[ ARENA FOOTBALL ]
Islanders open season
with high-scoring winArceneaux throws six TDs and
runs for one more on the road
FRESNO, Calif. » The way the Hawaiian Islanders began their season last nigh, it looks like they have a good shot at another arenafootball2 West Division championship.
The Islanders welcomed the Central Valley Coyotes (formerly the Bakersfield Blitz) to af2 with a 68-35 thrashing before about 2,500 fans at Selland Arena. The Islanders are 3-0 in season openers.
It was also the Islanders' second-highest point total in their three years, and most in a win. The previous high was in an 83-73 loss to Arkansas in 2002.
Islanders coach Cal Lee was happy with the way his team played yesterday, especially quarterback Darnell Arceneaux.
"I thought he played well," he said. "I thought overall as a team we played OK. We have a lot of work to do. I think we can play better."
That's not good news to other af2 teams.
The Islanders played without Nian Taylor, Randyn Akiona, Gabe Amey, Brian Ah Yat and Eddie Klaneski.
They did, however, have the Arceneaux brothers.
Darnell Arceneaux, who considered retirement after last season, threw four of his six touchdown passes to brother Anthony Arceneaux. Darnell completed 20 of 28 passes for 308 yards and rushed for a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Anthony made five catches for 114 yards and scored on plays of 12, 10, 35 and 49 yards. Robert Kemfort also caught scoring passes of 49 and 26 yards, and rookie Mike Miller caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen.
"I could've played a lot better," said Darnell Arceneaux, who missed five games last season because of a hand injury. "The offensive line did a great job. We've got to go out and win every game. We have a lot of games left and we have to seize the moment."
Kemfort praised the way the team played.
"It was a good opening game for us," he said. "Darnell was in a zone tonight. We were anxious to play this game. The team chemistry is great."
Rookie linebacker Keiki Misipeka provided motivation for the Islanders' defense. The Islanders only allowed three points in the first quarter and gave up 13 points in the second half.
"It's a big win, " Misipeka said. "You have to go all out and play hard-nosed physical football. We played together as a team. We're one family and we trust each other. The offense inspired everyone."
Notes: Islanders single-game tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. tomorrow at Blaisdell Arena. Tickets are $10-$35. The Islanders' home opener is April 17 against Bossier-Shreveport after a bye this week and a road game at Louisville on April 10. ... The Islanders are No. 5 in the preseason edition of af2's inaugural coaches' poll. The Top 12 rankings will be released weekly, but it will not have any impact on playoff berths. ... Former San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh honored 400 local high school athletes at halftime.
Islanders 68, Coyotes 35
Hawaiian Islanders 14 15 20 19 -- 68 Central Valley Coyotes 3 12 6 14 -- 35 Haw -- Anthony Arceneaux 12 pass from Darnell Arceneaux (Kimo Naehu kick)
CV -- 39 FG Ty Dondelinger
Haw -- Keiki Misipeka 2 run (Naehu kick)
CV -- LaMonte Jones 45 pass from Jose Fuentes (kick blocked)
Haw -- A. Arceneaux 11 pass from D. Arceneaux (kick failed)
Haw -- Robert Kemfort 49 pass from D. Arceneaux (kick failed)
CV -- Kenyatte Morgan 19 pass from Fuentes (kick failed)
Haw -- 39 FG Naehu
Haw -- A. Arceneaux 30 pass from D. Arceneaux (kick failed)
Haw -- A. Arceneaux 49 pass from D. Arceneaux (Naehu kick)
CV -- Morgan 27 pass from Fuentes (kick failed)
Haw -- Kemfort 27 pass from D. Arceneaux (Naehu kick)
CV -- Marvin Brown 12 pass from Fuentes (Dondelinger kick)
Haw -- D. Arceneaux 1 run (Naehu kick)
Haw -- Aaron Smith 21 interception return (kick blocked)
Haw -- Mike Miller 10 pass from Withy-Allen (kick failed)
CV -- Kyle Biggs 3 run (Dondelinger kick)RUSHING--Haw: D. Arceneaux 5-25; Misipeka 2-13; Vai Notoa 1-2. CV: Marshall Blount 1-29; Kevin Nelson 1-8; Kyle Biggs1-3.
PASSING--Haw: D. Arceneaux 18-26-1-277; Withy Allen 2-3-0-30. CV: Fuentes 19-32-3-223; Biggs 3-6-1-33; Morgan 0-1-0-0; Team 0-0-0-(minus-4).
RECEIVING--Haw: A. Arceneaux 5-100; Miller 5-48; Kemfort 4-90; Smith 3-39; Channon Harris 2-24; Morrie Roe 1-6. CV: Morgan 8-111; Jones 5-85; Brown 3-32; Howard Maxwell 3-17; JaJuan Huddleston 2-4; Von Keith Spencer 1-7.
