ISLE FILE
Islanders lose on road, 58-43
Advertiser Staff
An unlucky bounce off the end zone rebound net on a kickoff in the third quarter was a contributing factor in the Hawaiian Islanders suffering their first arenafootball2 loss of the season, 58-43, to the host Bakersfield Blitz.
The Blitz improved to 1-2, while the Islanders fell to 2-1.
Bakersfield took a 31-23 lead on the first possession of the second half on a pass from Chad Elliot to Ryan Sloth.
The ensuing kickoff took an odd bounce off the net and Sloth recovered the ball and scored from a yard out to put the Blitz up 38-23.
"I don't know if it was a momentum thing," Islanders coach Cal Lee said of the kickoff. "Things happen off net and the ball went to the opposing team."
The Islanders scored on their next two possession to get within 38-37. Chris Paogofie scored on a 5-yard run and Darnell Arceneaux threw a 22-yard scoring pass to Channon Harris.
The Islanders were down 45-43 after a 13-yard run by Paogofie with 8:29 remaining in the game, but their two-point conversion pass failed.
The Blitz scored on a nine-play, 47-yard drive that took 6:08 off the clock. The Islanders lost the ball on down on their next possession and Bakersfield scored with 11 seconds remaining to end the scoring.
The Islanders will next host the San Diego Riptide at 7:30 p.m. on April 26.
"We'll come back, practice hard, cut down on mistakes and play much better." said Lee.
SURFING
• Robb advances in Australia: Kalani Robb of O'ahu's North Shore advanced to the third round of the Rip Curl Pro yesterday at Bells Beach, Torquay, Australia.
The second round of the contest was completed yesterday in 2- to 3-foot waves.
Robb scored a convincing second-round victory over Australian Toby Martin. Robb led the heat from start to finish, and his two best waves received scores of 8.5 and 7.0.
Jamie O'Brien of O'ahu's North Shore was eliminated by Australian Kieran Perrow.
QB CLUB
• Hunter, Livai featured: Wayne Hunter, former UH offensive lineman headed for the NFL, Siuaki Livai, Kahuku High football coach, Joe Whitford, Kahuku High athletic director, and Neff Maiava, a former pro wrestler, will be the featured speakers at tomorrow's Quarterback Club meeting.
The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Pagoda Restaurant.
