Riptide rolls into Hawaii
May 26, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release
SERIES HISTORY: 7 Games (SDG 2, HAW 5) – San Diego won the first two games of the all-time series with their divisional rivals, but have now lost five straight after a devastating overtime loss in Week 6 which saw Hawaii score a TD in overtime to pull to within one, then convert a 2-point try when Darnell Arceneaux ran the ball in on a quarterback keeper.
2004 SEASON: Hawaii took game one of the four-game series in Week 6, 55-54. The teams will meet twice more after this weekÂ’s game, with the next matchup coming on June 19, again in Hawaii.
GAME NOTES: Last Week’s stunning 62-52 upset of the Quad City Steamwheelers confirmed what everyone in the San Diego locker room already knew… The Riptide can play with anyone in the af2. After losing three games in four weeks by a combined seven points, the ‘Tide rolled past the league’s best team, torching the Quad City defense en route to their second win of the year.
The ‘Tide won’t get much of a respite in Week 9, however, as they will look for their first road win of the season against the division’s reigning champion, the Hawaiian Islanders.
The San Diego offense had been clicking on all cylinders since QB Kane Claunch entered the game in Week 2, but proved they were legitimate with a 62-point outburst last week against the leagueÂ’s best defense. Claunch set a Riptide franchise record by throwing for eight touchdowns, then ran in a ninth for good measure. He has completed 56.4 percent of his passes on the season, including 37 touchdowns, and now ranks among the top 10 in the league in every major passing category.
Although OS Dwight Carter has grabbed many of the headlines throughout the first six games of the season, it was WR/LB Nakoa McElrath that was ClaunchÂ’s favorite target in Week 8. McElrath grabbed six balls for 144 yards and set a Riptide record by hauling in five TD catches in the game. Jesus Reyes added another three TD scores to his resume as well.
The biggest difference for San Diego over the last few games, however, has been the continued improvement of the defense. After starting the season with a 12-to-4 giveaway/takeaway margin, theyÂ’ve managed to grab 11 turnovers from their opponents in the last four games, while only coughing it up five times.
The defense will have to continue to shine if San Diego hopes to stop Darnell Arceneaux and the Hawaiian Islanders. Arceneaux is among the league’s top offensive threats, getting it done with both his arm – he’s 2nd in Passer Rating (115.0) and 8th in TD passes (33) - and his legs – he’s 5th in rushing yards (110) and 4th in rushing TD’s (8). In all, Hawaii ranks seventh in the league in scoring, averaging nearly 52 points-per-game.
The Islanders are also among the leagueÂ’s best at getting turnovers, boasting a +4 turnover margin on the season.
SHARK BITES: Riptide OS Dwight Carter is just one TD catch away from the team’s all-time career mark (22) and 2 receiving TD’s away from the team’s all-time record for a single season (14), both currently held by teammate Marty Graham… DS Quincy LeJay currently ranks 3rd in af2 in tackles (38.5) with teammate Rico Curtis right on his heals with 34 tackles (7th)… Claunch has thrown for at least four TD passes in each of his last six games… This is the first of a season-long three game road trip. The ‘Tide don’t return home until June 26… QB Tony Corbin remains on short-term injured reserve with a sore shoulder…
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