Receiver poised to set record
Published 11:03 pm Thursday, July 5, 2007
EVERETT – Josh Richey doesn’t pay much attention to the numbers, even if they’re his own.
The Everett Hawks’ wide receiver, who tied an arenafootball2 record by exceeding 100 yards for the eighth consecutive game in last Saturday’s 54-41 loss at Stockton, can set a new league mark in Saturday night’s home game against the Tennessee Valley Vipers.
Trying to get the 6-foot-3, 195-pound, second-year player from Northeastern State University (Okla.) to talk about his exploits isn’t easy.
“It really doesn’t matter,” Richey said with an aw-shucks grin. “I just try to make plays to help the team.”
Richey’s stellar numbers talk plenty, even if he doesn’t.
Through 12 games he leads af2 in receiving with 1,462 yards and needs 625 yards in the last four games to eclipse the af2 record of 2,086, set by Tallahassee’s Carl Bond in 2000.
With 33 touchdown receptions Richey trails only Spokane’s Antwone Savage who has 35.
Richey is No. 3 in receptions (112). Albany’s Bakari Brown leads the league with 122.
Everett (3-9 and out of the playoff picture) entered the season with four highly-touted receivers and it wasn’t clear how Richey would figure in the receiving rotation.
But, Milton Myers retired before the season started. LaMonte Jones, Marvin Brown and Phil Goodman all suffered various injuries in the early weeks of the season, which left Richey as the go-to guy.
“When they went down I just had to step up and make plays,” Richey said.
It’s been a smooth transition from supporting role to leading man in the Hawks’ arsenal.
“JR was going to be the younger guy who would sit back and learn the game,” Everett quarterback Jason Campbell said. “Now, it seems like nobody can cover him.”
That has been especially true over the last eight games. Richey has grabbed 89 passes for 1,266 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Richey’s star is rising – Everett coach Cedric Walker has said AFL teams are asking about him for 2008 – yet he remains unchanged.
“He’s just a humble, hard-worker,” Campbell said. “That’s what makes him who he is.”
Walls gets kicks at Hawks’ expense: Stockton kicker Alex Walls, who leads all af2 kickers with 110 points, has scored 29 in the Lightning’s two victories over Everett this season. In the May 14 game at Everett, Walls was 7-for-7 on PAT’s and 2-for-2 on field goals, including a 3-pointer that clinched a 55-54 victory as time expired. Everett kicker Adam Williams was 3-for-7 on PAT’s and 1-for-2 on field goal tries.
At Stockton last Saturday, Walls was at it again, scoring 16 points in the Lightning’s 54-41 victory. He made all four of his field goal attempts and was 4-for-5 on conversion kicks. The Hawks’ Eric Azorr was 0-for-1 on field goals and 3-for-4 on PAT’s.
