Bring The Noise
April 9, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Hawaiian Islanders News Release
Bring The Noise!
That's what we need everyone to do on April 26th.
The Hawaiian Islanders have set the tone this year on defense. In a game where defensive stands can be counted on one hand, the Islanders have averaged more than a fistful in their first two games. The result is a 2-0 start with a huge win on the road against perennial powerhouse Quad City (af2 champions in 2000 & 2001). Coach Darren Hernandez said it best when he said the Islanders defense 'Brings the noise'. Already the Islanders are considered the hardest hitting team in the league. No surprise to local fans...big surprise to opposing quarterbacks.
So on April 26th, when the Islanders return home to take on conference foe San Diego...help raise the roof by Bringing The Noise when the Islanders are on D!
Aloha,
Chris Dey
Executive Director & General Manager
Hawaiian Islanders
A Look Back at the First Two Wins of the Season
HAWAII 48, GREEN BAY 37
March 30, 2003 at the Neal Blaisdell Arena
HONOLULU â The Islanders shook off a sluggish start to beat the visiting Green Bay Blizzard 48-37 in the arenafootball2 league opener for both teams. An enthusiastic crowd of 2,847 at the Blaisdell Arena watched Hawaii's Cal Lee earn his first win.
"I'm real happy for the coaching staff," said Lee. "They did a marvelous job of working with the players and they never gave up. The players worked real hard and they weren't going to let this game go away."
The Islanders were led by quarterback Darnell Arceneaux who finished 9-of-21for 180 yards. He threw four touchdowns and ran for one. He was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the game.
While Islanders won the game, Arceneaux was concerned about the team playing as one. "We have a lot of good athletes on this team. Right now we need to gel and play together," said Arceneaux. "We just needed a little more time."
Wide receiver/defensive back Nian Taylor caught three touchdowns from Arceneaux. He had four catches for 94 yards. Taylor also had four tackles on defense and was selected as the Ironman of the Game.
"I didn't know I'd score three touchdowns in the game but I'll take three touchdowns any day," said Taylor. He credits practicing hard for the past month for his performance but says he's capable of more. "I could've contributed more but I was cramping up."
HAWAII 53, QUAD CITY 52
April 4, 2003 at the MARK of the Quad Cities
MOLINE, ILLINOIS â Coaches in the arenafootball2 league are beginning to find out what Hawaii coaches have known for years...don't underestimate Cal Lee.
In what is considered as the finest win in the short 18-game existence of the Hawaiian Islanders, the team from the 50th state stunned the Quad City Steamwheelers 53-52 before 6,141 fans at the MARK of the Quad Cities.
Darnell Arceneaux hit Darrell Jones with an 8-yard touchdown pass and a two-point conversion to Nian Taylor with 55-seconds left in the fourth quarter for the winning score, but it took a missed extra point by Quad City's Brian Hegnauer with 12-seconds left to give the Islanders a one point win.
"Well it was a heck of game in Quad City," said Lee. "I'm really so proud of our coaching staff, the great job they did again and the players, they never gave up."
"In the second half, we had a safety and a quick score against us but the players never gave up. They fought to the very end and I'm proud of what they did."
Taylor was Hawaii's leading receiver catching five passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns. In addition to his winning two-point conversion catch, he also registered 4.5 tackles and a kickoff return for 19 yards as he was named both the MVP and the Ironman of the game. Defensive specialist Eddie Klaneski led Hawaii in tackles with four solo and two assists and two pass breakups was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game.
The Islanders traveled 4,282 miles to Moline but were not thinking of losing.
"We talked about traveling and how tough it is to win on the road," Lee said. "Basically you just got to be ready to play no matter where you go. It's not a given when you take a trip, you are going to lose. You have to go out there to win and the players believed in themselves, the coaches believed in the players and we just believed that we could do it and as it turned out, we were just very fortunate that we came out victorious."
Although none of the post-game awards were given to Darnell Arceneaux, the 6-2 quarterback had another outstanding game with 196 yards passing and two touchdowns while rushing for 22 yards. He did not commit an interception and threw to seven different receivers in the game.
"Darnell and the offensive group did a heck of a job. So many guys made big plays. Overall the team just hung in there and played their hearts out," Lee said.
There were three ties and three lead changes and the largest lead by any team was nine points. There were no turnovers in the game and there were only seven penalties called.
Following a 24-all tie at the half, Quad City got their first big break when Arceneaux was sacked on the first play in the third quarter giving the Steamwheelers a 26-24 lead. On the ensuing free kick, Quad City's Jeff Hewitt took the kick and raced 52-yards for a score and a 33-24 lead.
Hawaii rallied on their next series when Taylor caught a 18-yard touchdown pass from Arceneaux to close the gap to 33-31. After a Quad City touchdown, Chris Paogofie scored his second rushing touchdown of the game and following the point after, Quad City had a slim 39-38 lead.
The Islander defense came up big on their next series stopping the Steamwheelers on downs. Two players later Vai Notoa raced 9-yards and gave Hawaii their first lead since the second quarter, 45-39.
Quad City regained the lead on their next possession as quarterback Tony Zimmerman scored from two yards out for a 46-45 lead. Hawaii got the ball back with 6:23 left in the game and marched 38 yards in seven plays that took 6:25 off the clock with Jones scoring from 8-yards.
