Coach reaches into past to find backup QB

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaiian Islanders coach Chad Carlson was looking for another quarterback and he knew his old pal from Portland, Ore., would answer the call.

Wilhelm, who played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets during a nine-year career, was more than willing to help out.

"I needed a break from the rain of the Pacific Northwest," Wilhelm said. "And (Carlson) said there's golf out here to play and we don't practice 'til late at night."

Wilhelm, 36, signed May 23 and suited up two days later for the Islanders' road game against the Fresno Frenzy. He held on extra points and field goals for kicker Jake Huggins in a 55-48 loss.

Last week, Wilhelm entered in the fourth quarter against the San Diego Riptide and completed 4 of 10 passes for 87 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in a 44-34 road loss.

"I'm really appreciative of Erik coming out here and taking the backseat role. You're talking about a total team player," Carlson said of Wilhelm. "He's played for millions of dollars or $200 (the af2 salary per game). His heart is just as big as it was when he was playing for a million dollars."

Carlson said after practice yesterday that Darnell Arceneaux will remain the Islanders' starting quarterback. Wilhelm will continue to backup Arceneaux tomorrow when the Islanders (1-8) will try to end their eight-game arenafootball2 losing streak against the Peoria Pirates (7-2), who have won five straight.

Arceneaux has started every game this season and has completed 137 of 291 passes for 1,689 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Three of the Islanders' top four receivers — Darrell Jones (cartilage tear in ribs), Isaac White (separated left shoulder) and Chris Paogofie (two cracked ribs) — will miss the game because of injuries, according to Carlson.

The Islanders' receivers will be Phil Austin, Mike Tillis, Robert Kemfort and Niko Vitale. Vitale, who completed his fifth practice with the Islanders yesterday, will make his debut tomorrow.

Austin, who hasn't caught a pass this season, leads team in tackles with 31.5. Austin normally is a defensive specialist.

A long history

Carlson and Wilhelm first met during a wrestling tournament in Portland when Wilhelm was a senior at Lakeridge High and Carlson, 30, was in eighth grade.

"I watched him wrestle one time and he beat the manly-est looking guy I've ever seen in my entire life," Carlson said.

Said Wilhelm: "He happened to be at the match and came up to me with his dad. He aspired to be a quarterback. He wanted to see what this guy, who is a quarterback, does during the basketball/wrestling season."

Wilhelm went to Oregon State the following year, and set 43 school records, including career passing yards (9,333) and touchdown passes (52).

They trained together during the offseason in Portland when Wilhelm was in the NFL, and Carlson was a receiver in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League. They also worked together at football camps.

In 1994, Carlson and Wilhelm played four games together with the Vienna Vikings of the Elite European Football League, and coached four more with the Austrian national team.

They played and coached together on the Portland Prowlers of the 50-yard Indoor Professional Football League in 2000. Wilhelm played quarterback and served as the offensive coordinator, while Carlson was a receiver and assistant offensive coordinator.

Their roles have changed with Carlson holding the position of authority as head coach.

"My job and goal and way of looking at things are to be subordinate," Wilhelm said. "What he says to do, I'll do. If it's something crazy or I absolutely disagree with I will disagree with respect."

Wilhelm's addition gives the Islanders a different look at the quarterback position.

"We have two different styles," Carlson said. "We have a drop-back passer (Wilhelm) and a run-passer guy (Arceneaux). We can bring them in at different times. They like each other, they like working out together. It's a great situation for the Hawaiian Islanders."

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