Stealth sneak past
Islanders for first
WICHITA, Kan. >> For more than 59 minutes, Wichita's Michael Dritlein wasn't much more than an interested observer at yesterday's arenafootball2 game with the Hawaiian Islanders.
But the league's leading scorer finally stepped into the spotlight in the game's final seconds by returning a missed field-goal attempt 57 yards for a touchdown to lift Wichita to a stunning 36-29 win over the Islanders at the Kansas Coliseum.
The Islanders fell to 3-2 while the Stealth improved to 4-1 and claimed sole possession of first place in the Western Division.
"It's not one play or one series, we have to play better," Islanders coach Cal Lee said. "When you get chances to score offensively, you have to score. When you get chances on special teams, you have to make plays."
The Islanders defense limited the Stealth to 142 yards in total offense and forced two turnovers and four missed field-goal attempts. But Hawaii returned the favor with two interceptions and three missed field goals, including two blocked kicks.
Dritlein entered as the league's leader in scoring (14 touchdowns) and receiving yards (526). He was held without a catch, but still made the biggest play of the game.
With the score tied at 29 with 17 seconds left, Hawaii kicker Kimo Naehu lined up for a 43-yard field-goal attempt. Naehu's kick drifted wide left and Dritlein fielded the ball off the net and outran the Islanders to the end zone with three seconds left.
"It's not that one play," Lee said. "All through the game there's always plays where we could have done this or could have done that, it's just a matter that the very last play they run it back."
Hawaii quarterback Darnell Arceneaux completed 20 of 34 passes for 184 yards. Nian Taylor recorded season-highs with 10 receptions for 116 yards. Fullback Josh White rushed for two scores.
The defenses controlled the first half as Wichita took a 15-10 lead into halftime.
The Islanders forced the Stealth into three missed field goals and an interception in the first half, but couldn't capitalize on offense.
Islander turnovers led to both of Wichita's first-half touchdowns and the Stealth blocked two field-goal attempts.
The Islanders took the lead in the third quarter on two Arceneaux touchdown passes, the first a 22-yarder to Isaac White and the second an 18-yarder to Taylor.
Josh White's second TD run of the night extended the Islanders' lead to 29-22 early in the fourth quarter.
Hawaii stopped Wichita on its next possession, but gave the ball right back when Arceneaux's pass was intercepted by Daren Williams.
Wichita capitalized five plays later when Anthony Buich hit Ty Ardoin for a 19-yard touchdown pass. The extra point tied the game with 2:49 left.
Hawaii moved to the Wichita 24 to set up Naehu's kick. But Dritlein's return sent the Islanders to their second road loss of the season.
Wichita's Brian Gooslby was named the game's most valuable player. Josh White won the Ironman award and Eddie Klaneski was named the defensive player of the game.
The Islanders return to the Blaisdell Arena on Saturday to take on Bakersfield in another division contest.
"These guys are warriors and they'll be back," Lee said. "Anybody takes a loss like this hard, but they'll bounce back."
At Kansas Coliseum
Islanders (3-2) 3 7 13 6 -- 29 Stealth (4-1) 7 8 7 14 -- 36 First Quarter
WS--Shomari Buchanan 36 pass from Anthony Buich (Jason Corse kick).
HI--FG Kimo Naehu 22.
Second Quarter
HI--Josh White 3 run (Naehu kick).
WS--Daren Williams 5 run (Williams pass from Corse).
Third Quarter
HI--Isaac White 22 pass from Darnell Arceneaux (kick failed).
WS--Brian Goolsby 2 run (Corse kick).
HI--Nian Taylor 18 pass from Arceneaux (Naehu kick).
Fourth Quarter
HI--J. White 1 run (run failed).
WS--Ty Ardoin 19 pass from Buich (Corse kick).
WS--Michael Dritlein 57 missed field goal return (Corse kick).
RUSHING -- Islanders: J. White 8-30, Arceneaux 5-33 Stealth: Dan Dawson 3-17, Williams 3-16, Goolsby 3-8.
PASSING -- Islanders: Arceneaux 20-34-2-184. Stealth: Buich 10-24-1-101.
RECEIVING -- Islanders: Taylor 10-116, Darrell Jones 7-40, I. White 2-30, Channon Harris 1-(-2). Stealth: Buchanan 5-64, Dawson 2-6, Drew Mitchell 1-6, Ardoin 2-25.
A -- 6,549
Hawaiian Islanders