Posted on: Sunday, May 23, 2004
Islanders hold off Central Valley, 54-48
| • | Game statistics |
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hawaiian Islanders head coach Cal Lee expects close to perfection and last night's 54-48 victory over the Central Valley Coyotes (Fresno, Calif.) in front of 4,211 at Blaisdell Arena didn't cut it.
The Islanders struggled offensively, according to Lee, against a team they beat 68-35 in the opening week of the arenafootball2 season for their largest winning margin in franchise history.
"I don't think we feel real good about ourselves with the way we played tonight because we think we can play better," Lee said.
"We're at this point where we're happy to get a win like that, but I don't think they're satisfied. They're so competitive, they want to do a better job. Not only the players but the coaches as well."
The Islanders (5-2) moved into first place in the West Division, one game ahead of the Bakersfield Blitz, who lost to visiting Memphis, 72-51, last night.
Central Valley (1-6) cut its deficit to 6 with 2.9 seconds remaining on a 7-yard pass from Kyle Biggs to Kenyatte Morgan. The Coyotes recovered Justin Levine's on-side kick on the final play of the game.
Islanders quarterback Darnell Arceneaux completed five passes to younger brother Anthony Arceneaux for 143 yards and two touchdowns.
"In our offense anyone can be the deep threat," Anthony said. "It just depends on who's in the groove at that time and who coach wants to use to exploit the D."
Darnell finished 13 of 22 for 239 yards and five touchdowns. Nian Taylor had two touchdown receptions and Nate Jackson had one.
"As badly as I played, the defense made a lot of plays tonight," Darnell said.
The Islanders' defense recorded three sacks for 26 yards, and defensive specialist Joshua Robinson set team records with 11 solo and 12.5 total tackles. He also had an interception and fumble recovery in the first quarter.
"We've been watching film all week, studying them real good and we were real hungry coming off a bye," Robinson said.
Last week's bye, following a 55-54 victory over the host San Diego Riptide on May 8, may have played a factor in the Islanders' performance, according to Darnell.
"I don't ever want a bye again," he said. "When you take a bye you get complacent and content."
The Islanders lost two fumbles in the second half, the second of which led to a 10-yard touchdown pass from Biggs to Morgan that closed the Islanders' lead to 41-34 with 10:37 to go.
"Later on in the second half we had a chance to go up by three (touchdowns) and made a mistake," Lee said.
Added Robinson: "You can't take anyone lightly, even though they're 1-6 now, because on any given Saturday anybody can win."
Central Valley committed 13 penalties for 68 yards. It was called for eight offsides penalties, two of which negated interceptions.
"It was guys just trying to make plays," Coyotes head coach Cree Morris said. "We knew if we could get to Darnell we could rattle him a little bit, but we jumped the gun too often."
The Coyotes ran 53 total plays compared to only 33 for the Islanders. The Islanders held a 273-267 advantage in yards.
"We didn't play offensively as well as I think we can," Lee said. "It's something the players are concerned about. We need to shake it off."
The Islanders are 3-0 at home this season.
The Islanders will host the San Diego Riptide on Friday.
Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8041.
