanelli, under center this time, used a traditional quarterback sneak to convert one third down. And there was another fumble on this drive that could have gone either way. The ball was fumbled near the goal line, out of bounds. Woodland had hoped the ball went over, or beyond, the pylon, which would have meant a touchback and Woodland ball. The official, who was right there in solid position, ruled the ball sailed out of bounds before the pylon, inside the 1-yard line. From the press-box video angle, impossible to say for certain but if I had to say one way or the other, it looked to be the right call again.
• No. 6: Matt Henry with a 30-yard reception from Racanelli and then Racanelli with another scramble, this time to the 1-yard line.
• No. 7: A great fourth-down catch with a defender all over him. Could not see the number but I believe it was Beslanowitch. … Earlier in that drive, my favorite, nobody-would-really-notice play of the game: Aidan Mallory caught a ball and looked certain to be tackled for a gain of 3 yards. Instead, he put his hand on the turf to maintain balance, spun, and dove for four more yards, giving him a gain of 7. That might not seem like much, but to a play-caller, second-and-3 is a lot easier than second-and-7. Plus, it showed great fight by Mallory in a game that likely was over anyway. Hockinson led by 15 at the time and was going in for touchdown No. 7.

Coach Speak:

What did Rick Steele learn about his team in Week 3? “We have lots of weapons. The offense worked very well tonight both running and throwing. We still have work to do, but I was happy with our improvement from the week before. Our defense was big as well. We are fast and physical, and we hope to get back to where we were a few years ago.”

MVPs on offense: Canon Racanelli and Peyton Brammer. “Have to pick both of them,’’ Steele said. “Brammer had a big night. The kid is an awesome receiver but you always hear about our other big-time receiver. Canon threw for over 300 yards and rushed for over a hundred for six total touchdowns. What can I say?”

MVPs on defense: Colton Wheeler and Jake Beslanowitch. “(Wheeler) saw his first action of the year due to injury,’’ Steele said. “He is the man in the middle for us. The defense is built around him. He is one of the best linebackers we have ever had here. Jake Beslanowitch also had a huge game at outside backer. He is a big-time player and he showed it on Friday night.”

Thoughts on Week 4 vs. Ridgefield: “Ridgefield always plays us tough, and we must be ready for a physical game,’’ Steele said. “They have a quality quarterback, running back, and tight end. We will continue to work on our offense and defense to get them where we need to be as a team.”