Hawks seeking fourth win in a row

Published 11:23 pm Tuesday, July 24, 2007

EVERETT – The Everett Hawks hardly look like a team content to just play out the string.

Eliminated from playoff contention after a June 30 loss at Stockton, Everett (6-9) has responded by putting together a three-game winning streak going into Saturday’s season finale at home against the West Division champion Spokane Shock (11-4).

After victories against Tennessee Valley and Bakersfield, the Hawks set a franchise record for consecutive af2 victories with last Saturday’s 45-43 home triumph over Tri-Cities.

Tri-Cities coach Tony Wells – who coached Everett for the final 10 games of the 2006 season – came away impressed.

“My hat’s off to Ced,” Wells said of Everett coach Cedric Walker. “Everett’s a good team … they’ve worked their butts off and put it together.”

Everett’s victory over the Fever did not come easy. The Hawks fell behind by 13 points late in the third quarter, despite the fact Tri-Cities lost starting quarterback Brian Baker to a season-ending left knee injury.

Everett prevailed by outscoring the Fever 18-3 down the stretch, including Jason Campbell’s short touchdown pass to LaMonte Jones with less than 10 seconds remaining.

The victory wasn’t nailed down until Tri-Cities’ failed hook-and-ladder play in the waning seconds.

Fever receiver JR Thomas couldn’t quite handle a low lateral from Cory Meleisea and Everett’s Raymond Little pounced on the loose ball as time expired.

Everett’s offense was clicking early as Campbell completed all eight of his first-quarter passes, including three TD passes to Jones.

Campbell, a rookie from Arkansas Tech, finished 27-for-41 for 220 yards with one interception. “Right now, we’ll take a win any way we can get it.”

Garth steps up for Tri-Cities: When the closest thing T-C has to a Superstar – quarterback Brian Baker – went down, the Fever went with Superman.

Wide Receiver Robert Garth replaced Baker, who led Everett to all four of its 2006 victories, behind center. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound veteran from New Mexico State rushed for two touchdowns, and was 8-for-15 passing including a 21-yard TD pass to former Everett receiver Deontrae Johnson to give Tri-Cities a 27-24 halftime lead.

“He went in there and fought,” T-C coach Tony Wells said. “Garth is a true warrior and he gave us a chance.”

JR Thomas (five receptions, 78 yards, TD), another former Everett standout, agreed.

“It just goes to show (Garth) is a true Ironman,” said Thomas who with 1,722 yards receiving is chasing Everett’s Josh Richey (1,776) for the league-lead with one game remaining.

Spokane scouting report: The Shock, who as No. 2 seed in the American Conference will host a first-round playoff game on Aug. 4, are peaking at the right time with four consecutive double-digit victories by a combined 107 points, including a 55-19 demolition of Amarillo last Saturday.