[ARENA FOOTBALL]
Arduous trips to Tulsa, Fresno and San Diego haven't taken the fight out of the Hawaiian Islanders as they return home to try to break an eight-game losing streak. Islanders hope to break
spell vs. division leadersBy Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.comThe Islanders (1-8) host an arenafootball2 division leader for the fifth time tonight at 7 when they take on the Peoria (Ill.) Pirates at the Blaisdell Arena.
The Pirates (7-2) have won five in a row and lead the National Conference Midwest Division.
Once again, Hawaii's struggling defensive backfield will be tested. Peoria receiver Cornell Craig is among the leaders in the 34-team league in several categories. He's second in receiving yards per game (104), fifth in receptions (66) and seventh in scoring (112).
When the Islanders have the ball, quarterback Darnell Arceneaux would be wise to avoid throwing in the direction of Peoria defensive back Lincoln Dupree, who leads the league in interceptions with nine.
"It doesn't get any easier," Islanders coach Chad Carlson said. "But we're home and we're going to play it to our advantage as much as possible. The guys feel like they play better at home and that should help us out a little. And we need a big crowd."
According to Carlson, three key players will miss the Peoria game --offensive specialist Darrell Jones (torn cartilage in ribs) and wide receiver/linebackers Isaac White (separated shoulder) and Chris Paogofie (two broken ribs).
Jones is fourth in the league in all-purpose yardage (1,598), while White is second on the team in receiving (32 receptions for 473 yards) and Paogofie is third on the team in tackles (22).
White and Jones are two of Arceneaux's favorite targets, so the load for Robert Kemfort, Mike Tillis and other receivers will likely increase.
The Islanders hope to slow down the Pirates, whom Carlson calls "extremely fast."
"Speed is their No. 1 key ingredient," he said. "But they're going to have to play their best game to beat us."
Carlson never wavers from his stand on what the Islanders are all about:
"We're going to try to win every game," he said. "We don't go out there to lose, and you'll never see a quitter on this team or in this organization.
"In pro football, it's a long season, so we need to be there for the long haul, the grind. We've been playing the top teams, they've all been physical games and we'll continue to put it to the limit as much as we can."
Despite the long losing streak, Hawaii has had many bright spots.
Arceneaux has rushed for 11 touchdowns and thrown for 23, and he continues to worry opposing coaches with his athleticism, according to Carlson.
Place-kicker Jake Huggins has steadily improved. After starting the season 2-for-9 on extra points, he has gone 26-for-32 in the last seven games.
Defensive backs Phil Austin and William Lackey have been dishing out the punishment week after week. Austin leads the team in tackles with 31.5 and Lackey is second with 23.5.
Notes: Mobile (0-9) is the only winless team in af2. ... The league has no unbeatens left, after Richmond, Augusta and Tennessee Valley fell to 7-1 last week. ... Hawaii and Louisville (1-7) are the only two af2 teams with one win. ... Two familiar foes will become more familiar to the Islanders in the coming weeks. Hawaii plays National Conference West Division rival San Diego (4-5) for the third time this year in a rare Friday game next week at the Blaisdell before meeting division leader Bakersfield (6-2) for the second and third times (away, then home) this season. Next Friday's game was moved up a day because of the WWE wrestling matches at the Blaisdell next Saturday. ... Former University of Hawaii player Niko Vitale, whom the Islanders signed a few weeks ago as a wide receiver/defensive back, isn't on the official roster yet. According to a team source, there's an illness in his family and he's helping out. ... High school sports teams or clubs or nonprofit organizations can raise funds by joining an Islanders marketing program. Participants can sell ticket vouchers to prospective fans for $15 each, and $3 will go back to the school or organization.
Hawaiian Islanders