Hawks respond to tough love
Published 9:00 pm Thursday, May 25, 2006
EVERETT – Try as he might, Everett Hawks head coach Tony Wells has been unable to find a player unwilling to endure the training regimen he has foisted upon them.
“I’m trying to break them and I can’t,” Wells said during Thursday’s spirited practice at the Everett Events Center as the team continued preparations for Saturday’s game against the Stockton Lightning (3-4) at the Everett Events Center. “I’m trying to make somebody fall out or quit and they won’t do it.
“And that is very good to see.”
Indeed, the tough-love of Wells, who replaced Rickey Foggie as head coach on May 13, and his no-nonsense assistant coaches Tony Minnick (defensive backs) and Rodney Swanigan (line) has not broken the spirit of a team which has endured a seven-game losing streak to start its maiden season in the arenafootball2 league.
Instead, the reverse seems to be the case as evidenced by what was arguably the Hawks’ best overall performance of the season, and first under Wells, last Saturday’s 53-49 road loss to the Tulsa Talons.
Everett very nearly upset the highly-touted Talons, but an apparent game-winning touchdown pass from quarterback Brian Baker to Milton Myers in the waning seconds was waved off by officials who determined Myers was out of bounds when he made the catch.
Somehow, despite the turmoil of a coaching change, the departure of two starting quarterbacks (Julian Reese and Chris Dixon), the suspensions of A.J. Street and Jamley Austin (both now re-instated), mounting injuries on the line and wholesale roster changes (only six players on the 20-man active roster were with the team for the March 30 season opener), the Hawks hung with one of af2’s premier teams until the very end.
“Their fans were even cheering for us and telling us how good we were afterwards,” Wells said. “Our guys see the light now.”
West Pointer Dodson joins up: Clint Dodson, a 2002 graduate of the United States Military Academy – and currently an active duty army officer – was added to the roster for Saturday’s game. In three seasons as a tight end at Army, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Dodson had 80 receptions for 875 yards and four touchdowns. Originally from Allentown, Pa., Dodson’s service has included a year spent in Afghanistan. He is currently stationed in Hawaii, but the army granted a deferment, which allows him to play professional football.
Austin adjusting to new role: Jamley Austin is no longer starting in the defensive backfield, but has made his presence felt with big plays on special teams. In the fourth quarter against Tulsa last Saturday he took the ball away from the Talons kickoff receiver and ran into the end zone with an apparent touchdown.
“I stripped him clean,” Austin said with a smile.
The play was whistled dead at the Talons 6-yard line and the Hawks quickly converted the TD opportunity.
“I knew I could contribute in some way whenever I get the chance,” Austin said.
It’s all part of the plan according to Wells.
“The biggest thing is everybody’s starting to understand their roles,” Wells said. “Jamley and Ruschard Dodd-Masters (a rookie from UNLV) realize they are leaders on the kickoff team.”
Yard Dawgz scratch to top of af2 poll: The Oklahoma Yard Dawgz (6-1) have been voted No. 1 in the most recent coach’s poll, receiving 13 of 23 first-place votes and 248 of a possible 264 points after doubling up South Georgia 66-33. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (6-1) is No. 2 followed by Spokane (6-1), Memphis (6-1) and last week’s No. 1 Florida (6-2), which tumbled on the heels of a 79-62 road loss to the Manchester (3-4). Game of the week: No. 7 Tulsa (5-2) at No. 6 Bakersfield (5-2).
