There’s a number of reasons why Canon Racanelli believes he’s found the perfect place to continue his football career.
The No. 1 reason, though? NCAA Division II Central Washington reminds the quarterback of Hockinson.
“The biggest thing,” he said Monday night, “is the family atmosphere.”
Racanelli, the Class 2A state player of the year after leading Hockinson to the 2A football state title in December, verbally committed to the Wildcats on Sunday following his official visit to the Ellensburg campus over the weekend.
He announced his commitment to the program on Twitter Monday night.
Racanelli chose Central over NAIA Southern Oregon, Valley City State University (North Dakota) and Missouri Valley College. The Wildcats’ scholarship offer came Jan. 4.
The recruiting process heated up for Racanelli after leading the Hawks to an undefeated season following the 35-22 state title-game win over Tumwater.
Racanelli, 6-foot, 180-pounds, said all four schools recruited him to play quarterback in a season which he threw for 4,128 yards and 57 touchdowns and rushed for 653 yards and 17 touchdowns.
His single-season and career passing marks also rank him in Washington’s top 10 lists.
Racanelli said he plans to redshirt the 2018 season, and added he’s excited to learn the ropes from a Clark County native at quarterback he’ll be following in the footsteps of — ex-Camas standout Reilly Hennessey, who guided the Wildcats to an 11-1 season that ended in the 2017 NCAA Division II championship first-round. Hennessey will be a senior this fall.
And that championship — and winning mentality — also is attracted Racanelli, who in four years at Hockinson, went 43-5 and was part of a program that won four straight 2A GSHL titles in addition to its inaugural state championship.
“I like winning,” he said, “and going to a winning program makes your eyes pop a bit.”
The official signing day is Feb. 7.