With 55-seconds remaining, Quad City raced 30-yards in five plays and scored on a Zimmerman to Randall Lane 6-yard pass. Hegnauer's game-tying extra point bounced off the left upright and bounced left.
"This is a game of four quarters and things happen, but you just can't give up on yourself and now players don't believe in giving up. Until the fourth quarter ends, this game is up for grabs," Lee said.
Hawaii (2-0) has won four games in a row dating back to last season. Quad City (0-1) suffered only their third home loss in 25 regular season home games.
**PREVIOUS ISLANDERS EVENTS: Where the Islanders have been
COACHES LUNCHEON AT BIG ISLAND STEAKHOUSE
*Monday, March 24, 2003 marked the first Coaches Luncheon at Big Island Steakhouse in the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Head Coach Cal Lee, Assistant Coach Frank Pahia, and players Darrick Branch and Nian Taylor were there to answer questions regarding the first game on Sunday against the Green Bay Blizzard.
*The second Coaches Luncheon took place Monday, March 31, one day after the Islanders' first game and first win against Green Bay. Head Coach Cal Lee and players Eddie Klaneski and Anthony Arceneaux took part in the celebration as well as the anticipation of the Islanders' second game against the Quad City Steamwheelers.
*On Monday, April 7, Assistant Coach Vince Passas and Islander players Darnell Arceneaux and Morrie Roe were at Big Island Steakhouse for the weekly Coaches Luncheon. Spirits were high as they just returned from a big win on the road against Quad City.
**ISLANDERS EVENTS AT A GLANCE: Upcoming Events (More to come)
April 10 (Thurs.) Islanders Weekly TV show on OC-16
April 14 (Mon.) Coaches Luncheon at Big Island Steakhouse
April 19 (Sat.) Hawaiian Islanders visit the Bakersfield Blitz
April 26 (Sat.) Next home game vs. San Diego Riptide
ISLANDERS WEEKLY TV SHOW
*Get IN the Game with the Islanders Weekly TV show on OC-16. Each episode features in-depth coverage of the games, players, coaches and behind the scenes action. The thirty-minute show will air this week at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Beginning the week of April 14th, the show will air every weeknight at 9:00 p.m. on OC-16.
DATE: Starting April 10 (Thursday)
TIME: Starting time varies
CHANNEL: OC-16
CONTACT: For more information contact us at:
733 Bishop Street Suite #2500
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-532-7362
808-537-9165 (FAX)
COACHES LUNCHEON AT BIG ISLAND STEAKHOUSE
*On Monday, April 14, and continuing every Monday until the end of the season, join the Hawaiian Islanders for a Coaches Luncheon at Big Island Steakhouse in the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Hawaiian Islanders coaches, players, and other guests will discuss the upcoming game and answer questions from the audience. Alema Harrington will MC the event. The luncheon will take place every Monday afternoon from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.. Islander fans are invited and encouraged to attend the weekly luncheon to get to know the coaches and players while enjoying the great food Big Island Steakhouse has to offer.
For reservations please call Big Island Steakhouse at 537-4446.
DATE: April 14 (Monday)
TIME: 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Big Island Steakhouse
CONTACT: For more information contact us at:
733 Bishop Street Suite #2500
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-532-7362
808-537-9165 (FAX)
HAWAIIAN ISLANDERS VISIT BAKERSFIELD BLITZ
*With a bye this week, the next game for the Islanders is Saturday, April 19 when they will travel to California to take on the Bakersfield Blitz. After two exciting wins against the new Green Bay Blizzard and powerhouse Quad City, the Islanders have two weeks to prepare for another road game. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Centennial Arena in Bakersfield.
DATE: April 19 (Saturday)
TIME: 7:00 p.m. (PDT)
LOCATION: Centennial Arena
CONTACT: For more information contact us at:
733 Bishop Street Suite #2500
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-532-7362
808-537-9165 (FAX)
NEXT HOME GAME VS. SAN DIEGO RIPTIDE
*If you were there to experience the excitement of the Islanders' first game against Green Bay, you can guarantee that on Saturday, April 26, when San Diego comes to the Blaisdell it will be even louder and more intense. If you weren't there the first game, make sure you're there this time...you could even win a free football! Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at the Blaisdell Center.
DATE: April 26 (Saturday)
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Neal Blaisdell Center
CONTACT: For more information contact us at:
733 Bishop Street Suite #2500
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-532-7362
808-537-9165 (FAX)
**2003 TICKET PRICES
*Last chance to get season tickets! The "7-Game Package" is only $56 for General Admission, $70 for Lower Bowl (limited seating) and $35 for Students 17-and-under. Offer ends: APRIL 21, 2003!!!
*Group ticket sales are also available. Get a group of 15 or more and enjoy a night of arena football with your co-workers, baseball team, or a bunch of your friends. Call 532-7362 for more details.
THE "7-GAME PACKAGE"
Lower Arena Reserved Sideline Seating $70
General Admission Upper Arena Seating $56
Students/Junior (ages 17 & younger) $35
SINGLE GAME TICKETS
Lower Arena Reserved Sideline Seating $15
General Admission Upper Arena Seating $10
Students/Junior (ages 17 & younger) $7
Suite Seating (individual) $22.50 â SOLD OUT
ISLANDER NEWS!
For more information about the Hawaiian Islanders go to www.hawaiianislanders.com or call us at 53-ARENA.
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
