IFL Tucson Sugar Skulls

Mistakes Cost Sugar Skulls

Published on April 15, 2019 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tucson Sugar Skulls News Release


TUCSON, Arizona - By the numbers the rematch between the Tucson Sugar Skulls and the Arizona Rattlers was anticipated to be an offensive shootout as the matchup pitted the IFL's top two teams in points, passing yards, rushing yards and total yards.

In the end, it was the Rattlers defense and special teams that had the final word with second-half touchdowns on a blocked field and an interception return in a 55-41 victory over the Sugar Skulls before a crowd of 4,138 at Tucson Arena.

The game started with both teams scoring touchdowns on their first possessions and the game appeared to be on its way to becoming a high-scoring affair.

Quarterback Jake Medlock, who started his second game of the season, caught fire early on the way to having a hand in six touchdowns, three passing and three rushing. He threw for 168 yards and rushed for another 41.

The Rattlers were holding onto a 7-point lead in the third quarter when the momentum shifted on a blocked field goal recovered in the end zone by wide receiver Dillion Winfrey, giving Arizona a 42- 28 lead. Early in the fourth quarter, an interception return for a touchdown by Phillip Henry put some distance between the Rattlers and Sugar Skulls, who led 55-35 at that point.

The game mirrored the March 16 encounter in Phoenix when a blocked field goal and fumble led to Rattlers scores that the Sugar Skulls couldn't recover from in a 63-28 loss.

"This game is similar to the last one, we were just in this one a little bit longer until the blocked field goal and the turnover," said Head Coach Marcus Coleman. "Unfortunately, that's on us as coaches to get it right and we will. It's a matter of us going back to the drawing board, moving pieces around."

"We had some turnovers, shooting ourselves in the foot," said Sugar Skulls wide receiver Rico Brown, who had two touchdown catches. "It was self-inflicted wounds. That was really what it came down to at the end of the day."

The Sugar Skulls will try to snap a two-game losing streak when they travel to face the Quad City Steamwheelers, on Saturday, April 20. Kickoff is 5 p.m., Tucson time. The game will be streamed live on the IFL YouTube.

- Despite the loss, the Sugar Skulls held their ground in the IFL standings in fifth place and still ahead of the other expansion teams. The top six teams in the standings earn a playoff berth.

- Wide receiver Rashad Canty led the team in receptions with four while Brown led the team with 59 yards receiving and the two touchdowns.

- Running back Mike Jones, who has scored a touchdown in every game he's played in this season, was held without a touchdown for the first time this season.

- The 14-point victory margin was the unbeaten Rattlers' closest of the season. They entered the game with a 32-point average victory margin in five wins, and their closest game was 18 points against the Sioux Falls Storm.

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Indoor Football League Stories from April 15, 2019


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