Defense sparks Islanders victory, 51-43
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
Through their first three arenafootball2 games, the Hawaiian Islanders had no interceptions so a few of the players placed a bet on who would get the first one.
The Islanders didn't have to wait long for a payoff as they returned interceptions for touchdowns on the San Diego Riptide's first two possessions last night en route to a 51-43 win last night before 2,960 at Blaisdell Arena.
The Islanders are 3-1, San Diego 2-2.
On the first play from scrimmage, Wesley Phillips' pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by defensive back Darrell Jones, who returned it 20 yards for a touchdown.
"I was ready for that," Jones said. "We had a bet who would get the first interception and I beat them."
Jones said he made the bet with quarterback Darnell Arceneaux, wide receiver/defensive back Anthony Arceneaux and wide receiver/linebacker Isaac White.
On the ensuing kickoff, San Diego's Jesus Reyes broke a couple of tackles and weaved his way to a 56-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7 with 13:15 left in the first quarter.
On San Diego's next possession, Phillips' pass — his third of the game — was picked off by White, who returned it 20 yards for another defensive touchdown.
"I read the QB a little bit, he kind of checked the receiver and I just went up and knocked the ball into my hands," White said.
Kane Claunch had started San Diego's first three games, but head coach Cree Morris decided to give Phillips the start.
"It was some things that had gone on in the past, the previous games," Morris said. "I felt he deserved a shot. I went back to Kane (in the second quarter) and it was too little too late."
The Islanders didn't allow an offensive touchdown in the first half as they took a 27-10 lead.
On six first-half possessions, San Diego scored on Reyes' kick off return and a 37-yard field goal by Ryan Geisler just before the end of the first quarter, which made the score 14-10.
"The defense played awfully well," Islanders head coach Cal Lee said. "Not only those two interceptions, but all through the contest. The defense stepped it up."
The Islanders took their largest lead at 34-10 on a 7-yard touchdown run by Vai Notoa on the first possession of the second half.
Darnell Arceneaux completed 14 of 30 passes for 166 yards and one touchdown. His favorite receiver, Nian Taylor, missed most of the game with a left Achilles' tendon injury.
"He could have played if he had to," Lee said. "But we felt it would be best to rest him for the next game."
San Diego scored touchdowns on its five second-half possessions to make the game close.
"(San Diego's) offense took a while to get started," Islanders defensive coordinator Doug Semones said. "Once they got started we were fine. I'm disappointed they got a few cheap ones at the end."
The Islanders rushed for three touchdowns, the strangest being Chris Paogofie's 30-yard score which put the Islanders up 44-24 with 12:56 left in the game.
Paogofie took a handoff and ran right. He was very close to the sideline wall and some of the Riptide defenders gave up on the play. There was no whistle so Paogofie kept running until he reached the end zone.
"No, I did not bump into the wall," Paogofie said. "I tried to extend (my arm) but I felt nothing."
Said Morris: "We missed a lot of tackles tonight. I thought he was out of bounds, but I don't make that call, the refs do. No whistle blew, we stopped, that's on us."
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