NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Tucson Sugar Skulls

Offense Stalls Late as Sugar Skulls Drop Contest with Rattlers

June 13, 2021 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tucson Sugar Skulls News Release


PHOENIX, AZ - The Tucson Sugar Skulls fought hard against their in-state rivals, the Arizona Rattlers, but fell just short in a 34-44 loss at the Snake Pit.

Aerial Attack

Quarterback Demry Croft shook off a slow start in the first quarter to jump start the Sugar Skulls offense in the second and third quarters. Croft helped the Sugar Skulls battle back and keep the game tight by racking up 142 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air, with 70 rushing yards on 11 attempts.

Running back Mike Jones added 25 rushing yards on the night and his sixth rushing touchdown of the season. Jones also added 40 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown to round out his performance. Jazeric Peterson and Kent Shelby II caught the other two touchdowns through the air. Wide receiver Ryan Balentine ended his night 36 receiving yards short of becoming the IFL's all-time receiving yardage leader.

Preventing Powell

The Sugar Skulls defense looked to stop a high-flying offense in the Arizona Rattlers and defending IFL Offensive Player of the Week, quarterback Drew Powell. Holding Powell to 145 passing yards, the Sugar Skulls only allowed one passing touchdown in the game. Delondo Boyd made plays all over the field, racking up 10 tackles throughout the game.

TT Barber and the Sugar Skulls' defense held the opposition to under 50 points for a fourth straight game to open the season. Barber led the team in tackles with 10 solo and two assisted.

Game Flow

The Rattlers jumped out to an early 16-0 lead in the first quarter to put Tucson in an early hole. Croft and the Sugar Skulls heated up in the second and third quarters, mounting a 34-14 run to take a 34-30 lead into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Rattlers earned a key stop to set up Drew Powell and the offense to regain the lead and hold off Tucson with two more scores to end the contest.

Meeting with Massachusetts

Coming out Week 8 with a record of 1-3, the Sugar Skulls will return home to host the Massachusetts Pirates on Saturday, June 19 at 6:05 MST. The Pirates are coming off of a loss to the undefeated Frisco Fighters, bringing them to a 3-3 record on the season. The Pirates entered Week 8 with the second-best scoring defense in the IFL.

• Discuss this story on the Indoor Football League message board...

Indoor Football League Stories from June 13, 2021


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.

OurSports Central