SNOHOMISH – Having obliterated a slew of his own team’s receiving marks Josh Richey is now chasing a bigger record.
The Everett Hawks’ standout receiver has exceeded 100 yards in receptions in each of the past seven games.
Richey, a second-year player from Northeastern State University (Okla.), can match the arenafootball2 record of eight 100-yard games in succession with another triple-digit performance Saturday when the Hawks (3-8) visit the Stockton Lightning (5-6).
The current record was originally set by Jacksonville’s Anthony Bright in 2001. Kris Peters of Quad City equaled the mark in 2006.
Should Richey match Bright and Peters by surpassing 100 yards receiving against Stockton, he will have the opportunity to break the record when the Hawks host the Tennessee Valley Vipers at the Everett Events Center July 7.
After catching 23 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns in Everett’s first four games Richey – who leads af2 in both receiving yards (1,355) and touchdowns (32) – started his streak May 6 by grabbing seven passes for 112 yards and a pair of TDs in Everett’s home debut, a 43-41 victory over Central Valley.
He was named af2 offensive player of the week after hauling in 18 receptions for 236 yards and five touchdowns in a 63-54 loss at Quad City May 18.
Richey’s 18 catches against the Steamwheelers ranks as the third highest single-game total in af2 history. The 236 yards is the fifth highest single-game total in af2 annals.
In the 64-60 home loss to Arkansas last Saturday night the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Richey was virtually unstoppable, catching 12 passes for 217 yards and five touchdowns.
“He’s everything we’d heard he was and more,” Arkansas radio announcer Jake Hattley said afterwards.
Richey’s numbers over the past seven games are staggering: 78 receptions for 1,159 yards and 29 touchdowns. That yardage total exceeds the previous record for yards in a seven-game stretch (1,052) set by Tallahassee’s Carl Bond in the 2000.
Richey is also within reach of the single-season receiving yardage record set that season by Bond (2,086).
“Josh is having an MVP-type season,” Everett coach Cedric Walker said. “A lot of AFL teams have asked about him and I expect Josh to be playing on Sunday’s next year.”
Happily, barring injury, the Hawks will have Richey for at least five more games.
Azorr rock solid: Everett kicker Eric Azorr, signed last week, had an impressive debut against Arkansas. The rookie from Portland State was 6-for-7 on PAT kicks and drilled through his final five in a row. In the Hawk’s first 10 games a quartet of kickers managed a meager 16-for-39 on conversion attempts. Azorr’s one shortcoming was that he was unable to hit the net on kickoffs, although he did get a lot of air under his boots.
” (Azorr) came in and did a nice job for a first game … I think his leg will just keep getting stronger,” Walker said.
Twisters K-Dub earns honors: Arkansas receiver/linebacker Kevin Williams was named af2 defensive player of the week for his performance against the Hawks last Saturday. Williams had an interception and two TD receptions in the fourth quarter. He added a fumble recovery in the first half and had 3.5 tackles.
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