Posted on: Sunday, April 11, 2004
Islanders fall short in road contest against Louisville
Advertiser Staff
The Louisville Fire got big plays in all three phases of the game to rally past the Hawaiian Islanders, 37-35, last night in an arenafootball2 game.
The Fire's season opener was watched by 9,111 at Freedom Hall. The Islanders fell to 1-1.
Ryan Russell got Louisville off to a good start by returning the opening kickoff 55 yards for a touchdown.
"Anytime they run a kickoff back it gives you great concern," Islanders head coach Cal Lee said. "That's what we call an easy touchdown. You hope you make them work for it a little bit more."
The Islanders' defense stopped Louisville on downs and forced three turnovers on the Fire's first four possessions, and Darnell Arceneaux threw three second-quarter touchdown passes to put the Islanders up 21-7 with three seconds left before halftime.
Arceneaux's scoring passes went to younger brother Anthony, Gabe Amey and Robert Kemfort.
After Kemfort's touchdown, Louisville took over at its 5-yard line after a touchback.
Matt Sauk completed a 16-yard pass to receiver Dennis Fryzel, who lateraled to receiver Mike Mills. Mills pitched the ball to lineman Nick Myers, who took it the rest of the way to make it 21-14.
"I thought it gave them a lot of momentum going into the second half," Lee said of the bizarre play. "It put them down 7 at the half."
The Fire got even on the first play from scrimmage of the second half, thanks to their defense.
Darnell Arceneaux dropped back into his end zone and defensive lineman Jason Ferguson forced a fumble and linebacker Fryzel recovered for a touchdown.
"The very first play of the second half and they're in the ball game again," Lee said.
The Islanders entered the fourth quarter with a 27-24 lead, and there were three lead changes the rest of the way.
Darnell Arceneaux scored on a 1-yard run to put the Islanders up 35-31, but Tony Stallings scored on a 4-yard run with under 3 minutes remaining to put Louisville up 37-35.
The Islanders took over with 2:30 remaining, but Darnell Arceneaux was intercepted by defensive specialist Mike Mills with 41 seconds left.
The Fire ran out the clock to avenge last year's 67-48 loss to the Islanders.
"After a game like this you have to look at things that didn't work, mistakes that really hurt us," Lee said.
Darnell Arceneaux completed 17 of 41 passes for 207 yards, and Amey caught seven passes for 108 yards.
The Islanders will play their home opener Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Blaisdell Arena.
"Playing at home would be a great relief after a loss like this," Lee said. "We need to get better than what we did this evening. We've got to not let that happen again and play better ball on special teams and pass blocking."
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
Individual Statistics
Lou—Ryan Russell 55 kickoff return (Marc Samuel kick)
Haw—Anthony Arceneaux 19 pass from Darnell Arceneaux. (Kimo Naehu kick)
Haw—Gabe Amey 31 pass from D. Arceneaux (kick failed)
Haw—Robert Kemfort 11 pass from D. Arceneaux (A. Arceneaux run)
Lou—Nick Myers 16 pass from Matt Sauk (Samuel kick)
Lou—Dennis Fryzel fumble recovery in end zone (Samuel kick)
Haw—A. Arceneaux 4 pass from D. Arceneaux (kick failed)
Lou—FG Samuel 27.
Lou—Tony Stallings 3 run (Samuel kick)
Haw—D. Arceneaux 1 run (Nian Taylor pass from D. Arceneaux).
Lou—Stallings 4 run (kick failed)
Rushing — Hawai'i: D. Arceneaux 4-41, Keiki Misipeka 2-22, Vai Notoa 3-8. Louisville: Demetrius Forney 4-16, Stallings 2-7, Russell 1-2, Sauk 1-0.
Passing — Hawai'i: D. Arceneaux 17-41-1 207. Team: 0-0-0 minus-6. Louisville: Sauk 23-30-1 242.
Receiving — Hawai'i: Amey 7-108, A. Arceneaux 6-72, Kemfort 3-21, Aaron Smith 1-6. Louisville: James Scott 7-70, Fryzel 7-56, Stallings 4-50, Russell 4-49, Forney 1-(minus 3), Nick Meyers 0-16, Mike Mills 0-4.
