Hawks win, Richey breaks af2 record

EVERETT – Now, Josh Richey can call the record his own.

With his ninth consecutive game with more than 100 yards receiving, Everett’s seemingly unstoppable pass-catching machine broke the arenafootball2 record he shared with two other players and led the Hawks to a convincing 75-49 victory over the Tennessee Valley Vipers Saturday night at the Events Center.

With the victory Everett improved to 4-9. Tennessee Valley fell to 5-8 and its playoff hopes were dealt a severe blow.

Richey broke the record when he streaked downfield and caught quarterback Jason Campbell’s perfectly delivered pass on a 40-yard scoring play to give Everett a commanding 55-20 lead with three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

“It’s nice getting it (the record),” Campbell said. “With much thanks to my quarterback and my line.”

“It couldn’t have happened to a nicer kid,” Everett coach Cedric Walker said. “It’s going to be fun watching him play on Sunday’s next year (in the Arena Football League).”

Richey caught half of rookie quarterback Jason Campbell’s franchise record-tying 10 touchdown passes and finished the game with eight receptions for 120 yards.

“Sometimes when I’m in a bind I just throw it up there,” Campbell said. “J.R. (Richey) is so big and athletic he just goes and gets it.”

The night belonged to Richey and the high-powered offense, but the Hawks had heroes aplenty on a defense that forced five turnovers by Tennessee Valley. Linebacker Markus Pratt had two sacks and returned a Vipers’ fumble 10 yards for a touchdown on the game’s second play from scrimmage.

“Finally, we put it together and did not let up,” Pratt said.

Receiver/linebacker Phil Goodman came up with a third quarter interception, set up a touchdown with his return of a blocked field goal attempt and recovered three onside kicks to help hold the Vipers at bay in the late going.

LaMonte Jones, returning to form in just his third game after missing six contests with a broken arm, had a pair of touchdown receptions and an interception.

Then, of course, there was Campbell who completed 24-of-35 passes for 299 yards and generally shredded one of af2’s better defenses.

At Everett Events Center

Tennessee Valley146 0 29- 49

Everett142714 20 – 75

First Quarter

Everett Pratt 10 fumble return (Azorr kick)

Tenn. Valley Blanchard 36 pass from Gunn (Lee kick failed)

Everett Goodman 22 pass from Campbell (Azorr kick)

Tenn. Valley Blanchard 8 pass from Gunn (Bradley run)

Second Quarter

Everett Richey 12 pass from Campbell (Campbell pass failed)

Everett Jones 16 pass from Campbell (Azorr kick)