Hockinson routs Archbishop Murphy 42-13

EVERETT — Big moment, big stage, big game, big win.

What message did the Hockinson Hawks send to the state Thursday night with their 42-13 victory over Archbishop Murphy?

The Class 2A power is shifting south.

“After this night,” junior Sawyer Racanelli said, “we made a statement to the state. … If you want to win the state championship, you have to go through us.”

The calendar might’ve read Sept. 6, but Thursday’s regionally televised tilt at Terry Ennis Stadium featured all the makings of a late-season playoff tilt between Class 2A championship contenders ranked in the top 5 of numerous statewide rankings.

Hockinson’s now defeated two perennial state powers in its last three games dating back to the 2017 finale. First, a Tumwater team in last year’s state championship game, then an Archbishop Murphy program Thursday that since 2010, has reached at least the state semifinals in every season but one, including three state title-game appearances. The last one — a state championship in 2016 — capped an undefeated season in which five opponents forfeited games against the Wildcats.

After three early lead changes, it was all Hawks after that scoring 28 unanswered points and a defense shutting out the Wildcats from the 7-minute, 52-second mark of the second quarter with four sacks, two fumble recoveries, and two  interceptions.

They put up 532 total yards, including 376 passing yards from junior quarterback Levi Crum. The first-year starter completed 27 of 36 passes and six touchdowns to four different receivers. He also led the Hawks in rushing yards (102).

Racanelli and Peyton Brammer combined for 20 catches and four touchdowns. Racanelli’s 18-yard touchdown with 3 minutes left in the third gave the Hawks their largest lead as they finished the game scoring 28 unanswered points.

Murphy’s last scoring drive ended on a Max Henderson 32-yard field goal with 7:52 left in the first half. That was the second time in the game Hockinson’s red zone defense held the Wildcats to a field goal. The first came on Murphy’s first offensive series when it took a 3-0 lead.

Leading 35-13 at halftime, the Hawks’ offense scored touchdowns on its final four first-half drives. Crum connected touchdown passes to Wyatt Jones (19 yards), Nick Frichtl (16), Racanelli (23) and Peyton Brammer (25). It was Brammer’s interception return for a big gain inside Archbishop Murphy territory that led to his second touchdown reception of the half two plays later.

Hockinsons defense held the Wildcats (1-1) to 113 rushing yards. Mason Mathis took the majority of the snaps at tail back after the injury to Josiah Santiago, who left early in the first quarter after what Wildcats coach Jerry Jensen said was a broken collarbone. He had 57 yards rushing on six carries.

Hockinson’s winning streak is now 16 straight dating back to last season’s undefeated run. Coach Rick Steele said 14 years worth of building led to not only a 2017 state championship, but also a victory such as Thursday.

“Going into games like this in the distant past,” Steele said, “we’d go into this game hoping we’d win. Not tonight and not last year, we’re going to win, and that’s huge.”

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HOCKINSON 42, ARCHBISHOP MURPHY 13

Hock 7 28 7 7 – 42

ATM 3 10 0 0 – 13

First quarter

ATM — Max Henderson 22 FG

H — Peyton Brammer 33 pass from Levi Crum (Nick Charles kick)

Second quarter

ATM — Dillon Halpin 26 pass from Victor Gabalis (Henderson)

H — Wyatt Jones 19 pass from Crum (Charles kick)

ATM — Henderson 32 FG

H — Nick Frichtl 16 pass from Crum (Charles kick)

H — Sawyer Racanelli 23 pass from Crum (Charles kick)

H — Brammer 25 pass from Crum (Charles kick

Fourth quarter

H — Racanelli 18 pass from Crum (Charles kick)