Arceneaux's time on DL extended 2 more games
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Arceneaux, who took every snap over the first eight games of the season, was transferred Thursday from the short-term to the long-term injured reserve list, meaning he'll miss today's arenafootball2 game at the San Diego Riptide and next Saturday's game against the Quad City Steamwheelers at Blaisdell Arena.
Arceneaux suffered a hairline fracture of the fifth metacarpal on his throwing hand prior to the May 31 game against the Louisville Fire. In his absence, Tillis guided the Islanders (8-3) to a 2-1 record.
Arceneaux said his soft cast was removed last Thursday and he threw a couple of passes Saturday. He practiced with the team Tuesday through Thursday.
"It feels pretty good. I'm real surprised and it's a blessing in disguise I'm able to throw like how I've been throwing," Arceneaux said. "Actually I'm throwing a lot more accurate. I don't know what it is. I'm just not gripping the ball as hard, not trying to throw it as hard, so I'm actually getting some nice zip on it, some nice spirals on it."
He added he's about "75 (percent) to 80 percent" healthy, and "if it were a championship or playoff game I could play."
Head coach Cal Lee wasn't about to take any chances with Arceneaux, who was the only Islander to start the first 24 games in franchise history.
"In football you're going to make contact," said Lee, who coached Arceneaux at Saint Louis School. "When you fall down, guys put their hand on the ground (to brace themselves). The best interest for him is to rest him."
Arceneaux, who works for the Hawai'i Sports Network's Athletic Prep Academy, was going to miss practice all next week because he'll help run a football clinic in American Samoa.
When asked if Arceneaux's work commitment had any factor in the team's decision to place him on long-term IR, Lee said: "No, because sometimes guys have to go to work. Why not rest him another week? We have another week off (an open date July 5). After that he can do handstands when he comes back."
Tillis will continue to start and Hiroki Inoue will be the backup.
Even when Arceneaux fully recovers, Lee said: "Tillis is the starter. There's no question."
Second time around: The Islanders beat San Diego, 51-43, April 26 at Blaisdell Arena. The teams also will meet in San Diego on July 18.
The Islanders are one game up on the Wichita Stealth (7-4) in the National West Division. San Diego (4-7) will be trying to snap a four-game losing streak.
"San Diego is a pretty good team," Lee said. "We've struggled with every team with a losing record. They're a tough team; I don't know what's happening to them. They play people tough, but lose at the end."
Clinic time: Arceneaux will be joined by wide receiver/defensive back Darrick Branch at the football clinic in American Samoa.
They will leave next Monday and return Saturday, according to Rick Sakata, who runs the Joe Salavea Foundation.
Salavea, a defensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, was born and raised in American Samoa and will be returning to conduct the clinic.
Former University of Hawai'i lineman Kaulana Noa, now with the Seattle Seahawks, also will help out at the free clinic, according to Sakata.
Players at the clinic will receive instruction and go through a combine on the final day, "so when they go to college or Hawai'i they know the different drills and how to do them," Sakata said.
Notes: Desmond Maul (defensive specialist), who led the team with 7.5 tackles in last week's 44-43 win over the Peoria Pirates, was placed on the in-active roster by coaches. ... Vai Notoa (fullback/linebacker) was placed on short-term IR with a broken thumb. ... Leroy Shelton (wide receiver/defensive back) and Morrie Roe (lineman) were put on the 21-man roster. Roe was on short-term IR (groin) the past two weeks.... Former Islander Tiki Sagapolutele played his first game with San Diego last Saturday in a 54-53 loss to the Wichita Stealth. He started on the offensive line and recorded an unassisted tackle.
