QB Arceneaux will miss home finale

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	arenafootball2 WHO: Hawaiian Islanders (7-6) vs. Louisville Fire (8-5) WHEN: 6:30 tonight WHERE: Blaisdell Arena TICKETS: $25 lower bowl, $15 upper bowl (reserved), $10 upper bowl (general), $7 youths (17 and below) RADIO: Live on 1500 AM PROMOTIONS: Meadow Gold Dairies Family FANFest, 4:30 p.m. in parking lot. Vili the Warrior to appear at game. Natural Vibrations will perform.

But Islanders head coach Cal Lee and even Arceneaux himself thought it best for him to sit out tonight's home finale against the Louisville Fire (8-5) at Blaisdell Arena. Kickoff for the arenafootball2 game is set for 6:30 p.m.

Lee named Shawn Withy-Allen his starter after Wednesday night's practice, so Arceneaux was hoping to land a backup role tonight as the Islanders (7-6) look to end a two-game home losing streak.

Aaron Smith, a converted receiver/linebacker, will backup Withy-Allen, Lee said.

Arceneaux came off the bench in the fourth quarter last Saturday against the Bakersfield Blitz and was injured after being hit low on an incomplete pass.

Arceneaux said his knee is at 75 percent, but he lacks mobility and would risk further injury by playing.

"As a coach you don't put someone in that's not 100 percent," Lee said. "Not 75, 80, 90 percent, that's not good enough."

Arceneaux, who started the first 11 games of the season, added: "You never know how it would have responded if I was taken down to the Astroturf."

Arceneaux had an MRI on Wednesday, which revealed no ligament damage. He practiced later that day at Saint Louis with a knee brace and also on Thursday.

His determination impressed Lee.

"What he did yesterday and the day before shows determination and will power to compete," Lee said. "You can only do so much with the way his leg was injured. Better for him to take this week off."

The Islanders will finish the regular season at the Central Valley Coyotes (Fresno, Calif.) on July 24 and at the Bakersfield Blitz on July 31.

"I'm playing these last two games," Arceneaux said. "That's a guarantee. You can put that in the paper."

Withy-Allen will be making his third consecutive start tonight against Louisville.

"It's a must-win for us," Withy-Allen said. "Hopefully we can play a little better and get a win in front of the home crowd, especially in the last game."

He is 1-1 as a starter, but has thrown nine touchdown passes and five interceptions. Arceneaux has 53 touchdown passes and seven interceptions.

"If we can cut down on turnovers, we can win and win big," Withy-Allen said.

Even though Arceneaux won't play tonight, he'll serve a valuable role on the sidelines.

"Last week, he was like a coach on the sidelines," Withy-Allen said. "Even before the game I asked him I need you to be my eyes and I need you to be in my ear. He's been very supportive."

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8041.