DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM The Hawaiian Islanders' defense has come to life lately. In a victory last month over San Diego, Derek Zoller (42) caused quarterback Kane Claunch to fumble, while Tiki Sagapolutele had a clear path to the ball, but the Riptide recovered. The Islanders visit Arkansas for an arenafootball2 game today.

Islanders aim at
slowing down hot Twisters

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By Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.com

The Arkansas Twisters are an appropriate foe for the Hawaiian Islanders today.

That's because the Islanders have been twisting themselves into winners lately, and they can continue that process by beating Arkansas.

The game at Little Rock, Ark., starts at 2:30 p.m., Hawaii time, and a delayed broadcast can be heard on KKEA 1420-AM at 7 p.m.

The Islanders (3-10) have won two of their last three games.

"There's no doubt in our minds that we can go to Arkansas and get a win," Carlson said. "We've already made it through the hard part, fighting against the odds, the bad bounces, a lot of travel. Now, we've got a few victories and now we believe."

The Twisters (8-5) have won three games in a row and are contending for a playoff spot in the arenafootball2 National Conference Central Division. Arkansas started its winning streak by exploding for a 102-63 victory over division-leading Tulsa (11-2).

Earlier this season, the Islanders lost to Tulsa 70-42.

The Twisters have several potent offensive threats. Fullback Darnell Small ranks sixth in the 34-team league in rushing with 226 yards and 17 touchdowns, while quarterback Ricky Hebert is among the league leaders in several categories. He's thrown for 3,250 yards with 66 TD passes, including 26 to Lennie Johnson.

With five interceptions, Johnson also contributes defensively.

The Islanders had a bye week following their 49-35 upset of Bakersfield two weeks ago. That win was the direct result of effective and emotional second-half defense, led by Josh White, Evile Puna, Olen Rosehill, Niko Vitale and Nian Taylor, among others.

The team's pass rush has shown immense improvement in the last few games, and solid man-coverage was evident for four quarters for the first time this season in the win over Bakersfield.

Carlson believes the losing is in the past.

"We thought we were going to win every game, so when we won a game, it was just like we were planning on," he said. "We plan on winning and getting better, today, tomorrow, next week, next year."

Islanders quarterback Darnell Arceneaux, who threw for five TD passes against the Blitz, needs two rushing touchdowns to tie the af2 record of 23 in a season.

Two newcomers --Taylor and Mike Tillis --have made big impacts in recent weeks.

Taylor has eight receptions for 175 yards, three touchdowns, 6 1/2 tackles and an interception in just two games with the Islanders, while Tillis has 32 receptions for 401 yards and five TDs in seven games.

Carlson didn't say how much the team's newest addition, former University of Hawaii receiver Darrick Branch, will play. He was released by the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League after playing two games this season.

Arkansas is trying to catch Bossier City (9-5) for a playoff spot.

The Islanders return home tomorrow and play their final home game of the season against defending league champion Quad City (8-5) next Saturday.

Even though the playoffs are out of the question, the Islanders can pass Fresno (4-9) for third place in the National Conference West Division.

The Islanders and Frenzy play in the season finale in Fresno on July 27.

Taylor, who said he hasn't played his best football yet, sees good things happening the rest of the season, starting today against Arkansas.

"This could be big. This could be real big," he said.