[ ARENA FOOTBALL ]
Young Coyotes take
on IslandersCentral Valley brings a 1-8 record
to Hawaii for today’s game
Robert Kemfort understands the challenges facing the Central Valley Coyotes this season.
The Coyotes (1-8) aren't technically an expansion team, having moved from Bakersfield last year. But with a roster heavy on rookies, they have the look of a first-year program in arenafootball2. So Kemfort, a member of the original group of Hawaiian Islanders players who endured a 5-11 inaugural season in 2002, has an idea of how they're feeling.
"I know exactly what they're going through," Kemfort said as the Islanders prepared for tonight's game with Central Valley at Blaisdell Arena. "They're trying to test everybody out, they're not sure what to do. Going into a new franchise like that takes some time. That first year was hard on us."
Central Valley at Islanders
When: Today, 6:30 p.m.Where: Blaisdell Arena
TV: None
Radio: Live, 1500-AM
Internet: hawaiianislanders.com
Tickets: Lower bowl reserved $25; upper bowl sideline reserved $15; upper bowl end zone (general admission) $10; Youth (17 and under) $7; Handicap $10
Parking: $5
Promotions: Children 12 years old and under receive free admission with a Pizza Hut box top decorated with "Go Islanders." ... Adults receive half off the general admission price with a Pizza Hut Literacy Card ... Those with a ticket stub from the International Exotic Car and Cycle Show receive $2 off the general admission price.
The Coyotes are back in town for the third of four meetings with the Islanders this season.
The Islanders won the first two games with Central Valley, including a 54-48 victory at Blaisdell on May 22. But they've lost two straight since then to fall to 5-4 and into second place in the West Division.
"This is the second half of the season and if we don't turn things up now there's not a real chance of getting to where we want to be," lineman Kealii Aguiar said.
The parallels between the Islanders and Coyotes opening campaigns include a midseason coaching change. Just as Chad Carlson replaced Guy Benjamin as Islanders coach during the 2002 season, Fred Biletnikoff Jr., has taken over for Cree Morris, who stepped down on Tuesday.
Biletnikoff, the son of the Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame receiver, was Central Valley's offensive coordinator before being promoted this week and the Islanders expect to see a few new wrinkles in the Coyotes' game plan tonight.
"You don't know what they're going to do," Islanders coach Cal Lee said.
"You knew Cree and what he did and you almost got his pattern. Then you come up against a guy that is new and will probably want to put his stuff in. So you don't know what he's going to do."
Biletnikoff will try to jump-start a Central Valley offense that ranks next to last in the league in scoring with 35.6 points per game despite the efforts of Kenyatte Morgan, the af2 leader in all-purpose yards.
Morgan averages 95.4 receiving yards per game and is among the league's top kick returners. Morgan caught four touchdown passes against the Islanders in the last meeting.
The Coyotes will be without quarterback Kyle Biggs, who was placed on injured reserve this week. Frank Borba closed out Central Valley's 45-24 loss to San Diego last Saturday and the team added rookie Scott Austin to the roster this week.
The Islanders have had problems of their own the last two weeks. They dropped to last in af2 in total defense after giving up 152 points and 826 yards in losses to San Diego and Bakersfield. They are giving up a league-high 297.4 yards per game.
The Islanders' recent struggles on defense resulted in lively workouts this week as the team picked up the intensity in practice.
"(The coaches) want us hitting people and wrapping up," Kemfort said. "They're emphasizing a lot of defense and tackling drills."
The Islanders had to hold off a comeback by the Coyotes in the final minute the last time the teams played. So although Central Valley trails the pack in the West Division, the Islanders know they can't afford to overlook the Coyotes tonight.
"You can't look at any team's record because on any given day they can take you out," Kemfort said.