Islanders are a little wary of wily Coyotes

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

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ARENAFOOTBALL2 WHO: Central Valley (Fresno, Calif.) Coyotes (1-8) vs. Hawaiian Islanders (5-4) WHERE: Blaisdell Arena WHEN: 6:30 tonight ADMISSION: $25 lower bowl (reserved); $15 upper bowl sidelines (reserved); $10 upper bowl end zones (general); $7 youths. Parking is $5. TV/RADIO: None/Live on 1500 AM SPECIAL PROMOTIONS: Family FANFest from 4:30 to 6:15 p.m. in Blaisdell parking lot. Free. You've Got to be KIDding Night. All kids (ages 12 and younger) who bring a Pizza Hut box with the words "Go" or "Islanders" to the Blaisdell box office will get a free ticket to the game. $2 off general admission ticket to those who show their Exotic Car & Cycle show ticket to the Blaisdell box office. Adults receive 50 percent off a general admission ticket by showing a Pizza Hut literacy card at the Blaisdell box office.

Cree Morris stepped down as Coyotes head coach and Fred Biletnikoff Jr., the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, has taken over on an interim basis.

The Islanders (5-4) have won both meetings against Central Valley (1-8) this season, but Islanders head coach Cal Lee expects the Coyotes' tendencies to change when the teams play tonight at Blaisdell Arena. Kickoff for the arenafootball2 West Division game is set for 6:30 p.m.

"We knew Cree for three years in a row; you almost got his pattern on what he's doing," Lee said of Morris, who was head coach of the San Diego Riptide the previous two seasons. "Now you come up against a guy that is new. He probably wants to put his stuff in there he never had a chance to. You never know what he's going to do."

Also, Central Valley (Fresno, Calif.) has a new starting quarterback. Frank Borba will make his first start of the season tonight after starter Kyle Biggs was placed on the short-term injured list with a leg injury. Scott Austin will be the backup.

The Islanders are coming off consecutive losses for the first time this season, but no matter what Central Valley throws at them, Lee said: "We basically have to be worried about ourselves. We need to play better."

In last week's 52-44 loss at Bakersfield, the Islanders had season lows in passing yards (188), total yards (196) and first downs (12). They also allowed a season-high four sacks.

Against San Diego two weeks ago, the Islanders set franchise records for points allowed and turnovers (five) in a 91-77 loss.

Only the Islanders' special teams have been solid over the past two games with Anthony Arceneaux returning four kickoffs for touchdowns.

"I don't think the swagger's gone," Islanders receiver/linebacker Aaron Smith said. "It's continuing to make plays offensively, defensively and special teams. Each loss we learn a little bit more about ourselves. I think we're ready to go."

Taylor back: Receiver/linebacker Nian Taylor was left off the 19-player travel roster for last week's game against Bakersfield after missing two practices, but he'll be back in uniform tonight.

Taylor is second on the team with 338 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns, and third with 21 receptions.

"We're happy he's back, and he'll be productive this game," Lee said.

Miller with Pioneers: Former Islanders offensive specialist Mike Miller has joined the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers (Pa.).

Through the first six games of the season, Miller led the Islanders with 19 receptions and 274 receiving yards, but he left the team and returned home to Long Island, N.Y., after his playing time diminished.

Siofele sighting: Joe Siofele, a Saint Louis School and University of Arizona alum, is working out with the Islanders in hopes of staying in shape and eventually landing a job in the NFL.

The linebacker/long snapper signed as a non-drafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals, but was recently released.

"I just come out here, put on the pads and bang with these guys to stay in shape," Siofele said. "But if nothing works out in the NFL, I'd love to come play for the Islanders. To give back to the community and play in front of the home crowd, I haven't done that since high school."

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