Islanders won't get home field until day of game

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

Darnell Arceneaux, a former St. Louis School and University of Utah quarterback, will be playing for the Hawaiian Islanders. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

The Islanders, an Arena Football 2 expansion team, haven't practiced at the Blaisdell because of scheduling conflicts. Their first action on their home field will be in the opener against the Fresno Frenzy.

The Islanders can mark off the 50-yard by 85-feet field dimensions using cones at their various practices sites, but they can't simulate a football bouncing off the end zone nets, a trademark of the Arena League.

"We haven't had any official practices there (at the Blaisdell) and we won't until the first game," head coach Guy Benjamin said.

"There's an activity in the Blaisdell Friday night before our game so we're going to get in there and set that thing up and have a walk through in the morning specifically with working the nets. You're going to see some funny bounces in there I'll guarantee you that."

Each af2 team is allowed 19 practices before the season, but what complicates things is most players have to play offense and defense. The only exempt players are the quarterbacks, kickers and the offensive and defensive specialists.

Tiki Sagapolutele played defense at Castle High School ('90) and New Mexico Highlands, an NCAA Division II program.

He said he feels comfortable playing defensive end for the Islanders, but tight end is another matter.

"This offensive thing is very new for me," Sagapolutele said. "I'm learning as the days go on and I'm getting better. I'm very thankful for the coaches to put up with me in helping me out in learning my offensive plays."

The Islanders' roster is filled with former local high school standouts and players from the University of Hawai'i.

"We have guys from UH, and guys from Utah, San Diego State, Washington State who went away to play (college football)," Benjamin said. "We have guys who fell out of the pipeline, maybe personal reasons or grades. We have a lot of talent we just need to develop that talent."

As the season progresses he expects more players to come out.

"Once they see this unfold and see how professional it is and how it is the real deal, they'll be knocking on our door," Benjamin said. "I think we'll get more UH players as they graduate."

Just three players — Kenny Harper, Miles Garner and Danny Katoa — have previous experience in Arena Football, according to Benjamin.

"Those three guys are real important because they've played the game and they provide leadership for some of the other players who haven't," Benjamin said.

Harper, a defensive back/receiver, played for the Detroit Drive, Massachusetts Marauders and Milwaukee Mustangs of af1.

"It's a very fast game, it's not as big as an 11-man field where you can make a mistake and catch up. There's no time to catch up here because if you make a mistake it's a touchdown," he said.

Harper, who played defensive back at UH from 1990-91, is looking forward to playing receiver.

"It's not that hard," he said. "It comes natural for me and I like to catch some balls every now and then."

Most players work during the day and practice at night. Darrell Jones, an offensive specialist, does things the other way. He practices with the team and works the graveyard shift as a security guard at the Makaha Valley Country Club.

Jones played for the now-defunct Honolulu Hurricanes of the Professional Indoor Football League in 1998, and Hawai'i Hammerheads of the Indoor Professional Football League in 1999. So far, he's most impressed with the Islanders' organization.

"It's more organized and we've got the talent," said Jones, who is 5-foot-7 and 165 pounds . "There are a lot of skill guys instead of all big men. I like to see small guys go to work because I'm a small guy myself."

There are 34 af2 teams and each will play a 16-game schedule with eight home games.