Islanders seek end to losing streak

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

It's Week No. 12 of the arenafootball2 season, and the Hawaiian Islanders are in danger of being wiped out by the San Diego Riptide.

The Islanders also are looking to end a nine-game losing streak.

"We need to come out, play inspired football, play with confidence and just get over the hump," Islanders head coach Chad Carlson said. "We're not going to worry about the past right now. It's too deep in the season."

The Islanders will get a boost from the return of Darrell Jones and Isaac White, who missed last week's game against the Peoria Pirates with injuries.

"I'm like 85 percent right now," said Jones, who has torn cartilage in his ribs. "I'm ready to go. That's good enough for me."

Jones, who is normally the offensive specialist, will play receiver, kick returner and defensive back tonight.

"I don't have a problem putting him out there (on defense) because of his speed," Carlson said. "He's got real good football awareness."

White, a receiver/linebacker, missed last week's game with a separated left shoulder.

The Islanders will be missing receiver/linebacker Chris Paogofie (two cracked ribs) for the second consecutive game.

Receiver/defensive back Niko Vitale, who made two touchdown catches in his debut last week, will also not be available because of a prior commitment.

San Diego beat the Islanders, 52-50, on May 11 on a field goal by Ryan Geisler as time expired. Two weeks ago, the Riptide beat the Islanders, 44-34.

Jones said he wants to get payback against the Riptide for the amount of trash talking they did in the teams' prior meetings.

"We'll see about it this week," Jones said. "This week is my week to talk trash."

Said lineman Tiki Sagapolutele: "We need to focus on what we need to do. They can trash talk all they want. We just have to play our game."

Carlson said starting quarterback Darnell Arceneaux and backup Erik Wilhelm, who has seen second-half action the past two games, will come out firing against the Riptide.

"This week I'd like to go ahead and pass the ball a little bit more," Carlson said. "Last week we kept (Peoria) off guard with the running game. We need to score points. We did that twice against (San Diego)."

Said Arceneaux: "They don't like to blitz too much. "We're going to look to go deeper down the field. We're right where we want to be with Darrell and Isaac coming back this week. We should be a full team."