Lost amid two undefeated seasons highlighted by gaudy numbers from elite skill position players was how successful Hockinson has been in the trenches. This year should be no different.
Led by seniors Nathan Balderas, Ki Haden and Takumi Veley, the Hawks boast the size and strength to bully teams up front. The offensive line averages 260 pounds.
“What I noticed is as the season progresses, we focus on technique and fundamentals,” Veley said of what’s made the line consistently successful. “It’s more than just hard knocks and hitting each other.”
The high-flying spread offense of the Hawks takes a certain amount of discipline and awareness from its linemen. The boys up front are what makes the rest of the engine hum. That engine boasts plenty of talent in its own right. Levi Crum returns at quarterback after accounting for 4,300 yards and 56 touchdowns last season.
This article is part of The Columbian's High School Fall Sports 2019 special section, published in print on Sept. 1. View it online.
“Levi has definitely grown into taking leadership roles,” Veley said. “He’s more comfortable using his voice and directing the team. I’ve never seen him affected by anything.”
Crum will have 6-foot-5 Peyton Brammer, who hauled in 20 touchdowns and 1,000 yards last season, as his top target. Tight end Jeremiah Faulstick and receivers Liam Mallory and Makaio Juarez should also see more targets with Washington commit Sawyer Racanelli out with an ACL tear.
“We’ll have a lot of guys that will step up and show their talent.” Haden said. “We have a lot of guys on this team that not a lot of people know about.”
Defensively, Cam Thelen returns in the middle of the field as a big-bodied linebacker and Balderas will wreak havoc on the defensive line. The two-time defending 2A state champions are certainly not done yet. The senior-heavy class is again the 2A Greater St. Helens League favorite, and a state contender.
“We still feel confident in what we can do,” Haden said. “I think there’s no doubt we still have a shot of going back there and winning it.”
3 things to know
— The Hawks haven’t lost since Nov. 5, 2016, a span of 1,034 days on Friday.
— Hockinson is trying to become the second 2A team to three-peat this decade (Lynden, 2011-2013).
— Seven teams have won three consecutive state championships (Bellevue, LaCrosse, DeSales, Lynden, Royal, Raymond, Colton).
