FL MORRIS/FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Vai Notoa has scored two touchdowns for the Islanders this year.
Islanders under
the microscope
The Hawaiian Islanders approach the halfway point in their season exactly where they want to be in the division standings.
arenafootball2
Who: Hawaiian Islanders at Cincinnati Swarm
When: Tomorrow, 8 a.m. (Hawaii time)
Where: U.S. Bank Arena
TV: None
Radio: KUMU2 1500-AM
The Islanders enter tomorrow's arenafootball2 game at Cincinnati at 5-2 and alone in first place in the National Conference's West Division. But they know their hot start will make them a marked team during the second half of the season.
"We're doing everything we can to stay ahead of the race," Islanders center Andy Ramos said. "Right now we know everybody's coming after us, so we're cranking up everything in practice and tightening all the loose ends.
"Everybody's out to dethrone you, they're coming after you. You're the No. 1 target, so we just have to get tougher."
The Islanders embarked on their longest road trip of the season last night and will travel 4,434 miles in pursuit of their second road win of the year.
The Islanders claimed the division lead with last week's 61-55 win over Wichita at Blaisdell Arena.
For Hawaii to stay ahead of the pack, the offensive line needs to keep quarterback Darnell Arceneaux clean. The Islanders have given up just four sacks in seven games. Only four other af2 teams have given up fewer sacks this season.
"It's a puzzle that can be completed if everyone does their job and the first step is the offensive line and then the quarterback and the receivers," Islanders coach Cal Lee said.
Arceneaux used his time in the pocket to complete 12 of 24 passes for 201 yards and a career-high six touchdowns last week. He has thrown 21 touchdown passes to just four interceptions this season and also leads the team in rushing with 126 yards.
"It's just giving him the time that he needs," Ramos said. "Just give him the time that he needs and he can pick the defense apart."
As much as the linemen enjoy seeing Arceneaux and the receivers light up the scoreboard, run blocking is the part of the game they relish. The line has opened the way for the Islanders' running backs to rack up a league-high 416 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground.
"We like that because we get to pound guys," Ramos said. "Instead of accepting the blows we get to get down with them. You get to drive them all the way to wall or wherever."
Cincinnati is 3-4 in its first season in af2 and is in a three-way tie for second in the National Midwest Division. The Swarm return home after absorbing a 62-42 loss at San Diego last week.
Cincinnati quarterback Chris Batcheller missed last week's game to get married, but is expected to be back for tomorrow's game. Batcheller is fifth in the league in passer rating, completing 67 percent of his throws for 796 yards and 17 touchdowns this season.
Offensive specialist James Scott is sixth in the league in receiving with 101.7 yards per game and 15 touchdowns. Wide receiver/defensive back Jim Jones has 11 touchdowns, four coming on kickoff returns.
"Those guys are game breakers, they can break your back," Lee said. "We just have to execute and make sure we don't let them have those easy ones."
Notes: The four players who were ejected from the Islanders' game with Wichita last week were each fined an undisclosed amount by the league, but do not face suspensions. Hawaii's Mike Tillis and Morrie Roe and Wichita's Kerry Linnear and Drew Mitchell were ejected following a second-quarter brawl that delayed the game 15 minutes. ... If the season ended this week, the Islanders would be the second seed from the National Conference and would draw a bye in the first round of the af2 playoffs. Tulsa owns the conference's best record at 6-1. Tennessee Valley of the American Conference is the league's only undefeated team at 6-0.
