EVERETT – The Tulsa Talons surprised more than a few arenafootball2 fans last Saturday when they went on the road and knocked off previously unbeaten Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Penn.) Pioneers 53-37.
This week, the Talons (4-2) face the Pioneers’ polar opposites when they greet the Everett Hawks (0-6) in an af2 National Conference clash at 5 p.m. today in Tulsa, Okla.
“It’s like jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire,” said new Everett Hawks head coach Tony Wells, named to his post when Rickey Foggie was dismissed following last Friday’s 58-29 loss at home to Spokane.
“But, if we’re gonna make a run, we have to play the best.”
For today’s game, Wells picked Wes Beschorner as the starting quarterback over recently acquired Brian Baker.
“Wes earned it in practice, but Brian’s gonna play too,” Wells said. “We’ll probably alternate quarters, split a little time and see who’s got the rhythm in the fourth quarter.”
Beschorner, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound rookie from the University of South Dakota, relieved previous starter Chris Dixon in the second half last week against Spokane and rallied the Hawks to three third quarter touchdowns.
Dixon was released at his request on Monday and Baker – acquired from South Georgia as part of the Julian Reese trade of May 4 – arrived in Everett on Tuesday.
Baker, a 6-6, 250-pound product of Austin Peay University, has two-plus seasons of af2 experience.
Wells is high on both quarterbacks.
“They’re battling, but right now Wes has got the edge. Wes has got the timing down with receivers and Brian’s brand new,” Wells said. “Wes is the feisty scrambler and Brian is able to use his height as a traditional drop-back passer.”
A top priority for each will be to take better advantage of the Hawks’ chief threats: Milton Myers (23 catches, 365 yards, seven TDs) and Hassan Brockman (19 grabs, 188 yards, three TDs). Myers is No. 7 in af2 in yards per catch (15.9 yards). Brockman leads Everett with 28.5 tackles.
“We’ve gotta get Hassan and Milton the ball,” Wells said.
Tulsa – coached by former NFL player David Alexander, who spent eight years with the Philadelphia Eagles and two years with the New York Jets – is one of af2’s strongest teams. The Talons are second in the league in sacks (19), third in total defense (211 yards per game) and fourth in total offense (292). By comparison, Everett has just four sacks and is No. 20 in total defense (279) and No. 12 in total offense (246).
“Tulsa is really, really good up front,” Wells said. “If we let them get after us it’s gonna be a long night.”
The Talons are led by rookie quarterback Mark Radlinski, who averages 257 yards per game passing. He has thrown 33 touchdowns, and just three interceptions.
Of note: Everett on Friday hired Tony Missick as defensive coordinator anddefensive backs coach. Rodney Swanigan will serve as a volunteeer line coach today for the Hawks.
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