EVERETT – Everything you need to know about Everett Hawks quarterback Jason Campbell can be condensed down to a single play.
Against Boise in a June 9 home game, Campbell, a rookie in just his sixth start, threw a long pass that was intercepted by the Burn’s Sullivan Beard, who appeared to have a clear path for a touchdown.
Campbell had other ideas.
The budding star who has supplied the offensive fireworks for a team that has struggled and failed to qualify for the playoffs in its first two af2 seasons atoned for the errant pass and saved a touchdown by lowering a shoulder into Beard and knocking the ball loose for teammate Vai Notoa to recover in the end zone.
Is the Hawks’ quarterback, who has trained in mixed martial arts, some kind of tough guy?
“I consider myself a football player,” Campbell said. “I like to get in there with the guys.”
Campbell can stick somebody when necessary, but he has also proven to be a solid quarterback, having set Everett team records this season for touchdown passes (62) and passing yards (2,633).
He has completed 228 of 373 passes, ranks No. 11 in af2 with a passing efficiency rating of 108.6 and compares favorably with other outstanding af2 rookie quarterbacks including Ryan Hart (Albany) and Andrico Hines (Spokane).
“J.C. has done a great job of taking over the team,” Everett coach Cedric Walker said. “I don’t think there are too many quarterbacks better.”
Everett was mired in a 0-4 start and averaging just 33 points per game when Campbell replaced veteran Ben Bowling as the starter. He has lifted Everett to its only three victories and the Hawks have averaged 52 points over the past eight contests.
Campbell’s success does not surprise Everett receiver Josh Richey, a second-year player who played against Campbell in college when he was at Northeastern State University (Okla.) and Campbell at Arkansas Tech.
“I played against him in college and knew what he could do,” said Richey, who leads af2 in receiving yards (1,462) and is No. 2 in touchdown receptions (33).
“J.C.’s real tough,” Richey added. “He doesn’t whine, he just makes plays … if he gets knocked down he just gets right back up.”
“I’m not as vocal as I could be or maybe should be,” Campbell said. “But, I try to lead by example and the guys seem to have embraced that.”
The team has responded to Campbell’s style.
“He has a ton of respect from everybody,” Richey said. “We love him.”
Football wasn’t necessarily the first choice for Campbell who was a three-sport athlete at Del Mar High School in San Jose, Calif.
“I really loved basketball,” Campbell said, then laughed. “But, there wasn’t much call for a 6-foot-1 shooting guard.”
He retained aspirations of playing NCAA Division I football and perhaps in the NFL. Instead, he played two years at West Valley Community College (Saratoga, Calif.) before going to Arkansas Tech.
“It’s a reality check when you go D-II,” Campbell said.
How did a kid from the 12th largest city in the country fare in Arkansas?
“I loved it,” Campbell said. “I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything in the world.”
In 2004 Campbell passed for a school single-season record 2,922 yards, leading Arkansas Tech to a 10-2 mark and the second round of the Division-II playoffs.
As a senior in 2005 he passed for 2,157 yards and led a team with nine new starters on offense to a 7-3 record.
Campbell grew up as a fan of the AFL’s San Jose Sabercats. He worked out with San Jose last winter and coaches passed his name to Steve Papin, a former Sabercats’ player.
Papin had just been hired as Everett’s offensive coordinator and brought Campbell to camp last March.
Being penciled in as the back-up behind Bowling was a new role for someone accustomed to starting.
“That was different for him,” Walker said. “But, J.C. handled the situation well … on and off the field.”
“I just wanted to learn the game,” Campbell said. “But, of course I wanted to play.”
Bowling ran into problems immediately, which afforded Campbell the opportunity for playing time.
Walker named Campbell the starter after he nearly rallied the team to victory in an April 30 game at Tri-Cities. He has come into his own but is still learning the nuances of arena football.
“Against Arkansas we have 11 possessions, score nine touchdowns and lose (64-60),” Campbell said. “That’s just how the game is.”
The rookie enjoys other elements of the indoor game.
“The fans are right there to see and hear everything that goes on,” Campbell laughed. “The pace is fast and you’ve got to get rid of the ball quick … but, it’s nice to throw the ball 40 times a game.”
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