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Arizona Rattlers

Rattlers Win Second Straight After Week Nine Victory against Sugar Skulls

May 13, 2024 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


Glendale, Ariz. -- In an exciting game on the road, the Arizona Rattlers (4-3) emerged victorious with a 38-32 win over their in-state rivals, the Tucson Sugar Skulls (1-5), in Week Nine of the IFL.

It was a closely contested match, as both sides put up a good fight, but the Rattlers came out with the win following a solid defensive performance in the final moments of the game.

The Arizona Rattlers began the first half on the defensive end and almost forced a turnover on the opening drive for the Tuscon Sugar Skulls. Instead, the Sugar Skulls nailed a field goal, taking the first lead of the game. Dalton Sneed was a game-time decision heading into the matchup after suffering an injury in practice last week. At the helm in this matchup was Garrett Kettle. Jamal Miles scored the game's first touchdown for the Rattlers, as both teams scored on their first possessions. It was a quick three-and-out for the Sugar Skulls off the backs of a sack from Theo Majette.

To begin the second quarter, the Rattlers failed to convert on fourth-and-goal. Buoyed by the stop on the goal line, rookie quarterback Mylik Mitchell rushed in for his 10th rushing touchdown of the season. However, the extra point was no good. The Rattlers responded with a touchdown, as Shannon Brooks wouldn't be denied, showing his athleticism and leaping into the end zone for a 14-9 lead. Connor Taylor, who has stepped up in various points throughout the season, made an open-field tackle on fourth-and-7, and the Rattlers would kick a field goal in the ensuing drive. To end the first half, Tuscon nailed a 41-yard field goal to narrow the lead, and the Rattlers went into the locker room with a 17-12 lead.

The Rattlers came out of the locker room firing, as Kettle found Glenn Gibbons Jr. for a 33-yard touchdown pass. On first-and-1, the Rattlers forced a fumble in their end zone. Arizona couldn't capitalize on the turnover, as the offense stalled in the middle of the field. The Sugar Skulls scored a touchdown on the backs of Brian Smith, cutting into the Rattlers' lead.

Following a quiet third quarter for both teams, Brooks rushed into the end zone for his second touchdown of the night, extending their lead to 15. Mitchell found a wide-open Marshall in the end zone, cutting the lead to 16 points. After two failed challenges from head coach Billy Back, it was confirmed that Miles scored his second touchdown of the game. The Sugar Skulls made things interesting with a late touchdown by Smith for his second of the night for Tuscon, but it was too late.

The Rattlers will host the Bay Area Panthers at Desert Diamond Arena on Saturday, May 18, at 8:05 p.m. CT, looking to extend their winning streak.

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