Players take aim at playoffs

Published 12:32 am Friday, June 22, 2007

SNOHOMISH – Fresh off a bye week the Everett Hawks came back to practice this week with a little swagger in their step.

“It’s a whole new aura,” wide receiver Phil Goodman said. “We’re really feeling confident.”

Despite its 3-7 record Everett, which enjoyed a home victory over Boise in its last outing June 9, remains in contention for a playoff berth with six games to play. The Hawks host Arkansas (7-3) on Saturday at the Everett Events Center.

After putting themselves into a 0-4 hole to start the season the Hawks have split their last six games. Two of the losses (at home against Stockton May 14 and at Spokane on June 2) came on the final play.

“Nobody wants to play us right now,” Goodman said.

Arkansas, which advanced to the National Conference championship game in 2006, represents a significant challenge for Everett.

“They’re 7-3 so they must be doing something right,” nose guard Chuck Jones said of the Twisters, whose offensive line has allowed just eight sacks.

“We’re not taking any teams lightly,” added Jones, who is tied with defensive end Johnny Jackson for the team lead in sacks with 6.5. “But, then again, we don’t plan on losing.”

Everett coach Cedric Walker was pleased with the players’ upbeat state of mind after several days of hard practices.

“The kids were a little rusty after the bye week,” Walker said. “But, the guys came back with great enthusiasm … knowing if we take care of business there’s a light shining at the end of the tunnel.”

Twisters’ Thomas earns af2 honor: Arkansas defensive back Pierre Thomas was named defensive player of the week after making 12 tackles and making a key interception – his eighth pick of the season – to lead the Twisters to a 51-39 home victory over bitter rival Oklahoma City last Saturday. Thomas, a three-year af2 veteran is tied for the league lead in interceptions and ranks No. 5 in tackles with 68.5.

Healthier Hawks: Offensive lineman Ricky Gaspar, who joined the team in game five and is one of the chief reasons quarterback Jason Campbell has been sacked just five times in the last six games, said the week off could not have come at a better time for the banged up Hawks.

“With the bye some of the aches and pains have healed up,” Gaspar said.

“Now, (making the playoffs) is a definite possibility … it starts with this game.”

Injury report: Wide Receiver Marvin Brown (knee), DE Shakorr Bryant (knee) and wide receiver LaMonte Jones (broken arm) remain sidelined. Brown and Bryant will be out at least three more weeks. The status of Jones – who had surgery after breaking his right arm in two places in a loss at Tri-Cities April 30 – will be re-evaluated today.

Pioneers remain atop poll: For the ninth consecutive week Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (10-0) tops the af2 coaches poll. The Pioneers received 462 of a possible 464 points and 28 of 30 first-place votes. The nine-week run atop the poll is the longest in league history. Tulsa (10-1) is No. 2 followed by Rio Grande Valley (9-1), Bossier-Shreveport (9-2) and South Georgia (8-3). Spokane (7-4), Tri-Cities (6-4) and Central Valley (6-4) are ranked No. 8, 9 and 10, respectively.