The Sugar Skulls have signed Quinton Pedroza and Carrington Thompson Sr., and re-signed Malik Stanley
(Tucson, AZ) The Tucson Sugar Skulls have added three offensive players to continue to bolster their passing game for the 2022 season, signing wide receivers Quinton Pedroza and Carrington Thompson Sr., and also re-signing wide receiver Malik Stanley.
WR Quinton Pedroza (6’2, 215, University of Hawaii) will be joining the Sugar Skulls for his first season with the team and second in the IFL. He spent 2019 with the Quad City Steamwheelers, when he was the leading receiver on the No. 1 passing offense in the league (194.9 yards per game). That season, “Q” finished second in the IFL in receptions (63), third in receiving yards (918) and second in receiving touchdowns (25) leading him to a First Team All-IFL selection. In addition to his honors on the field, Pedroza was selected as the recipient of the Adam Pringle Man of the Year Award, given annually to the player or coach who exemplifies outstanding service and dedication to their surrounding community.
Having played collegiately at the University of Hawaii for two seasons (2014-2015), Pedroza hauled in 82 receptions for 968 yards and four touchdowns for the Rainbow Warriors. Prior to transferring to Hawaii, Pedroza started his college career at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and played two seasons for the Utes (2011-2012). A native of Chino, California, Pedroza attended Chino High School and experienced a decorated lone season of high school football as a senior in 2010. That season, he was selected all-conference, all-Valley, all-San Bernadino County and was the league’s MVP while contributing to the Cowboys 11-1 record and league title.
WR Carrington Thompson Sr. (6’3, 185, Western Michigan University) will also join the Sugar Skulls for his first year with the team and second in the league. Displaying elite size and speed, Thompson was the favorite target of newly-signed Sugar Skulls quarterback Daquan Neal during the 2021 season for the IFL’s no. 4 seed, the Iowa Barnstormers. While only playing ten games, Thompson was still Iowa’s leading receiver in every category, with 39 receptions for 568 yards and eight touchdowns.
Prior to joining Iowa, Thompson was a primary playmaker for the West Michigan Ironmen of the American Arena League (AAL). Thompson joined West Michigan after going undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft, following a highly successful career at Western Michigan University. During his senior season in 2016, Thompson caught 42 passes for 637 yards and six touchdowns, as he helped the Broncos go undefeated (13-0) in the regular season. That year, Thompson would play for WMU in the Cotton Bowl and the team finished the year ranked No. 15 in the Final AP poll.
A native of Houston, Texas, Thompson attended Lamar High School in Houston and helped the Texans to district championships in 2011 and 2012, as well as a regional championship in 2012.
WR Malik Stanley (6’3, 220, Louisiana Tech) will be returning to the Sugar Skulls for his second year with the team. During his rookie season in 2021, Stanley appeared in nine games and recorded 11 catches for 127 yards and four touchdowns. Stanley’s best games in 2021 came in his two games against the Northern Arizona Wranglers with seven catches for 76 yards and four scores, including a 30-yarder in the last game of the season. He was also a factor on special teams, tallying seven total tackles for the year.
During his college career, Stanley spent one season at Louisiana Tech (2019), earning an All-Conference USA Honorable Mention and recorded a team-high 649 yards on 40 receptions and three touchdowns. Prior to transferring to LA Tech, Stanley played two seasons at University of South Alabama, including a junior season where he totaled 27 catches for 324 yards and three touchdowns.
Press Release courtesy of the Tucson Sugar Skulls – Abbey Rarick
