The AP’s Class 2A state football Player of the Year announces his choice for college
HOCKINSON — One of the best high school football players in the state announced he will be staying in state.
Hockinson quarterback Canon Racanelli said he will be signing with Central Washington University.
“The biggest thing was it truly felt like a family up there,” Racanelli noted late Monday night. “The whole thing reminded me of Hockinson.”
He said his transition to college should be made easier because he has many friends already at Central.
Plus, there is the football. Central Washington finished an 11-1 season in 2017.
“The coaching staff was just really honest about everything, and I fit their system well,” Racanelli added.
Racanelli led the Hawks to an undefeated season in 2017, capping the year with a victory in the Class 2A state championship game in December in the Tacoma Dome.
Hockinson claims first state football championship
Racanelli was voted the Class 2A state Player of the Year by The Associated Press. Cascadia Preps named him the state offensive Player of the Year for all classifications after he threw for 57 touchdown passes and more than 4,100 yards. He also led the Hawks in rushing.
Racanelli posted a message to his Twitter account Monday night, thanking the Lord and everything He had blessed him with.
He also thanked his whole family, friends, and “all my brothers on the football team” as well as the entire Hockinson community.
“I want to thank (Coach Rick) Steele for helping me become not only a better football player but a better man,” Racanelli wrote.
He had a special thank you to his grandfather who passed away last spring. “I hope I made you proud.’’
Racanelli recalled that he started playing football when he was 6 years old playing for a youth team called the Wildcats. Now, he said, it has come “full circle” as he will play his college football career as a Central Washington University Wildcat.
The next signing period for NCAA Division I and Division II athletes begins Feb. 7. Racanelli said he expects to sign that day.
Racanelli was also the ClarkCountyToday.com Small School Player of the Year this past season.
Small School Player of the Year: Canon Racanelli
