DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
The Islanders' Mike Tillis dragged two members of the Riptide with him as he scored a touchdown in last week's win.
Tomorrow night, the Hawaiian Islanders play the most important game in their young history. Islanders go for
2 straight against BlitzBy Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.comAfter nine straight arenafootball2 losses, the Islanders (2-9) convincingly outplayed National Conference West Division rival San Diego last week. They boarded a plane yesterday headed for Bakersfield, Calif., for tomorrow's matchup against the division-leading Blitz (6-4). The game is at 4 p.m., Hawaii time, and KCCN 1420-AM will air a delayed broadcast at approximately 6 p.m.
"We're riding high and we need to keep our energy up, because we're going on a long road trip," Islanders coach Chad Carlson said. "This is not last week. It's a new week, and winning the game is important, so we have to keep our heads on straight."
If the Islanders beat Bakersfield, they'll have a psychological edge over the Blitz, who visit the Blaisdell Arena for another game one week later.
The Blitz stopped the Islanders 52-32 in the second week of the season.
Carlson thinks his team is professional enough to take the momentum gained from last week all the way to California.
"Once you get a taste of that type of energy, you should continue to have that type of approach to the game," he said. "Last week we were causing turnovers and our receivers were blocking downfield. (Mike) Tillis and DJ (Darrell Jones) were just destroying some guys blocking. Those are some things I really like to see.
"I expect them (Bakersfield) to play their best game of the year and I expect us to play our best game of the year, so it should be a good battle. We're coming on."
An Islanders victory would put them just 3 1/2 games out of first place with five games left --far from an ideal position, but not a bad place considering their long skid.
Key two-way player Chris Paogofie, who missed two games in a row with broken ribs, will be in the lineup against the Blitz. But Niko Vitale won't play for the second straight game due to a work commitment.
The Islanders have acquired wide receiverdefensive back Nian Taylor, who played eight games for the Richmond Speed this season. He caught 16 passes for 206 yards and four touchdowns.
Taylor is a former Washington State standout, according to Carlson.
"Virginia was too far away for him. He's a West Coast guy and we're excited to have him," the coach said.
Kimo Naehu, who played his first game as a pro last week, is the starting kicker once again. Carlson said two players from Japan --defensive specialist Satomi Kohei and fullback/linebacker Rikiya Ishida --may be ineligible because of continued problems obtaining work visas.
After a 6-2 start, the Blitz have lost two down-to-the-wire games in a row. They were unable to hold leads against San Diego and Peoria and lost, excruciatingly, by giving up touchdowns with 26 seconds left and six seconds left.
Against San Diego, the Islanders' pass rush on quarterback Kane Claunch made a big difference in the outcome. They frequently forced Claunch to throw early or run from the pocket.
The Islanders likely will need more of the same aggressive rush against Blitz quarterback Chad Elliott, who leads the 34-team league in passing yards per game (259.1).
"Everything had to come together (last week) and it did," said Islanders lineman Andy Ramos.
"We're excited, enthusiastic and wanting to win. We've been practicing hard and (line coach Al) Noga has been telling us to keep coming out firing and giving us good, helpful criticism."
Offensive specialist Steve Wofford, wide receiver/defensive back J'Sharlon Jones and fullback/linebacker Julian Yearwood are other Blitz players the Islanders have an eye on slowing down.
Tillis gave the Islanders an offensive boost against San Diego with 10 catches for 118 yards and two TDs, and Carlson thinks he's ready for another big game.
Quarterback Darnell Arceneaux, who ran for three touchdowns and threw for three more last week, took over the league lead in rushing with 230 yards on 52 attempts.
Chuck Mills, an Islanders consultant and former Coast Guard Academy coach and athletics director, said last week's win came at a good time.
"In sort of a backward way, things are going according to plan," Mills said. "Tradition and continuity are important and a new team has neither. Through the long drought, they held together quite well."
Hawaiian Islanders
