IFL Bay Area Panthers

Panthers Host Undefeated Tucson on Sunday

Published on April 12, 2023 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Bay Area Panthers News Release


Coming off a bye week, the Panthers face another tough test with a visit from the Tucson Sugar Skulls. Bay Area is 1-1 coming off the loss at Massachusetts while the Sugar Skulls come to the South Bay with a 2-0 record after a victory at Arizona.

"We'll have our hands full, for sure," said Head Coach and General Manager Darren Arbet. "They've got a lot of talent and a very good quarterback who can make plays."

Panthers quarterback Dalton Sneed is producing at a high level-leading the league in touchdown passes without an interception (7). Sneed is completing 65% of his passes and averages 146 passing yards in the first two games. He's also in the top 10 in rushing with 110 yards and three touchdowns.

Wide receiver JT Stokes is tied for second in the IFL with five TD receptions. He leads the league with an average of 82.5 receiving yards per game.

Tucson has a new signal caller in quarterback Ramone Atkins, who comes to the desert after a breakout year in Duke City as a rookie. Atkins takes over for former MVP Daquan Neal, who moved on to taking the starting job in Vegas. In two games, Atkins has completed 26 of 43 throws for 260 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions.

Sugar Skulls' running back Mike Jones figures to remain a high-usage workhorse-with 28 carries for 87 yards and three scores.

Both teams have first-year IFL coaches as Tucson elevated Hurtis Chinn after serving as the offensive coordinator last season for Dixie Wooten. With Chinn as the play-caller, the Skulls had the second highest offense in the league with Chinn being named the 2022 IFL Assistant Coach of the Year.

The Panthers lost both matchups last year to Tucson, falling 58-33 in Tucson and 50-41 in the season finale on July 17 in San Jose. Isaac Hurd ran for two scores and connected with Nick Brassell on a 39 -yard scoring pass. Duane Gary led the rushing attack with 44 yards and two touchdowns. Bay Area led 28-23 at halftime but was held to 13 points in the second half.

Kickoff is set to 5:05 on Sunday at SAP Center.

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