Notoa does a little of everything
Published 5:08 pm Friday, June 15, 2007
Vai Notoa tries to go quietly about his business without causing a whole lot of ruckus.
But, it’s getting harder and harder to not pay close attention to the man known to his arenafootball2 Everett Hawks teammates as the “Silent Samoan.”
” (Notoa) just does everything,” Everett coach Cedric Walker said. “Offense, defense and special teams, he’s having a great season.
Last Saturday’s 52-32 victory over Boise was a pretty typical outing for the 6-foot-1, 275-pound fullback/linebacker.
On Boise’s first series of the game Notoa forced a fumble for the third time this season and the ball was pounced on by Everett’s Chuck Jones.
Later in the first quarter Notoa recovered a Boise fumble in the Everett end zone, his third recovery of 2007.
In the second quarter, with Everett inside the Boise 5-yard line, the Hawks went to the durable Notoa up the middle on three straight running plays and he eventually crashed into the end zone with his fourth rushing touchdown of the year to provide a 20-0 lead.
On Everett’s first possession of the second half Notoa ran for a critical first down on a fourth-and-short play near midfield. Four plays later the Hawks lead grew to 26-6.
Boise scored on its next possession, but the conversion attempt failed when Notoa blocked the kick.
Notoa had a team single-game record 12 rushing attempts for 19 very important yards against Boise (He ranks No. 8 in af2 with 168 rushing yards this season) and added 2.5 tackles.
“Vai probably plays 75 to 80 plays a game,” Walker said. “He’s a warrior and a blue collar guy who doesn’t ask for much, but gives 110 percent to his teammates every play, every game.”
Notoa also provides veteran leadership on and off the field.
“We may call him the ‘Silent Samoan,’” Walker said. “But, when he speaks everybody listens up.”
Notoa was a second-team all-league selection for Central Valley in 2006 and had tryouts with both Utah and Kansas City of the AFL prior to this season.
Walker believes Notoa may catch on with the higher level league in 2008.
“We’ve already had some AFL teams inquire about him,” Walker said. “Vai can play this game. He just needs the team that’s going to provide the right niche.”
Back-up quarterback search continues: Walker said the team has had two quarterbacks in town this week for workouts and will look at another this weekend, in its effort to sign a back-up for starter Jason Campbell. Walker declined to name the players, but indicated he hopes to have someone signed before the June 23 home game against Arkansas.
Stay at home dad: With no game this weekend Walker gave the Hawks the week off for Father’s Day. The team, which plays four of its six remaining games at home, will resume practice Monday in preparation for Arkansas (6-3).
“We gave guys a chance to go home and spend time with their families,” said Walker who spent part of Thursday working from home and watching ”Shrek” with his young daughters. “They keep me very busy, but it’s a joyous time.”
Injury report: Linebacker Markus Pratt missed most of the Boise game after getting poked in his right eye and suffering hemorrhaging.
” (Pratt) will be fine (for Arkansas) … He’ll wear a visor the rest of the season,” Walker said.
Wide Receiver LaMonte Jones (broken arm), WR Marvin Brown (knee) and Shakorr Bryant (knee) remain on injured reserve.
A really big night: South Georgia wide receiver Charvis McCollister was named af2 offensive player of the week after catching 16 passes and setting league single-game records for yards (308) and touchdown receptions (eight) in a 70-62 loss to top-ranked Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (9-0). McCollister who in South Georgia’s previous game had one catch for 11 yards – leads af2 in receiving yardage with 1,157, just ahead of Everett’s Josh Richey (1,138) and Tri-Cities’ J.R. Thomas (1,117). Thomas played for Everett last season.
