Hawks Hold off Blitz, 66-61
May 27, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Everett Hawks News Release
EVERETT - Rookie QB Jason Campbell threw for 335 yards and nine touchdowns and WR Josh Richey caught 12 passes for 191 yards and five touchdowns as the Everett Hawks held on to defeat the Bakersfield Blitz, 66-61, Sunday afternoon before 1,911 people at Everett Events Center.
The Hawks (2-6) dominated the first half, jumping out to a 42-18 halftime lead after a Campbell to Richey 32-yard touchdown score with 13 seconds left in the half. The Blitz (4-4), playing for a share of first place in the West Division, refused to quit, as they mounted a second half comeback that left the game hanging in the balance until the final seconds. The Blitz tied the game at 48on a Tyrone Baisden 10-yard touchdown reception with 11:09 left to play, but consecutive touchdown passes from Campbell to WR Phil Goodman (20 yards) and Richey (33 yards) gave the Hawks a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Campbell threw for more than 300 yards for the second consecutive week, as he completed 21 of 29 passes without throwing an interception. Richey, the reigning af2 Schutt Offensive Player of the Week, tied his franchise record for touchdown catches for the second consecutive week in earning Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors. Richey also became Everett's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns, with his 19th of the season coming in the fourth quarter.
Everett registered seven sacks on the afternoon, led by a franchise-record four by DL Johnny Jackson. Jackson also recorded 6.5 tackles, forced a pair of fumbles and recovered another to earn ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors. DL Chuck Jones chipped in with 4.5 tackles and a pair of sacks, while DB Aaron Dunklin registered a game-high 11 tackles.
QB Chad Elliot completed 31 of 39 passes for 262 yards and nine touchdowns in the losing effort.
Blitz WR Rennard Reynolds, who hauled in 17 passes for 130 yards, caught four of his six touchdowns in the second half.
Everett hits the road this weekend, when they travel across the state to take on the first-place Spokane Shock (5-3) Saturday, June 2, at 5 p.m. The Hawks return home Saturday, June 9, to take on the division co-leading Boise Burn (5-3) at 7:30 p.m. at the Everett Events Center.
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