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IFL Tucson Sugar Skulls

Sugar Skulls Clinch Third Seed with Win over Panthers

July 18, 2022 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tucson Sugar Skulls News Release


TUCSON - The Tucson Sugar Skulls defeated the Bay Area Panthers by the score of 50-41 on Saturday night at the SAP Center.

The win gives the Sugar Skulls their first winning season in franchise history as they finished the season 9-7. Tucson has made the playoffs twice in its three-year history thus far.

In control

The Panthers were right in the mix all game long, but Tucson led after every quarter of action in this one and held their control into the closing moments of the game. Bay Area did a nice job answering nearly every Tucson score, but a field goal by Logan Justus to put the Skulls ahead by nine ended up being the finishing touches.

Quarterback Daquan Neal finished the night 10-for-20 on pass attempts with 108 yards, 2 touchdowns, and one interception. He also had a 6-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter.

On defense, Tucson brought the heat as they forced one fumble, and had two interceptions and two sacks against the Panthers. Ephraim Kitchen led all Skulls with 9 tackles, including 1 pass breakup and 1 tackle for loss. Ronald Collins also had himself a night, as he recorded six tackles, two for loss, and one sack along with a recovered fumble on the night.

Jones Shining

Benjamin Jones took over running back duties for usual starter Mike Jones (who got the night off) and didn't skip a beat. The talented back had 100 total yards and 2 touchdowns on the evening. He had 66 yards on the ground attack, where two of his scores came. Jones also chipped in with 34 receiving yards to go with his three receptions.

Last week's IFL's Special Teams Player of the Week had himself quite the game.

Special Teams making plays

The Sugar Skulls have been excellent at kick returns all season long, and that continued tonight. Jovon White took one the entire length of the field for the 50-yard kickoff return touchdown.

Tucson ranks 2nd in the IFL in kick return touchdowns with 6, only trailing the Ratters who have 7. The Skulls also lead the IFL in total kick return yardage with 1,704 yards.

Playoff bound

The win solidified the third seed in the Western Conference for the Sugar Skulls. They will face the Northern Arizona Wranglers in Prescott Valley on Saturday, July 23rd at 6:05 pm.

The winner of that game will face the winner of the 1 vs. 4 matchup as the Arizona Rattlers will host the Duke City Gladiators.



Indoor Football League Stories from July 18, 2022


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