DENNIS ODA/DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Josh White is the only true fullback the Islanders will have available for their game in San Diego on Saturday.
Arceneaux in no hurry
Time is a quarterback's greatest ally, and thanks to the play of his backup over the last three weeks, Darnell Arceneaux isn't rushing a return to the field for the Hawaiian Islanders.
Arceneaux is scheduled to come off the injured reserve list this week after sitting out three games with a broken bone in his throwing hand. But the Islanders have gone 2-1 with Mike Tillis at the controls, giving Arceneaux the luxury of perhaps waiting another week before returning to the field.
"I can play with it, but I just don't want it to limit my team or have it get worse later," Arceneaux said before doing some light throwing in practice earlier this week. "I'd hate to go out there and not play well and lose a game instead of coming back healthy and giving them a better chance to win.
"The best thing about it is we're still 8-3, we're right where we want to be and I can still get healthy."
The Islanders leave for an arenafootball2 road game at division rival San Diego tomorrow. The Islanders face the Riptide on Saturday at 4 p.m. (Hawaii time).
In Arceneaux's absence, Tillis has helped keep the Islanders in first-place of the National Conference's West Division by throwing 15 touchdown passes. He also orchestrated a 23-point fourth-quarter rally in last week's 44-43 win over Peoria.
"We're in a position right now, where fortunately I can rest," Arceneaux said. "That's what championship teams have, they've got guys that when somebody goes out can jump right in.
"It's a credit to our system and what Coach Vinny (Passas) and Coach Cal (Lee) have done."
While Arceneaux is on the mend, another Islanders player was fitted for a cast this week. Fullbacklinebacker Vai Notoa has a broken right thumb, and will likely be placed on the injured reserve list.
Pay day: Desmond Maul finally earned a paycheck yesterday after suiting up for the first time this season in last week's win over Peoria.
The defensive specialist recorded a game-high 7 1/2 tackles and broke up a pass in his first action of the season.
"I love playing the game, that's what kept me here," Maul said. "You can get down, but I just love the game so much that I stayed with it and my teammates helped me get through it."
Maul covered Peoria's Jack Walker, the league's leading scorer, much of the night. Although Walker racked up 96 receiving yards and two touchdowns, Maul got the last word by breaking up a fourth-down pass at the goalline on to thwart a Peoria scoring opportunity.
The defensive stop sparked the Islanders' fourth-quarter rally.
"It's exciting to come back and get some key stops in the game," Maul said. "It boosts my confidence a lot and makes me feel better going into the next week. Hopefully, I'll get to suit up again."
Saturday's game was also a breakout night for veteran Darrick Branch. The former University of Hawaii receiver caught three passes for 73 yards and set up the winning touchdown with a 35-yard reception.
Playoff chase: Wichita remains on the Islanders' heels at 7-4 in the division. The Stealth play at Arkansas (6-4) on Saturday. Bakersfield (5-6), which has won four in a row to move into third in the division, can help the Islanders' hopes for home-field advantage in the playoffs with a win at Tulsa (9-2).
The Islanders enter this week with the third best record in the National Conference, a game behind Tulsa and Quad City. If they finish in the top two, they'll earn a first-round bye and host a second-round game.
"We have to keep winning so we can have a playoff game here in Hawaii, which will be fun because I know it'll be pure pandemonium," Arceneaux said.
Looking ahead: The Islanders return home next week to face Quad City. The Steamwheelers (9-2) have a bye this week.
Hawaii escaped with a 53-52 win April 4 in Moline, Ill. to drop the Steamwheelers to 0-2. Quad City has since reeled off nine straight wins and leads the National Midwest division.
