Hoffer the Latest Woodside QB to Leave his Mark

Think back to Woodside High’s top-flight quarterbacks of recent years -- Julian Edelman, Matt Pelesasa and Cory McDonald – and images of their big-game excellence surely come to mind.

Ricki Hoffer, the Wildcats’ current signal-caller, admired those players while growing up. And now, after engineering to edge in front of a packed house at Woodside on Friday night, he has left his own indelible mark on the program.

Just as local fans fondly recall Edelman guiding the 13-0 Wildcats to a Central Coast Section title in 2004, or Pelesasa and McDonald shining in Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division showdowns, Hoffer’s poise, precision and clutch play in the crosstown rivals’ first meeting in seven years won’t be forgotten.

After directing a touchdown drive to tie the game with 1 minute, 36 seconds left, Hoffer then made Sequoia pay for a turnover by leading Woodside 75 yards to prevail 42-35 behind an 8-yard TD pass – his third of the game – to Gino Cockrum with 13.7 seconds remaining.

In the aftermath of the Wildcats’ wild celebration at midfield with students who rushed the field, head coach Steve Nicolopolus found his senior quarterback and grabbed him in a heartfelt embrace.

“Great job,” the beaming coach said. “You controlled it. You controlled it.”

Hoffer’s control of the offense has played a critical role in Woodside’s resurgence after back-to-back 1-9 seasons. He took over quarterbacking duties midway through his junior year, switching from wide receiver, but he said it wasn’t until he attended Tom Martinez’s passing camp in the summer that he really found his groove.

Hoffer’s growth was quickly on display this season. He threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns in a 39-24 win over Burlingame in the second game.

Woodside’s scoring punch has been impressive – and a sharp turnaround from the past two years. A team that scored at least 20 points just five times in 2009-10 has hit that mark in all six of its games this year and is averaging 30.7 points.

Hoffer, 5-foot-10 ½ and 160 pounds, has thrown at least one touchdown pass in each game in sparking the Wildcats to a 4-1-1 record.

Woodside looks to be a title contender in the wide open PAL Ocean Division, but the quarterback doesn’t want his team to start singing its praises.

“It’s been so much fun but I really just have to keep the guys focused,” Hoffer said. “Sometimes it gets a little lax. You have to keep the guys pumped up.”

“This summer, he completely dedicated himself,” Nicolopolus said. “There was no doubt he was going to lead these guys, and he’s done a really good job.”

“I ask him to do a lot as quarterback … He’s really stepped up to the challenge,” he added.

Asked if Hoffer evoked memories of one of his predecessors at signal-caller, Nicolopolus pointed toward Edelman, who is now a wide receiver with the New England Patriots.

“(Like Edelman,) he can make things happen with his arms, with his legs or his head,” the coach said. “Julian was undersized and very athletic, kind of like Ricki, a three-sport guy.”

Edelman, Pelesasa and McDonald all went on to play collegiate football, as did Kenya Price, Woodside’s quarterback in 2009. Hoffer also has aspirations to compete at the next level, but he’s open to it being on the gridiron or the basketball court.

Once football season ends, possibly after making the CCS playoffs, Hoffer will trade in his cleats for hightops. He’s a point guard with a smooth stroke from long distance.

Asked about his playing future, Hoffer said he’s starting to look for opportunities in football and basketball.

“I’m determined. I really want to get there,” said Hoffer, who is also the shortstop on Woodside’s baseball team. “I have so much passion for sports. I can’t really think of anything else.”

Nicolopolus said he sees no shortage of open doors for Hoffer down the line.

“Whatever Ricki wants to do, he has the confidence, determination and will to be a success at.”