(Tucson, AZ) The Sugar Skulls were coming in at 8-6 and had clinched a playoff spot with a win over the Duke City Gladiators. They were looking to win the season closer against the Green Bay Blizzard from the IFL’s Eastern Division.
Tucson had been terrible at home this season only winning two games. Most of their success had been on the road only losing one game.
Green Bay started the game of up against their own goal line. The Blizzard started off on the ground but Tucson picked up the run defense quickly forcing Green Bay to throw the ball.
Green Bay quarterback Ja’Rome Johnson ran it seven yards for the game’s first score and a 7-0 lead.
Tucson’s offense started off slow as the Blizzard stopped the early attempts of running back Mike Jones, but Tucson managed to pick up the pace with a clutch pass from Ramone Atkins to Carrington Thomas for a seven yard gain to add momentum to the drive. After that play the Sugar Skulls scored a two yard Atkins rushing touchdown to even up the score 7-7.
Green Bay’s attack continued through the air testing the Skulls’ pass defense.
The first quarter ended still tied at 7-7.
The Blizzard had their drive stopped and on fourth and ten from their own fourteen. The field goal attempt from Paul Ortiz Jr. kick was denied by the Boneyards’ speakers.
The Sugar Skulls got the ball back on their own five yard line keeping it on the ground which loosened up the Green Bay defense which opened up the pass game allowing them to drive downfield.
This next drive was strange as the officiating crew gave Tucson unusually good spots and first downs when the ball had came up about one yard short. Ben Jones legged it in with a three yard rushing touchdown to go up 14-7.
The next Blizzard drive started off with some extracurricular activities that backed them up to the ten yard line. Overcoming the penalty, they scored on a twenty one yard field goal to cut the lead to 14-10.
With under a minute left in the half, Tucson was able to score on a twelve yard pass to Dequan Dudley to extend the lead 21-10.
Green Bay tried to get a last second score but the Skulls intercepted the ball as the first half ended 21-10.
The Blizzard missed deuce attempt to open up the second half. Tucson took advantage of the miscue as Mike Jones lined up in the Wildcat formation and scored on a five yard run to go up 28-10.
Green Bay came back with Ja’Rome Johnson scoring from the eleven yard line cutting the lead 28-17.
With great field position starting at midfield got big gains to go along with a targeting penalty. Mike Jones scored a touchdown and Tucson was ahead 35-17 at the end of the third quarter.
The Blizzard quarterback was constantly being flushed from the pocket as Tucson’s defense was in the backfield.
In spite of the defensive pressure, Green Bay scored on a six yard pass to former Sugar Skull Raheem Harvey keeping the Blizzard within striking distance 35-24.
The Blizzard tried another deuce kick which missed and out the ball at midfield. With great field position again, Ben Jones ran it in to pad the Skulls lead 42-24.
The Blizzard came back with a big kickoff return into Tucson territory. Quick shirt passes moved the ball to the five yards line. After a couple of penalties penalties, Harvey hauled in a fourteen yard pass to score keeping them in the game 42-31.
With time a factor, Green Bay onside kicked but former Arizona Wildcat linebacker Rashie Hodge pounced on the ball and gave the Skulls the ball at the five yard line. The Sugar Skulls attempted a two point conversion after the touchdown but failed 48-31.
The Blizzard returned the ball into Tucson territory again, but a huge mistake caused an apparent interception by Hodge. This would have been his second pick of the game, but the play was overturned due to fan interference.
With new life, Green Bay threw a three yard touchdown to Steven Newbold. They converted a two point play with Johnson throwing to Marquise Irvin and the Blizzard would not go away 48-39.
Tucson was very disciplined with the feisty Green Bay team as they only had one unsportsmanlike penalty to Green Bay’s five.
The Sugar Skulls offense was firing on all cylinders, and the defense helped support them with great pressure up the middle that forced Green Bay out of their comfort zone.
With the win tonight, Tucson secured the third seed in the playoffs and will be facing the
Bay Area Panthers and former coach Dixie Wooten in San Jose. The Skulls beat them earlier in season.
Tucson was 3-5 at home and 6-1 on the road this season. All of the Sugar Skulls playoff games will be at the other team’s venue.
Article by Matthew Martell Jr.
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