(Tucson, AZ) The rematch between in-state rivals in the Boneyard. The first contest was ugly loss for Tucson up in Glendale 66-14, but that was with the old Tucson roster. Tonight’s game was expected to be much more competitive.
Playoff implications now made every game a must win situation for the top four teams in each Division. Tucson had the four seed in the West with a (5-6) record, while the Rattlers came in with a two game cushion and the three seed at (7-3) record.
First Quarter
Tucson won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. After shutting down the Rattlers’ offense on the first three downs, Brian Murray was whistled for pass interference and automatic first down for Arizona.
Arland Bruce made a shoestring catch at the Sugar Skulls 4 yard line. A play later, Drew Powell scored off the left side for Arizona for a 7-0 lead at the 9:55 mark.
Tucson’s first time on offense saw a quick first down but then the vaunted Snakes defense forced a fourth down and an interception by Devontae Merriweather that gave the ball back to Arizona with great field position.
It didn’t take Arizona long to capitalize, as Ron Brown Jr. took a swing pass into score from the 4 yard line and the Rattlers were up quickly 14-0 with 2:27 left in the opening quarter.
So Tucson was now down by two touchdowns and need to get the offense going. That drive didn’t last long as Merriweather got his second pick of the quarter and the Snakes’ defense came up big again to end the quarter.
Photo – Ray Tapia
Second Quarter
Arizona’s third offensive possesion saw them start at their own 4 yard line. The Skulls defense locked them down for three plays and on fourth down the completed pass was short of the line to gain. The call was overturned on a challenge by Arizona Coach Kevin Guy and the Rattler offense went back on the field.
With new life, Powell’s fate was short lived as the Skulls defense again forced a fourth for the second consecutive possession, and again came up short to turn the ball back to Tucson.
The Sugar Skulls offense still without much shown, salvaged the possession with a 22 yard field goal to cut the Arzona lead to 14-3.
The Snakes offense which hadn’t moved the ball particularly well, faced another fourth down. Two consecutive false start penalties made the line to gain 11 yard away. Powell dropped back but the Tucson rush sacked him back at the 6 yard line and a first and goal for the Sugar Skulls, their best field possession of the game.
Ja’Rome Johnson pass into the back wall got the Sugar Skulls their first touchdown, but more importantly, converted a strong defensive play into points. Tucson trailed 14-10 at the one minute warning till the half.
On a quirky kickoff, the ball short hopped the wall and the kick coverage was on the spot at the 3 yard line. A play later, a long pass was completed, fumbled and re-recovered by the Rattlers at the Tucson 5 yard line. Coach Guy is a master of stealing points near the end of the first half. This time however, the Sugar Skulls defense held and denied the Rattlers a late score to end the half.
Halftime
Neither team showed much offense with only 24 combined points. Defense on both side was made some great plays.
Photo – Ray Tapia
Third Quarter
The Skulls got first crack at the ball and ran it back to their own 16 yard line. It didnt take long, as Brandon Mackey looked like he was shot out of a gun on a quick hitter and a 34 yard touchdown run to give Tucson its first lead 17-14 before the halftime snacks made it back to the seats.
Momentun carried over on the ensuing kickoff as the special teams tacked the ball at the 2 yard line barely escaping the end zone and a safety. Now it was Powell’s turn to be picked off by Aaron Jackson and Tucson had the ball first and goal at the Rattlers’ 4 yard line.
After three lost yardage plays much to the dismay of Coach Kizer, Ben Woodard booted a 29 yard field goal to make the score 20-14 Sugar Skulls. Arizona got a pyrrhic victory to keep the game at one possession.
For the second consecutive time, Arizona took possession just outside of thier own goal line at the 7 yard line. On fourth down (again), Arlon Bruce bailed out the Snakes with a first down reception to keep the drive alive.
The Tucson defense continued to make the Snakes go deep into the possession as Powell used his legs to get the first down.
The Rattlers faced another fourth down at the 4 yard line, but Bruce scored on a dump off pass and Arizona retook the lead 21-20 to end the quarter.
Fourth Quarter
So the stage was set for a wild final quarter. Tucson changed strategy as they went to the underneath game with short crisp passed that kept the Rattler defense off balance. Mackey grabbed a short pass but his yards after catch was the difference as he broke a tackle and raced into score on the far sidelines as the Sugar Skulls regained the lead 27-21 with 12:04 left to go.
Arizona had been in this situation many times before as the 8 time champions moved the ball confidently down into Sugar Skulls Territory. That’s when the Tucson defense forced another fourth down. This time, Trey Odoms-Duke caught a touchdown pass in spite of being interfered with on the play. The penalty was declined and the Snakes were back in the lead by a point 28-27 with 6:50 left in the game.
Johnson tried the get it back with one play but locked into his receiver too early and it was intercepted by Jermaine Doubs at the 1 yard line and Arzona got the ball back.
A few plays later, Ahmad Lyons returned the favor and picked off Powell and ran it back to set up Tucson with a golden opportunity. Again, Johnson loaded up the gun a shot Mackey thought the hole and into the end zone. The two point conversion was initially good, but offsetting penalties forced a do over and the second attempt failed. Sugar Skulls up 33-28 with 1 minute left.
So if the two point conversion failed, the next best thing is a deuce which Woodard drilled right down the middle and the two points were tacked on to make the score 35-28 with the Rattlers down to under a minute left.
On the first play of the possession, Powell threw a pick along the far wall, but Arzona would challenge the play calling for an illegal defense. The challenge stood and the Rattlers retained possession.
The lights went out on Arizona as Jackson stepped in front of the Arizona receiver to take the ball away and seal the game.
Final Score Tucson 35-28 over rival Arizona.
Photo – Ray Tapia
Wrap Up
This game saw Tucson get stronger as the game went on, a great attribute going into the playoffs. All facets of the game were played well by the offense, defense and special teams. Tonight was a total team effort, an important element heading down the stretch.
The Sugar Skulls now back to .500 at 6-6 and riding a four game win streak with four to go and defeating two of the top three teams ahead of them.
Next Sunday, the Northern Arizona Wranglers will host the Sugar Skulls. That will be a must win as the Wranglers are near the bottom of the division.
Arizona has now dropped the last two games by a total of 8 points. The offense had its chances but didn’t move the ball when needed late in the game. The Snakes will get a reprieve next Saturday when last place New Mexico visits the Snake Pit. After that, they close out the season with three teams in the West looking to solidify a top four playoff seed.
Tonight’s attendance was 4,000 plus. Southern Arizona turned out for Western Night as the fan base continues to grow.
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