Everett connects on winning TD pass with 9 seconds to go

Published 11:16 pm Saturday, July 21, 2007

EVERETT – This was most assuredly not the outcome the big guy was seeking in his return to Everett.

Tri-Cities quarterback Brian Baker, who starred for Everett in 2006, suffered a second-quarter knee injury and was forced out of Saturday night’s game, which ultimately proved the telling difference in the Everett Hawks’ 45-43 victory in an arenafootball2 West Division game at the Events Center.

Despite the absence of Baker, Everett (6-9) trailed the entire second half and very nearly self-destructed with 14 penalties before finally getting the winning score on LaMonte Jones’ fourth touchdown reception with 9.7 seconds remaining in the game.

“That was ugly, but it’s a win,” Everett coach Cedric Walker said. “I know one thing, that’s three wins in a row … nobody’s going to the playoffs on us.”

Baker came into the game leading af2 in touchdown passes thrown (90) and ranked No. 2 in passing yards (3,962).

Tri-Cities (8-7 and still very much alive for a playoff bid) had opted to carry an additional lineman for the game and back-up quarterback Collin Drafts, dressed in street clothes in the team box, was not available.

Tri-Cities was forced to turn the quarterback reigns over to one of af2’s long-time premier receivers Robert Garth who had 67 catches for 875 yards – and zero pass attempts – entering the contest. The man known to teammates and fans as “Superman,” proved a quick study.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Garth, a five-year veteran from New Mexico State who helped Green Bay advance to the ArenaCup championship game against Spokane in 2006, brought the Fever within 21-20 with his 1-yard scoring run midway through the second quarter.

After the Tri-Cities defense forced the Hawks to settle for the longest field goal in the team’s af2 history – Eric Azorr’s 33-yarder – Garth rambled, scrambled and finally threw a 21-yard pass to Johnson in the end zone who made a sensational catch and provided the Fever with what seemed an unlikely 27-24 halftime lead.

Everett tied the score on another Azorr field goal midway through the third quarter, but Garth threw a 27-yard pass to JR Thomas to set-up his own 5-yard scoring run that put the visitors up 34-27.

Things got scarier for Everett on its next possession when Jamie Hattley intercepted a Jason Campbell pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown and a 40-27 lead.

Everett crept closer on Vai Notoa’s 2-yard TD run late in the third quarter and pulled within 40-39 on Phil Goodman’s 31-yard interception return with 10:44 remaining in the game.

Former Oregon State kicker Ryan Cesca boosted the Fever’s lead to 43-39 with a 44-yard field goal that came with 4:00 to play.

Jones led Everett with nine catches for 92 yards. Josh Richey’s string of 10 consecutive 100-yard games ended as he finished with 10 receptions for 64 yards and no touchdowns.

At Everett Events Center

Tri-Cities720133-43

Everett213912-45

Everett-L. Jones 21 pass from Campbell (Azorr kick)

Tri-Cities-Thomas 31 pass from Baker (Cesca kick)

Everett-L. Jones 5 pass from Campbell (Azorr kick)

Everett-L. Jones 18 pass from Campbell (Azorr kick)

Tri-Cities-Garth 9 pass from Baker (Cesca kick)

Tri-Cities-Garth 1 run (Cesca kick failed)

Everett-FG Azorr 33

Tri-Cities-Johnson 21 pass from Garth (Cesca kick)

Everett-FG Azorr 27

Tri-Cities-Garth 5 run (Cesca kick)

Tri-Cities-Hattley 42 interception return (kick failed)

Everett-Notoa 2 run (Azorr kick failed)

Everett-Goodman 31 interception return (kick failed)

Tri-Cities-FG Cesca 44

Everett-Jones 4 pass from Campbell (kick failed)