Kennedy’s Sawatzke, Raphael Commit to Pacific 10 Schools

Kennedy High football standouts Alex Sawatzke and Elijah Raphael will both head north next season to compete for Pacific 10 Conference schools.

Raphael committed to Washington State and Sawatzke said he is headed for Oregon State, Kennedy Coach Bob Francola said.

Sawatzke, an inside linebacker and The Times’ Valley lineman of the year, made a commitment during Coach Jerry Pettibone’s visit to his home Thursday night. Sawatzke (6-foot-2, 230 pounds) was an All-City Section 4-A Division selection who also drew interest from Brigham Young, Arizona and Pacific.

Raphael, a tailback, led all Valley-area rushers with 2,070 yards, a single-season school record. He was named to the All-City and Times All-Valley teams.

Raphael (5-9, 170) took recruiting trips to Washington State and Oregon State.