Seems like old times

Published 11:45 pm Friday, July 20, 2007

EVERETT – When you run the numbers, this arena2football matchup between the Everett Hawks and Tri-Cities Fever might add up to be a pretty good show.

* Two opposing quarterbacks who combined have thrown 168 touchdown passes.

* A pair of flashy wideouts who together boast 246 catches totaling nearly two miles.

* Toss in 250 commutable miles bound to ensure the presence of a good number of boisterous opposing fans.

* Factor in a coach and four of his top players who were with the Hawks last season and would like nothing better than to flaunt their newfound success by clinching a playoff spot in front of the owner who shunned them and the same fans who last year cheered them.

It all adds up to plenty of dramatic flair when cross-state rivals Everett (5-9) and Tri-Cities (8-6) clash tonight at the Events Center in an af2 West Division game. Even though Everett has been eliminated from playoff contention, the Hawks shouldn’t have any trouble getting motivated.

“I think it’s going to be a great game,” said Everett coach Cedric Walker, whose team is looking for its third consecutive victory.

Former Everett coach Tony Wells, who took over the 0-6 Hawks last season and led Everett to a respectable 4-6 finish, now leads Tri-Cities, which can clinch a playoff berth with a victory.

The Fever quarterback is none other than Brian Baker who threw 51 touchdown passes and eight interceptions in nine games as Everett’s starter in 2006.

The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Baker leads af2 with 90 touchdown passes this season and is No. 2 behind Oklahoma City’s Stan Hill with 3,962 yards.

Everett counters with prolific rookie QB Jason Campbell who has thrown for 78 touchdown passes and 3,221 yards in 10 starts.

Baker’s most prolific target is JR Thomas – also a former Hawk from a year ago – who has 1,644 receiving yards and trails only Everett’s Josh Richey (1,712) for the league lead.

“Brian Baker is just a very athletic guy and JR (Thomas) does a nice job of executing routes,” Walker said. “They have a very explosive offense and our defense is going to have their work cut out for them.”

In addition to Baker and Thomas, the Fever roster includes former Everett defensive back Ruschard Dodd-Masters (28 pass breakups, three interceptions) and receiver Deontrae Johnson (54 receptions, 582 yards, 13 TDs).

The Fever lost an opportunity to move into first place in the division last Saturday when they were pummeled 56-36 at Spokane.

Tri-Cities, the af2’s most penalized team, suffered a major meltdown against the Shock when it committed five personal fouls in a disastrous second half.

Tri-Cities lineman Vichael Foxx, who played for Everett last year, was ejected and is suspended for today’s game.

Of note

Rock on Richey: In addition to leading af2 in receiving yards, Everett’s Josh Richey leads in scoring (258 points) and has a league record 10 consecutive games with more than 100 yards receiving. With two games remaining he needs 375 yards to eclipse the af2 single-season yardage mark of 2,086, set by Tallahassee’s Carl Bond in 2000.

Bitter memory for Hawks’ fans: The last time Tri-Cities played at Everett was in the 2005 National Indoor Football League Pacific Conference semifinal game. Former Washington State kicker Drew Dunning took the air out of the Events Center with a 42-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Fever to a 54-52 victory over the Hawks who had run off 15 straight victories prior to that biting loss. Tri-Cities went on to win the NIFL championship and spent another season in the league before moving up to af2 in 2007.

Could be a long night: Tri-Cities leads af2 in penalties (169) and penalty yardage (1,105). Everett ranks No. 23 in penalty yards (873).

Mismatches: Everett ranks No. 3 in rushing defense (13.9 yards per game). Tri-Cities ranks last in rushing with 12 total yards this season … Sacks: Everett No. 6 (26), T-C No. 29 with 11 … Sacks allowed: Everett 20, T-C 35 … Pass defense rating: T-C No. 5, Everett No. 26…Scoring defense T-C No. 10 (46.0), Everett No. 26 (55.0).

Too close to call: In total defense, Everett ranks No. 5 (238.4 yards per game), T-C No. 6 (242)…scoring offense Everett No. 17 (48.2), T-C No. 18 (47.9).

Burley fellow: Everett DB/WR Larue Burley has impressed recently with his ability to make timely plays on both sides of the ball.

“He’s added a new dimension for us,” Walker said of the rookie from Southern Utah. “I think he’s in that LaMonte Jones mold.”