Light the fire, part two, starts tonight. Islanders glad to be back home
By Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.comThe Hawaiian Islanders -- fresh off three consecutive losses --will try to rub two sticks together and get the blaze going again at the Blaisdell Arena tonight, when they take on the Tulsa Talons (3-1) at 7 p.m.
The Islanders (1-3) haven't won an arenafootball2 game since March 30, when they lived up to their "Light the Fire" slogan in a season-opening victory over Fresno.
According to Islanders general manager Chad Carlson, losses to Bakersfield, Quad City and Wichita are no reason for the troops to look downward.
"I never expect losses," he said. "I always expect wins, so it's (the three losses) a surprise to me. But through these losses, the guys are playing with confidence, they're playing together and not one finger has been pointed at each other."
Carlson took over as general manager from Jerry Kurz, a founder of arena football who remains with the team as a consultant while working full-time as an executive with the Arena Football League and af2.
The Talons handily beat Islanders' division rival Bakersfield last week.
"Our team is giving Tulsa much respect," Carlson said. "I've watched the films, and they're big, strong, athletic and fast, and they don't make mistakes. Our challenge is to rise to the occasion. I want it to be a war."
Tulsa went 13-3 and made the playoffs a year ago under first-year coach Skip Foster.
It's not known if Hawaii's dramatic receiver and kick returner Darrell Jones will play. He twisted an ankle in last week's 31-27 loss at Wichita.
"Darrell made a huge attempt to catch a pass on the sidelines and twisted an ankle," said Carlson. "He's a big part of this team, his speed on kick returns takes us down the field and opens things up. He's the most exciting kick returner, and he's day-to-day, but I hope he can play."
Quarterback Darnell Arceneaux, who threw for three touchdowns against Wichita, is the likely starter.
According to Carlson, newcomer Jared Flint --a former UH backup --is competing for the job.
Josh White, the former Farrington and California standout running back, is a recent addition as a fullback/linebacker.
"White has been to two tryouts with the San Francisco 49ers, and that speaks for itself," Carlson said.
White played his first game against Wichita and is preparing for his first game in front of Hawaii fans.
After two straight long trips to the mainland, the team hasn't seen too many friendly fans lately. "Without a doubt, our fans, when it's as loud as it can get, that makes all the difference in the world for us," Carlson said.
Notes: The Islanders are in a second-place tie with San Diego in the af2 National Conference West Division, two games behind Bakersfield (3-1). Tulsa is tied for first with Arkansas and Memphis in the conference's Central Division. ... Former Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler is the team operator for the Mobile Wizards (0-4), who lost to Pensacola 72-6 last week. "My only excuse is expansion," Stabler said in a league release.
Hawaiian Islanders