
Week 12 Preview
July 10, 2021 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Tucson Sugar Skulls News Release
The Tucson Sugar Skulls are set to host the Duke City Gladiators, for their second matchup of the season in Week 12 of Indoor Football League action. The Sugar Skulls put up their highest scoring total of the season in their last meeting between the two teams, winning by a score of 55-35 on the road back on May 22.
The game kicks off on Saturday, July 10 at 6:05 p.m. MST at the Tucson Convention Center.
Pure Passing
QuarterbackÃÂ Demry CroftÃÂ threw for 180 yards (1,256) & three touchdowns (22), while rushing for two more TDs (10) against a tough Rattlers defense last week. Croft will look ahead to the Gladiators defense, where he amassed six TDs in their last matchup. Croft's hot play has pushed the Sugar Skulls into third in the IFL in passing offense (154), is ranked third among QBs in passing yards-per-game (156.6) and is tied for second in passing TDs.
Wide ReceiverÃÂ Ryan BalentineÃÂ is now fourth in the IFL in receiving yards-per-game (55.1) and receiving yards (422) after three straight weeks of impressive performances. In his last game, he caught three TDs for 95 yards to help keep the Sugar Skulls in the game.
No Fly Zone
The Sugar Skull defense ranks fifth in the IFL in scoring defense (41.7) after a tough outing against a high-powered Rattler offense. In their first matchup against the Gladiators, the Sugar Skulls held the former 'IFL Offensive Player of the Week' Nate Davis, and his offense, to just 35 points while intercepting him three times in the first half.
Defensive back Michael Minter accounted for one of the INTs against Davis and is tied for fourth in the IFL with two INTs. He andÃÂ Matt ElamÃÂ both have six pass breakups on the season to help propel the Sugar Skull defense into the No. 5 ranking in passing defense (143.0).
Guarding the Gladiators
The Duke City Gladiators (3-4) are led by Davis, who leads the league in passing yards-per-game (182.7) and quarterback efficiency (181.3). He's led the Gladiator offense to the No.1 offensive efficiency (180.7) spot in passing offense (181.0) in the league.
Running it Up
The Gladiator defense has had its share of struggles on the season, ranking eighth in the IFL in every major defensive category. They've allowed their opponents to score 50 or more points in five of their seven games in 2021.
Indoor Football League Stories from July 10, 2021
- Week 12 Preview - Sioux Falls Storm
- Week 12 Preview - Arizona Rattlers
- Week 12 Preview - Tucson Sugar Skulls
- Week 12 Preview - Massachusetts Pirates
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.
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