Hawks coach has signature mustache shaved by player
HOCKINSON — Hockinson High School football coach Rick Steele is a man of his word, just as his players were this season.
When Hockinson’s football team gathered in August to begin official practice for the 2017 season, many of the Hawks’ players told their coach that they weren’t going to stop anything short of 14 wins this season. That’s exactly the number of victories Hockinson registered as the Hawks claimed the Class 2A high school football state championship with a perfect 14-0 season record.
At some point during the process, Hockinson senior receiver Blake Sparks made a deal with his coach. If the Hawks won the state title, Steele would have to shave his signature mustache. On Friday morning, the Hawks celebrated their state championship at an assembly at the high school and the featured element of the event was Sparks doing the honors of removing the whiskers above his coach’s top lip.
“I didn’t tell my wife (Jill) so she’s not too happy about it,’’ Steele confessed. “She says it makes my nose look too big.’’
Everything Hockinson did this season could be described as big. The Hawks had one of the most prolific offenses in the state this season, regardless of classification. Hockinson scored 633 points in 14 games, an average of 45.2 points per game.
Hockinson quarterback Canon Racanelli finished his career with 9,970 yards passing, which is No. 7 all-time in Washington high school football history. His 124 touchdown passes are tied for seventh and his 57 touchdown passes in 2017 is No. 6 on the list of season bests.
Brother Sawyer Racanelli finished with 1,766 yards receiving and 27 touchdowns in 2017. Both are good for fourth for season bests in the history of Washington high school football.
