EVERETT – Finally, a breather.
The Everett Hawks’ 52-32 victory over the Boise Burn Saturday night was the first home game of the season that was not decided in the final seconds.
And, banged up Everett (3-7) now has a bye week to rest and recover and perhaps find a quarterback to back-up the prolific Jason Campbell before resuming its long-shot bid for a post season berth with a June 23 home game against the Arkansas Twisters (6-3).
“That’s going to be the biggest thing,” Everett coach Cedric Walker said of the effort to sign a back-up. “We’ve got a couple of guys we’re looking at.”
The need for another quarterback on the roster was underscored in the first half against Boise.
From deep in his own territory Campbell – who finished the game 22-for-39 passing for 269 yards and seven TDs – threw a long pass that was intercepted by the Burn’s Sullivan Beard.
Beard returned the ball up the right sideline with only Campbell standing between him and the end zone.
Campbell lowered a shoulder into Beard and the ball flew into the end zone where it was recovered by Everett’s Vai Notoa.
“In a way he did what he’s supposed to do,” Walker laughed about Campbell’s touchdown-saving play. “But, next time he throws an interception he needs to run over to check with me and not be out on the field…we need to keep him healthy.”
Secondary steps up: With Everett’s defensive line and linebackers playing another strong game, the secondary was very solid after earning Walker’s wrath following its sub-par performance at Spokane the previous week.
Burn QB Bart Hendricks was just 15-for-33 for 173 yards and two TDs. Leading Boise receiver Casey Alley was held to five receptions for 35 yards.
“Those guys stepped up to the challenge and made some great plays,” Walker said of Aaron Dunklin, Larue Burley and Raymond Little. “They got physical, there were no blown assignments and some great quarterback reads.”
Burley led Everett with 8.5 tackles, had an interception and broke up a pass. Little picked off a pass and added four tackles and a pass breakup.
Dunklin again anchored the defensive effort with three pass breakups and 3.5 tackles.
Good work wherever you get it: Talifaia Atoe sees spot duty as a back-up at four positions (nose guard, linebacker, offensive line and fullback), and his relatively fresh legs paid off against Boise when he recorded two fourth-quarter sacks.
“That was a great job by Tali’ off the bench,” Walker said.
Goodman all the way back: Phil Goodman is finally at full strength after an ankle injury in the May 6 home opener. Against Boise he caught two touchdown passes. The veteran from Temple also shined at linebacker and on special teams with four tackles, including a sack.
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