Islanders fought through rough inaugural season

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

It was a season of losing and change for the Hawaiian Islanders in their first year in arenafootball2. The team finished 5-11, but won four of their last six games. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

Over the 16-game season, the Islanders (5-11) went through 42 players, two head coaches and a nine-game losing streak.

They won four of their last six games following the losing streak.

"The guys gave us everything they had," Islanders head coach Chad Carlson said. "People will be talking about this team for years to come. Next year whether we win the championship, this team started it out."

The Islanders averaged an announced crowd of 3,600 for their eight home games, and traveled 55,000 miles by airplane and bus on eight road trips.

As expected, the team lost money.

"It was pretty bad," said owner Kimberly Wang when asked how the team did financially. "I wasn't surprised. We budgeted the team to be in the red for the first two years, possibly the third year. Like any start-up company you have to spend money to make money."

Guy Benjamin began the season as head coach, but resigned May 7 because of health-related concerns.

Carlson, who had previously served as wide receivers coach, general manager and offensive coordinator, replaced Benjamin.

"It's difficult moving around positions because you're trying to find a focus," Carlson said. "You need to perform your best whether you're a quarterback, kicker or coach."

The Islanders, who won their opener, went 1-3 under Benjamin, and Carlson lost his first six games as head coach before the Islanders finally broke through June 14 with a 53-34 win over the San Diego Riptide.

"The nine-game losing streak was the lowlight (of the season)," Carlson said. "We were doing anything and everything we possibly could from having longer practices to superstitions to get out of that thing."

Enthusiastic coach

Carlson, 30, tried to energize the team.

In the team's home finale July 20 against the two-time defending af2 champion Quad City Steamwheelers, Carlson gave a mid-air chest bump to co-defensive coordinator Doug Semones after the Islanders recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter.

After the 56-55 victory, he jumped on the four-foot-high sideline barrier near midfield and raised his arms to salute the crowd.

"It's completely spontaneous," Carlson said. "I'm also learning the game and I like to get excited as well ... show my players I appreciate what they're doing for us on the field."

In an earlier home game, Carlson ran across the field, and shoved and yelled at an Islanders player who was talking to a fan before a kickoff. During a road game he wore a Spider-Man mask during pregame introductions.

Changes made

The Islanders brought in 21 new players during the season.

The key acquisition was receiver/defensive back Nian Taylor, who was assigned to the Islanders on June 20.

Taylor, who played the first eight games of the season with the Richmond Speed, caught 30 passes for 550 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also excelled on defense and as a kick returner. The Islanders were 3-2 in the games he played.

There was change off the field as well.

Wang said she replaced most of the team's administrative staff before the season and switched marketing companies during the season.

"Overall I'd like things to run smoother," Wang said. "This year it was emergency after emergency."

Some may not return

The Islanders could miss some of their key players next season.

Receiver/defensive back Darrell Jones, who led the team in receptions (57) and kick return yards (1,073), has said he won't be back, and quarterback Darnell Arceneaux may get a shot at af1 next season.

"This is a stepping stone and you hope you can take the next step, which is getting into a camp and giving it what you got with an af1 team," said Arceneaux, who completed 238 of 498 passes for 3,100 yards and 48 touchdowns.

Arceneaux also set af2 season records for rushing yards (439) and rushing touchdowns (26).

Wait till next year

The team's late-season surge has Carlson optimistic about next season.

"We expect to make a team that's unstoppable," he said. "We got into a rhythm at the end there. I want to pick up where we left off."

Wang has said the Islanders will be here for at least three years, but wouldn't mind if the stay lasted longer.

"It's my hope we'll be around indefinitely," she said. "It's certainly a lot of fun."