(Tucson, AZ) The Sugar Skulls (4-3) were coming off the first home victory of the season last week over the Sioux Falls Storm.
Tonight is the second game against the Bay Area Panthers (5-3). In the first bout, the Skulls came out on top 34-30. Tucson was looking to come out on top again and get back on a winning streak.
Tucson came out with a rushing attack that lasted the entire first drive of the game, and resulted in a four yard touchdown by Running Back Mike Jones that put the Skulls up 7-0.
Bay Area answered right back with a one play thirty four yard pass from Quarterback Dalton Sneed to Wide Receiver Nih-Jer Jackson to tie the game 7-7.
The Panthers kept their momentum going with an interception by Defensive Back Bon Stevens Jr. That was followed by a rushing touchdown from a yard out by Running Back Justin Rankin. The extra point was missed and Bay Area took the lead 13-7.
Bay Area scored on a 1 point safety on the kickoff, now 14-7.
Tucson answered back with two consecutive scores which included Atkins legging in for a touchdown from four yards our. The score was tied 14-14 to end the quarter.
Bay Area got good field possession in Sugar Skulls territory but settled for a twenty one yard field goal by K Aedan Johnson to break the tie 17-14.
Back came Tucson when Atkins threw a thirty seven yard touchdown to Carrington Thompson that put the Skulls in the lead 21-17.
Tucson scored on a safety to up the score 23-17.
The Sugar Skulls found themselves up 30-17 as a result of a Mike Jones rushing score.
The Panthers’ Sneed threw a twenty six yard touchdown to Jackson to draw closer 30-24.
Bay Area recovered their on-side kick but couldn’t capitalize as the first half ended.
Tucson had a turnover on an interception by Defensive Back Antwon Kincaid. A few plays later the score was now a 31-30 Panther lead.
The Skulls answered back with a couple of big runs by Benjamin Jones and Mike Jones, who carried it into score from seven yards outs to make the score 36-30.
Bay Area started the final quarter with a five yard touchdown pass to Jackson. The two point conversion failed but the Panthers now led 37-36.
Bay Area stopped a pivotal Sugar Skull possession and get the ball back.
The Panthers began their drive at the Skulls twenty yard line. Rankin ran eight yards for the score that extended the Bay Area lead 44-36.
Tucson went on a long drive that culminated in a three yard touchdown by Atkins. The two point conversion was unsuccessful and the Skulls came up short 44-42.
Coach Dixie Wooten’s team capitalized on the Sugar Skulls errors.
Tucson has now lost four of the last five games after starting the season with a 3-0 start.
Tucson was third place in standings before the game but fell to fourth place after the loss.
The Sugar Skulls put a priority on the run game in a very pass heavy league. Tucson has to up their game and break more big runs.
Atkins finished with two picks and also overthrew many of his receivers. Tucson was forced to play catch-up in the latter part of the game and attempted to comeback via the run.
Tucson’s defense played well for most of the game but gave up two one play drives (rushing and passing).
This team will look to bounce back in Las Vegas against the Knight Hawks.
Article by Matthew Martell Jr.
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