Islanders beat Cincinnati for third victory in a row

Advertiser Staff

Halfway through their arenafootball2 season, the Hawaiian Islanders yesterday surpassed last season's victory total with a win over the host Cincinnati Swarm.

Nian Taylor caught seven passes for 98 yards and four touchdowns as the Islanders (6-2) beat the expansion Swarm, 35-28, at U.S. Bank Arena.

"Nian, he's a player you can count on; everyday out here he's all business," Islanders head coach Cal Lee said. "You can depend upon him every week."

The Islanders, who are coming off a 5-11 inaugural season, have won three in a row.

"When ever you win three in a row the momentum and confidence is there. We want to keep it going," Lee said.

The Islanders remain one game up on the Wichita Stealth (5-3) in the National West Division. The Stealth beat the host Peoria Pirates, 52-42, yesterday.

Cincinnati (3-5), of the National Midwest Division, has dropped three in a row.

A key sequence in the game began when quarterback Darnell Arceneaux scored on a 1-yard run on the final play of the third quarter to put the Islanders up 27-21.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Swarm's James Scott fumbled and Taylor recovered at the Cincinnati 18. Two plays later, Arceneaux hit Taylor for an 8-yard touchdown pass. Arceneaux scored on a two-point conversion run to extend the lead to 35-21 with 12:01 remaining in the game.

"It was going back and forth and the fumble recovery gave us a break," Lee said. "Then we scored and it put us up by two touchdowns. That really helped."

Cincinnati's point total was the lowest given up by the Islanders in franchise history.

"Defensively, the players are playing with confidence," Lee said. "Twenty-eight points is unheard of. For that to happen you're playing pretty good defense."

The Islanders' six wins have come by an average of 5.8 points.

The Islanders next game will be against the Louisville Fire (3-5) on May 31 at Blaisdell Arena. The Islanders are 4-0 at home this season.

"It was a great team effort, the players played hard and it's a credit to the staff," Lee said. "We're anxious to get back home and get ready for Louisville."

arenafootball2 standings

National West W L PF PA Streak

Hawaiian Islanders 6 2 370 357 W3
Wichita Stealth 5 3 367 347 W1
San Diego Riptide 4 4 370 365 L1
Bakersfield Blitz 2 6 321 359 W1

Yesterday's results

• Hawaiian Islanders 35, Cincinnati Swarm 28
• Wichita Stealth 52, Peoria Pirates 49
• Bakersfield Blitz 38, Green Bay Blizzard 31
• Tulsa Talons 51, San Diego Riptide 41

ISLANDERS (6-2) 7 6 14 8—35
SWARM (3-5) 0 14 7 7—28

First Quarter

• Haw—Nian Taylor 13 pass from Darnell Arceneaux (Kimo Naehu kick)

Second Quarter

• Cin—James Scott 5 pass from Christian Batcheller (Andy Payne kick)
• Haw—Taylor 10 pass from Arceneaux (kick failed)
• Cin—Mike Leaks 18 pass from Batcheller (Payne kick)

Third Quarter

• Haw—Taylor 5 pass from Arceneaux (Naehu kick)
• Cin—Scott 5 pass from Batcheller (Payne kick)
• Haw—Arceneaux 1 run (Naehu kick)

Fourth Quarter

• Haw—Taylor 9 pass from Arceneaux (Arceneaux run)
• Cin—Anthony Payton 7 pass from Batcheller (Payne kick)

RUSHING—Islanders: Vai Notoa 3-6; Arceneaux 3-2; Taulia Lave 0-6. Swarm: Payton 4-6; Batcheller 2-(minus 4); Jermai Norwood 2-(minus 6).

PASSING—Islanders: Arceneaux 14-29-0—211. Swarm: Batcheller 23-44-0-191.

RECEIVING—Islanders: Taylor 7-98; Anthony Arceneaux 4-50; Channon Harris 1-17; Lave 2-46. Swarm: Scott 8-82; Payton 7-45; Jon Cain 5-27; Leaks 2-29; Jim Jones 1-8.