(Tucson, AZ) Heading into the game today, the Sugar Skulls were in the midst of a four game losing streak that began April 6th against the Nebraska Danger. Ironically, Tucson’s last victory was against the San Diego Strike Force.
San Diego sits at 1-7 and had just undergone their second wholesale roster change the week prior.
With the Sugar Skulls sitting just on the outside of a playoff berth needed to get make the current losing streak a thing of the past.
The opening kickoff, Jeremiah Harris almost took it to the house on a thirty yard return and quarterback Jake Medlock on the next play hit Rico Brown for a quick strike touchdown to put the Skulls up 7-0.
The “new” Strike Force offense came right back and score off a Marques Rodgers ran it in to tie the score at 7-7 at the 11:41 mark of the first quarter.
Seemed like an instant replay as Harris had a thirty one yard kick off return and put Tucson ion business. Brown on an indoor version of a jet sweep to score and put the Sugar Skulls back on top 14-7 with 6;34 to go in the opening quarter.
Both offenses moved the ball successfully and tried to make this contest a “track meet.”
At the end of the first quarter, Tucson only had twenty four yards of total offense due to the long run backs by Harris. The Strike Force led in every statistical category except on the scoreboard.
On the opening drive of the second quarter Medlock ran it in on a keeper to extend the lead to 21-7. Just as in the previous four games in this losing streak, the Skulls went out to a sizable lead early.
After holding San Diego on a four and out possession, the Sugar Skulls scored on a sweet crossing pattern by Shaq Curenton from fifteen yards out. Tucson was on a roll and led 27-7 although they missed the extra point.
The track meet continued as Strike Force return man Rodgers ran the ensuing kickoff back to the house to draw San Diego back within two touchdowns at 27-14.
This game was a contest of long run backs as both special teams return players racked up the yards.
On the first turnover of the game, Medlock threw a pick six to Tyler Thornton and the Skulls woes began to surface. In games past during this four game skid, it’s been turnovers at inopportune times that have given Tucson head coach Marcus Coleman headaches. Now back to i single possession game, the once twenty point lead had been dwindled down to six at 27-21.
The Medlock to Brown tandem worked again as the Skulls made amends for the interception and put the lead back at 34-21 with just under three minutes left in the half.
With 1:32 to go in the half, Cam Gaddis got Tucson back in business with a pick along the sidelines. San Diego had Medlock for a fifteen yard sack but a penalty negated the play. Medlock made them pay again with his second rushing touchdown to give the Sugar Skulls a 41-21 halftime lead.
San Diego received the second half kick but a quick turnover off of a fumble put the ball back in the red zone for the Skulls.
Tucson had their touchdown pass called back as the result of a holding penalty. These are the same types of errors that have caused Tucson problems this season. Another holding call with 8:27 to go in the quarter prevented a second TD. The Skulls set up for a field goal attempt when Medlock took the ball up the right side but was denied the end zone by the Strike Force defense. A wasted opportunity by the Sugar Skulls as San Diego took over on downs.
Medlock left the game After rolling his ankle late in the third quarter and former starter Matt Behrendt took over and drove Tucson down the field and threw a bullet pass to wide out Malique Belfort for a touchdown increasing the lead to 47-21 with just :58 left on the clock.
After three quarters of play, the Sugar Skulls led in total yardage with 161 – 113. The biggest stat that jumped out was the time of possession where Tucson had had the ball 7:28 longest than the Strike Force. The tack meet of the first half had come to an end as the Skulls headed to the final period leading by twenty 47-21.
San Diego scored right off the rip to start the fourth Quaker with a touchdown but missed their second extra point to count the lead back to twenty 47-27.
In the past four games, the fourth quarter has not been kind to the Sugar Skulls giving up leads and not playing like Coleman and the coaching staff has drawn up.
Tucson ran the clock down on their next possession getting a much needed first down when Behrendt managed to gain just enough yardage on a broken play with just over four and a half minutes left in the game
Keeoing the ball on the ground via the inside jet sweep that had paid dividends for the Sugar Skulls the entire game. The proverbial “nail in the coffin came with just 1:36 left on a quarterback keeper up the middle by Behrendt to double the lead 54-27.
The Strike Force score late with :36 left on a crossing pattern but too little, too late. The final score was 54-34.
The Sugar Skulls have had San Diego’s number all season long even after two wholesale roster changes as they get off the snide and win convincingly.
So for now, Tucson is back in the playoff hunt with a 4-5 record, but have a quick turnaround to a Thursday matchup with the same Strike Force in America’s Finest City at the Sports Arena.
