Kickboxer Niko Vitale added some vitality to the Hawaiian Islanders (1-9) in his arenafootball2 debut Saturday. Vitale provides extra
punch for IslandersBy Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.comSigned as a wide receiverdefensive back a few weeks ago, Vitale finally got a taste of the real action in a 64-50 home loss to the Peoria Pirates (8-2).
He was an instant hit, catching three passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the team in tackles with 4 1/2.
On Vitale's first touchdown, he snuck away from everybody, and the nearest defender was at least 15 yards away. On the second score, he jumped high in a crowd and came down with a nicely placed aerial.
Another time, Vitale was wide open at the back of the end zone and caught a would-be TD pass, but the play was called back because of a penalty.
"I know Niko real well and he was already in shape," Islanders community relations director and former boxing champion Jesus Salud said. "I'm not surprised that he did well, but I am surprised that he did that well.
"I've seen him fight a few times and he's very aggressive, very strong with a great will to win. He has great instincts, he's very athletic and he went out and played like a winner."
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Vitale won't be in action for tonight's game against San Diego because of prior work commitments on the Big Island, according to coach Chad Carlson.
Vitale played for the University of Hawaii in the mid-1990s.
Giving it away: Salud and some other team officials watched Lennox Lewis knock out Mike Tyson on Pay-Per-View before last week's game.
The Islanders, who led 35-21 late in the first half, "couldn't give them the knockout punch," Salud said.
"We have the talent, but mistakes and turnovers hurt us. We fell asleep with a two-touchdown lead; we gave up the pressure instead of continuing to put the pressure on."
Lackluster second-half outputs are a recurring nightmare for the Islanders. Peoria outscored the Islanders 43-15 in the second half.
More effort from Kemfort: Wide receiverdefensive back Robert Kemfort continues to be a major two-way contributor. Against Peoria, he led all Islanders receivers with seven catches for 91 yards. He also made three tackles.
Kemfort ranks second on the team in receiving yards with 530 on 34 catches.
Josh White, the burly fullback, tripled his season touchdown total by rushing for two 1-yard scores against the Pirates. He now has three TDs.
Pirates coach religious about drop-back style: Hawaii quarterback Darnell Arceneaux had another good showing, throwing for 190 yards on 12-of-25 passing with three touchdowns and an interception. He also jumped over Pirates defenders for an end-around rushing TD. Backup Erik Wilhelm was 6 of 12 for 90 yards and a score.
But those numbers don't quite match up to those of Peoria's Walter Church, who was 22 of 30 for 340 yards and seven TDs.
"He's a real good athlete, a straight drop-back kind of guy," Peoria coach Bruce Cowdrey said of Church.
Cowdrey swears by drop-back passing as the only quarterback philosophy for winning in arena football.
"I've been there, trying to run the ball and pass the ball 50-50 and it doesn't work," he said. "Every time you run and gain four yards, you're giving up a chance to gain 40."
Cowdrey said Arceneaux would be "an unbelievable weapon if he could sit back and throw," and use less razzle-dazzle.