Branch returns to Hawai'i as Islander
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Hawaiian Islanders coach Chad Carlson, middle, Robert Kemfort and Darnell Arceneaux will play in their final home game tonight against the Quad City Steamwheelers.
Advertiser library photo • June 14, 2002 Game facts What: arenafootball2 Who: Quad City Steamwheelers (9-5) vs. Hawaiian Islanders (3-11) Where: Blaisdell Arena When: 7 tonight Admission: $10 to $150. For information call 532-7362 Radio/TV: Live on 1420 AM/Live on Oceanic Pay-Per-View Ch. 77/702 (cost $6.95; call 625-8100 for information). The game will be rebroadcast on OC-16 at 8 p.m. Monday |
He played at the University of Hawai'i from 1989-'92, spent time in four professional football leagues over the past 10 years, and is now back in the Islands as a member of the Hawaiian Islanders.
Branch, a wide receiver/defensive back, will make his home debut tonight against the two-time defending arenafootball2 champion Quad City (Iowa) Steamwheelers at the Blaisdell Arena.
The Islanders' home finale is set for 7.
Branch was recently released by the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League and assigned to the Islanders on July 9.
He made his Islanders debut last week, and caught a 31-yard touchdown pass and made two tackles in an 83-73 loss to the Arkansas Twisters.
"We've got a good offense right now and he just makes it stronger," Islanders head coach Chad Carlson said. "He's also a great defensive back and a good (linebacker), too."
As a senior in 1992, Branch helped the Rainbows to a share of the Western Athletic Conference championship and a 27-17 victory over Illinois in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 30.
"I got some great memories here and a lot of friends still here and it feels good to be in Hawai'i again," Branch said.
Last week, Branch was reunited with Islanders lineman Junior Tagoai, also a UH senior in 1992.
"I was talking to Junior when I finally caught up with the guys in Arkansas," said Branch, who is 6 feet and 200 pounds. "Junior started talking right away and my memory started coming back."
Branch has been on the move since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted him in the seventh round in 1993.
He's also had stints with the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos of the NFL; the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe; the Buffalo Destroyers of af1; and the Toronto Argonauts and B.C. of the CFL.
"I've been a journeyman indeed," said Branch, 29.
On April 20, the host Steamwheelers (9-5) handed the Islanders (3-11) their worst defeat of the season — 69-39.
At the time, Guy Benjamin, who later resigned because of health problems, was the head coach of the Islanders.
"We've got different players, a different scheme, a different coach, different guys doing different things now, and we have more experience," said Carlson, who took over in Week No. 6. "So you take those things, you put them in the pot and hopefully you come out with a little better recipe."
Wide receiver/defensive back Darrell Jones, who said he won't return to the Islanders next season, is looking forward to playing Quad City.
"I can't stand Quad City," he said. "They yap too much, but they're a great team, but not unbeatable.
"They were talking trash when they were already up 30 points, but we're ready for them. I want to win my last home game."
Despite being tied for first with Peoria in the National Conference's Midwest Division, there will be no postseason for the Steamwheelers.
In December the league banned Quad City from the postseason because it violated the league's player compensation rules during its two championship seasons.
The Islanders have won their past two home games and can move to .500 (4-4) at the Blaisdell with a win tonight.
"Our confidence is the same, we've been confident all along," Carlson said. "We've lost a lot of close games. We wanted to win those games, but when we didn't we never got down. The guys have been very positive throughout the year."
Notes: Lineman Junior Tagoai will not play tonight because of a family illness. ... Fullback/linebacker Derek Zoller is out for the year after injuring his right knee against Arkansas last week and will need surgery.
Standings
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Western Division
Overall GB PF PA Conf.
Bakersfield 8-6 — 641 561 6-2
San Diego 7-7 1 643 625 5-4
Fresno 4-10 4 596 811 2-5
Hawai'i 3-11 5 643 765 3-5
Today's games
Quad City at Hawai'i, 7 p.m. (HST)
Bakersfield at Fresno
Arkansas at San Diego
Hawaiian Islanders Schedule
March 30 Fresno W,50-47
April 13 Bakersfield L,52-32
April 20 at Quad City L,69-39
April 27 at Wichita L,31-27
May 4 Tulsa L,70-42
May 11 San Diego L,52-50
May 18 at Tulsa L,73-48
May 25 at Fresno L,55-48
June 1 at San Diego L,44-34
June 8 Peoria L,64-50
June 15 San Diego W,53-34
June 22 at Bakersfield L,56-48
June 29 Bakersfield W,49-35
July 12 at Arkansas L,83-73
Tonight Quad City
July 27 at Fresno
