(Tucson, AZ) The Sugar Skulls (2-6) coming off a long road trip and a by week got back to business. With ten new players that were added last week, it was both exciting and hoping the new look Skulls can put together a better second half of the season.
Orlando (5-3) traveled cross country to play in an out of division game.
First Quarter
Orlando won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Ja’Rome Johnson quickly took his troops down the field and on the third play from scrimmage, found the end zone on a keeper up the middle. Tucson was off to a fast start up 7-0 on a drive that took less than three minutes.
Orlando not fazed on the quick start by the Sugar Skulls ran the ensuing kickoff back to the Tucson 4 yard line. A play later, Thomas Owens blasted into score and tie the game 7-7 at the 10:37 mark of the opening quarter.
Johnson got the Skulls back on the board with an 18 yard pass that required great touch and found Terrell Brown in the back of the end zone and Tucson was up 13-7 after missing the extra point,
The strength on the team, the Sugar Skull defense locked down Orlando to force a 28 yard field goal attempt which sailed wide right.
A huge defensive stop for Tucson and kept the momentum but they had to start their next possession at their own 4 yard line. The advantage that the Sugar Skulls got on the missed field goal seemed to evaporate as Johnson threw a pick that was overturned on the challenge as an incomplete pass. Another successful challenge by Coach Kizer. After dodging another bullet, Johnson took two plays to get into the end zone on a 22 yard pass to Brandon Mackey and Tucson led by double digits 20-7 to end the quarter.
Photo – Ray Tapia
Second Quarter
Tucson still had issues on their kickoff team coverage as they didn’t stay in their lanes, that gave the Pirates great field possession again at the Skulls 6 yard line.
Orlando took three plays to score of a fake handoff and 1 yard dump pass to Mike Mason and the Sugar Skulls lead was 20-14 at the 11:37 mark.
One play by big time Johnson hit Jaiwian Loften on a fly pattern to score and pushed the lead back to 27-14.
Tucson did a better job on kick coverage, but the first play from scrimmage saw Orlando get to the Sugar Skulls 8 yard line.
A long break happened when an Orlando offensive lineman Jordan McCray went down with a severe ankle injury. He was on the field for at least ten minutes before being transported to the hospital for evaluation.
When action resumed, Pooka Williams hauled down a Paxton DeLaurent pass to make it a one possession game again 27-20 with 4:48 left in the half.
The Sugar Skulls needed to steal some points having to kick off to start the second half. Johnson found Mackey again for his second touchdown and the lead went back up to 34-21, but they scored quickly and Orlando made them play with a run back for a touchdown. It was the Pirate’s turn to miss an extra point and the score with 1:36 to go was 34-27.
Tucson fumble the kick return at midfield and the Pirates had an opportunity to tie the game and get the ball first in the third quarter. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Orlando push the ball back to the Pirate 12 yard line.
After a good defensive play on an open field tackle, DeLaurent tied it up at 34-34. A long Tucson field goal attempt went left and the game was tied heading into the locker room.
Halftime
The Skulls were the better team in the first half, but their kick coverage team was absolutely horrible as they allowed a touchdown on a return and three other long run backs into the Tucson red zone that aided the Pirates to stay close and ultimately tie the game.
Photo – Ray Tapia
Third Quarter
The second half started with a twist as Tucson’s kickoff hit the crossbar which made it a live ball and the Sugar Skull recovered at the Pirates 2 yard line. A play later, Mackey scored his third touchdown and the Skulls drew first blood going back up 41-34 with 53 seconds gone.
The kickoff was covered much better by the Sugar Skulls special teams. Orlando started on their own 16 yard line .
The Pirates got out of trouble on a pass completion for a first down. One play later, on a second completion took the ball to the Tucson 6 yard line. A penalty and good secondary play forced a 22 yard field goal that cut the lead to 41-37, but the victory was the Skulls defense not allowing a touchdown.
Johnson showed his magic again, after being flushed out of the pocket to the right, threw cross field 27 yards to Lofton. The extra point missed for the second time. Tucson up 47-37 with 5:15 left in the quarter.
The Pirates again took the kickoff past midfield to start their possesion. Brian Murray had his own agenda as he picked off DeLaurent in the end zone as the defense turned away Orlando again.
The Skulls received a gift on a pass interference penalty that got them away from their own goal line. A pass completed to Salpointe Catholic alum Mario Padilla, one of the ten new players picked up on the bye week to end the quarter as his contingent went wild.
Photo – Ray Tapia
Fourth Quarter
Tucson opened up the quarter with Alejandro Mata missing a 26 yard field goal and a non productive possession,
On a pivotal fourth down, Tucson brought the house to harass DeLaurent out of the pocket near his own end zone culminating in an incomplete pass and a turnover on downs. Another stellar defensive effort by the Sugar Skulls.
With the turnover, the Sugar Skulls had a golden opportunity from the Pirate 6 yard line to add to their lead.
The Orlando defense rose up and forced a 21 yard field goal by Mata to extend the lead to 50-37 with 7:32 left in the game.
Things continued to go Tucson’s way as Ahmad Lyons picked off DeLaurent pass and ran it back 42 yards and the Sugar Skulls were knocking at the door with the ball inside the 5 yard line.
Orlando knew they were running out of time had their defense again force a 17 yard field goal to increase the lead 53-37 and only 3:15 left on the clock.
Woodard kicked a deuce but an offsides penalty nullified it.
The defense was on fire as they forced a fourth down, but the quick feet just got enough yardage for a first down. After the play, an unsportsmanlike penalty on DeLaurent took the balll 15 yarfs.
All that was left for Orlando was a distant prayer that went unanswered. Final Score 53-37 as the new look Sugar Skulls played their best game of the season.
Wrap Up
Tucson’s new roster players had a big role in the win. None bigger than Johnson who took, the quarterback position like he’s been here the entire season. No break-in period needed.
The defense more than made up for the special team’s gaffes. Interceptions, turnover on downs and lock down secondary play in the second half fueled the superior effort.
This game had the earmarks of a track meet and a possible blowout, but credit to Orlando’s special teams as they set up the offense in favorable position off kickoff returns.
Next game sees the Chupacabras again for the third time in the Boneyard on Sunday June 7th at 1 p.m.
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