EVERETT – New to these parts, just what has Everett Hawks coach Dan Maciejczak gleaned about Everett and the surrounding area?
“I’ve heard this is a football town,” Maciejczak said.
Confirmation of that rumor may come today when the fledgling Hawks host the Wyoming Cavalry in their National Indoor Football League home opener at the Everett Events Center.
Gates open at noon and kickoff is at 1:05 p.m.
The Hawks entertained 2,724 fans at an intrasquad game last month. That number was a pleasant surprise for Maciejczak , who said he would have been satisfied if even a few hundred die-hards had attended.
“Now, I can’t wait for folks to get to see a real game,” Maciejczak said. “People may have seen a little (Arena football) on TV and think it’s pretty cool. Then, they see it live and it’s even better.”
In its 55-43 season opening victory at Billings, Mont., last weekend the Hawks had heroes aplenty.
Foremost was running back Verna Owens who rushed for three touchdowns and caught a pass for another TD.
The 115 all-purpose yards compiled by Owens (66 receiving yards on five receptions, 49 rushing yards on 13 carries) came as no surprise to Maciejczak who hopes for more of the same this week from the player who has led the NIFL in scoring twice in the last four seasons.
“He’s fast, he’s quick and he’s strong,” Maciejczak said. “And, he’s one of the hardest workers on the team.”
Quarterback Albert Higgs (19-of-29, 197 yards, five TD passes against Billings) will direct the high octane Everett attack.
Wyoming is fresh off of a 68-7 thrashing of the San Angelo (Tex.) Stampede in its opener March 25.
“That tells me they’ve got a high powered offense and a pretty good defense too,” Maciejczak said.
The Cavalry is led by quarterback Matt Strand, who picked apart San Angelo (21-for-27, 210 yards, 4 TDs).
“He’s a great quarterback with a strong arm,” Maciejczak said. “And, he’s big enough that when he sticks his head down (to run) he’s tough to tackle.”
Linebacker Coz Abercrombie and nose tackle Andre’ Rowe anchor the Wyoming defense.
Abercrombie led the NIFL in tackles last year.
“He does a great job as the leader of our defense,” Wyoming coach Shannon Moore said. “He has the feet, the eyes, the speed.”
Cavalry defensive coordinator Heron O’Neal agreed.
“He’s got great instincts and natural God-given speed,” O’Neal said of Abercrombie.
Everett counters with an outstanding linebacker of its own in Travis Salter, a 1996 Lynnwood High School graduate who had eight tackles, including two for a loss, and four assists against Billings.
“Those two linebackers are definitely the heart of their (respective) defenses,” Moore said.
Moore’s chief concern is figuring out a way to contain Higgs – who directed scoring drives on eight of 10 possessions against Billings – and his numerous targets.
“Their receiving corps…you’ve got two guys (Cory Grow and Jason Quinn) you’ve really got to keep your eye on, then there’s Verna (Owens),” Moore said. “We’ve got to come in and play a near perfect game to be successful against them.”
The Hawks defensive secondary, including Stacy Edwards and Milton Myers who each had an interception last week, will hope to make things more difficult for Wyoming receiver Corvin Johnson, who caught 11 passes for 116 yards against San Angelo.
Everett, which is in the Western Division of the NIFL’s Pacific Conference along with Wyoming, Billings, Lincoln (Neb.) and Tri-Cities, has sold about 2,000 season tickets for its seven-game home schedule according to Chris Dugger, director of sales and marketing for the team.
Tri-Cities, another expansion team, attracted 5,283 fans to its home opener last Saturday. It’s not clear how many might decide to turn out for the Hawks first game, but Maciejczak is certain of this much: “Once we get your butt in the seat, you’re hooked.”
Military Appreciation Day: Today’s game has been designated “Military Appreciation Day.” Fans are encouraged to bring an unwrapped football, basketball or soccer ball to be collected and shipped to American service personnel serving in Iraq. The balls are useful in helping troops overcome communication barriers with Iraqi youth.
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