Islanders' QB Arceneaux questionable against Fire

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser staff Writer

•	What: arenafootball2 Who: Louisville Fire (3-5) vs. Hawaiian Islanders (6-2) When: 7:30 tonight Where: Blaisdell Arena Admission: $10 upper level (unreserved) for adults and $7 ages 4-17. Lower level is sold out. Parking is $3. Radio: 1500 AM

In tonight's arenafootball2 game at Blaisdell Arena, they're hoping to extinguish the Louisville Fire.

The Islanders (6-2) have won three in a row and are one game up on the Wichita Stealth in the National West Division.

The Islanders may have to go without starting quarterback Darnell Arceneaux, who is questionable because of an injury to the pinkie on his right (throwing) hand.

Arceneaux, who didn't practice last night, has started every game in franchise history.

At the midway point of their second season, the Islanders lead the 27-team af2 with a red-zone efficiency of 86.7 percent and 53.8 rushing yards per game.

"We're happy with the way things have been going and we're just looking to improve in the second round," Islanders head coach Cal Lee said. "I know it's going to be awfully tough with the schedule we have, but it's something we're going to shoot for."

Louisville (3-5), of the National Midwest Division, has dropped two in a row. In the two losses the Fire have scored a combined 51 points and been outscored by 59.

The Fire rank 24th in the league with a scoring offense of 35 points per game, 26th with a red-zone efficiency of 53.6 percent and 23rd with 433 penalty yards. They also have a negative-0.38 turnover margin.

"When I look at our offense it comes down to turnovers," Louisville head coach Tommy Johnson said. "It's hard to score when you can't keep the ball on drives. We've had fumbles, interceptions, first downs taken away with penalties."

Johnson replaced former University of Hawai'i offensive coordinator Wally English this season after a 1-1 start. The Fire have had four head coaches in two-and-a-half seasons.

"It's been a tough one because anytime you have a change like that you have a down period with the players," Johnson said. "Right now I'm putting my staff together. It's been a fun one, I wouldn't have turned it down for the world. I expected it to be tough."

The Islanders are 4-0 at home this season and the Fire are 1-3 on the road, but Lee isn't taking Louisville lightly.

"You never know," he said. "They can come down here, and anytime you suit up you've got to be prepared for a team that's coming in to win."

The Islanders surpassed last season's victory total (5-11 record) with last week's win over the Cincinnati Swarm.

"Hopefully we can pull it past them (the Fire) and get another notch on our belt and become 7-2," Islanders lineman Andy Ramos said. "It's a great feeling right now from last year."

Notes: The Islanders underwent a logo and slogan change following their inaugural season. The new slogan is "You're in the Game!" ... Star Markets is sponsoring more than 500 tickets to local fire fighters for tonight's game against the Louisville Fire ... High school football players will get in free tonight if they wear their team jersey.

arenafootball2

National West Division

W L PF PA Steak

Hawaiian Islanders 6 2 370 357 W3

Wichita Stealth 5 3 367 347 W1

San Diego Riptide 4 4 377 379 L1

Bakersfield Blitz 2 6 321 359 W1

Today's Games

• Louisville Fire at Hawaiian Islanders, 7:30 p.m. (HST) at Blaisdell Arena
• Green Bay Blizzard at Wichita Stealth
• San Diego Riptide at Bakersfield Blitz