Islanders not totally out of playoff picture

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Hawaiian Islanders thought their playoff hopes were dashed last weekend, but an e-mail from the arenafootball2 league office Monday stated otherwise.

The Islanders (2-10) need to win their four remaining games, the San Diego Riptide (6-6) need to lose their remaining games and the Fresno Frenzy (4-7) need to lose three games.

The end result would be a 6-10 record for each team and the Islanders, based on winning percentage among common opponents, would represent the Western Division in the playoffs along with the Bakersfield Blitz (7-4), the Islanders' opponent tomorrow.

"We're not even focused on that right now," Islanders head coach Chad Carlson said. "We're focused on winning football games. If the playoffs come to us, it'll be an exciting time."

Last week in Bakersfield, Calif., the Blitz beat the Islanders, 56-48, and the Islanders are looking for some payback tomorrow.

"Everybody wants to play and get even with Bakersfield," receiver/defensive back Robert Kemfort said. "I know I do."

Four of the Islanders' losses have been by eight points or fewer.

"Our record could easily be the other way if you look at all of our games," Carlson said. "We're one or two plays away a game, a bad break, a bad call away from winning those games."

Despite their struggles, the Islanders' morale is high and the team looks forward to each game.

"We just go out every week, try to have fun, play some football," lineman Olen Rosehill said. "Playing football is fun and what else better to do on the weekend."

The Blitz are looking to sweep the three-game season series with the Islanders. On April 13, the Blitz won, 52-32. Bakersfield's Chad Elliott has completed 43-of-60 passes for 498 yards and 13 touchdowns against the Islanders this season.

Nian Taylor, a receiver/defensive back, made an impact in his Islanders' debut last week, making four catches for 76 yards and five tackles against Bakersfield. He also had six kick returns for 144 yards.

Taylor, who is 6 feet 3 and 215 pounds, played eight games for the Richmond Speed of af2 earlier this season. He caught 16 passes for 206 yards and four touchdowns.

"They have a lot of talent in Richmond," Taylor said. "I was competing with guys who have been there three years and they were getting the ball more than I was."

Receiver/defensive back Niko Vitale will be back after a two-week absence, according to Carlson.

Vitale caught three passes for 80 yards and two TDs in his debut against the Peoria Pirates on June 8. He missed the past two games because of work commitments.