STAR-BULLETIN / 2002
Wide receiver/defensive back Darrell Jones is among the starters returning from last year's Islanders.
It's doubtful two coaches have taken more divergent paths to a football game. Lee, Jefferson get new
football coaching startsBy Dave Reardon
The Hawaiian Islanders host the Green Bay Blizzard in an arenafootball2 game tonight at 6 at Blaisdell Arena, signaling new beginnings for both Jose Jefferson and Cal Lee at a place and time neither could have predicted a few months ago.
arenafootball2
Who: Green Bay Blizzard at Hawaiian Islanders When: 6 p.m. today Where: Blaisdell Arena
Jefferson, 32, is in his fifth year as an arena football head coach. But this is the Blizzard's first game of their inaugural season. He spent the past four years coaching various indoor teams in Lincoln, Neb.
Lee, 56, makes his debut as a pro coach. Prior to joining the Islanders he was the most successful high school coach in the history of Hawaii, at Saint Louis School where he is still athletic director.
Jefferson said coaching against Lee will be a challenge, even though Jefferson -- who played 2 1/2 seasons for the Iowa Barnstormers -- has a lot more arena background.
"On paper it might seem like I have an advantage, but football is football," Jefferson said. "Sometimes my indoor experience helps even things out, but I can't take what Cal's accomplished for granted. That's miraculous."
Football has been the biggest part of Lee's life since he was a star linebacker at Kalani High School in the 1960s. Undersized but tough, he went on to become a Little All-American at Willamette University.
Jefferson never played college football. He was a track and field star at the University of South Dakota. His 4.29 time in the 40 attracted the attention of the Barnstormers.
"I was pretty much a practice-squad player, and I think that's how I picked up things that I could use as a coach," Jefferson said.
Green Bay's roster doesn't have many recognizable names. One player that some fans will know, former Miami (Ohio) quarterback Mike Bath, was released by the Blizzard.
Jefferson said anonymity doesn't mean lack of ability. And the fact that his team has more players from Wisconsin-Oshkosh than Wisconsin-Madison doesn't mean anything.
"In a lot of areas, including Hawaii, a lot of talented players are left over," he said. "Everyone wants NFL talent, but there are still lots of players left over.
"And we know we are expected to do well in a football town like Green Bay," Jefferson added.
Tonight's key matchups will probably be Jefferson's offense against Lee's defense, and if the Blizzard can contain the Islanders' athletic quarterback, Darnell Arceneaux.
The Green Bay coach declined to describe his attack (or announce any starters) except in the following vague but colorful terms:
"We basically take what you give us, and sometimes we take what you don't give us," Jefferson said.
Lee said last night he had little information on the Blizzard, but that his team is ready.
"They're coming from Green Bay. That's about all we know," he said. "But I think their outlook is the same as ours. They have a new coach and so do we. I know our players are excited. We'll do our best and make adjustments along the way."
Green Bay Blizzard -- QB: Ryan Aulenbacher (6-5, 218); Ramon Robinson (6-2, 225); FBLB: John Duginski (5-10, 250), Dustin Sagedahl (6-3, 270); WRLB: Tony Ebeling, (6-2, 205); Robert Garth (6-4, 225); WRDB: Terry Foster (5-10, 184), Dan Henken (6-1, 205), Nate Lehman (5-11, 180); OLDL: John Gilles (6-4, 330), Anders Hill (6-4, 280), Aaron Longley (6-2, 275), Eric Mahlik (6-4, 280), Brandon Williams (6-5, 300); DELBFB: Tyler Hill (6-4, 245); OS: Nick Johnson (5-8, 188); CB: Tyree Kellogg (5-11, 188); DETE: Kevin Washington (6-3, 272); DS: DeSean Williams (6-0, 205).
Hawaiian Islanders -- QB: Darnell Arceneaux (6-2, 205); WRDB: Darrell Jones (5-7, 165), Anthony Arceneaux (5-10, 180), Nian Taylor (6-2, 205), Eddie Klaneski (5-10, 190), Flex Armstrong (5-8, 180), Channon Harris (5-9, 180); K: Kimo Naehu (6-0, 215); WRLB: Robert Kemfort (6-3, 230), Isaac White (6-2, 235), Chris Paogofie (6-0, 225); QBWR: Mike Tillis (6-3, 190); FBLB: Vai Notoa (6-1, 245), Josh White (6-2, 265); TEDL: Peter Salavea (6-2, 280), Morrie Roe (6-2, 300), Taulia Lave (TEDL); OLDL: Andy Ramos (6-3, 330), Matt Elam (6-3, 290), Roy Ma'afala (6-4, 330), Mose Tuia (6-5, 300).
Hawaiian Islanders
