(Tucson, AZ) A perfect opportunity awaited the Sugar Skulls (3-6) at the Boneyard as the New Mexico Chupacabras (1-8) played Tucson for the third time this season. Both previous contest were won by Tucson an accounted for two of their three wins.
Last week, the “new look” Sugar Skulls came out fast and strong in their big win over the Orlando Pirates 55-37.
First Quarter
It didn’t long for the fireworks to start as Aaron Jackson took the opening kickoff 50 yards to the house. Unfortunately, a high snap on the extra point attempt they were not able to get the kick completed. Tucson led 6-0 before the seats in the Boneyard got warm.
A glaring deficiency was Tucson’s kickoff team last week that allowed a runback for a touchdown and three other long returns into the Sugar Skulls red zone and resulted in scores. After Jackson;’s touchdown, the special teams got it right and tackled the Chupacabras’ return player inside the 5 yard line.
The excitement continued to build as the Skulls defense came on the field and stuffed New Mexico forcing a 53 yard field goal attempt which was woefully short.
Now it was the offense’s turn to shine as Ja’Rome Jackson on his second start after being signed a week and a half ago immediately began to move the offense. Johnson faked the handoff and scooted 7 yards to pay dirt and the Sugar Skulls were up 13-0 with over half the quarter left a 7:51.
The Chupacabras not wanting to fall too far behind got a good run back on the ensuing kickoff that set them up in the Tucson red zone The Sugar Skulls defense forced a third down, but Donovan Porterie foun Arther Jackson in at the 1 yard line and fell into the end zone for their score that made it 13-7 with 5:31 left in the opening quarter.
After starting the possession at their own 7 yard line, Johnson found Jackson on a 42 yard completion down to the New Mexico 2 yard line. The Chupacabras defense rose up and forced Ben Woodard to boot a 23 yard field goal that made the score 16-7 with just under two minutes left.
Photo – Ray Tapia
Second Quarter
New Mexico’s offense once again moved the ball albeit using third down to continue their drive going.
With first and goal from the 10 yard line, the Chupacabras only got to the 6 yard line after two plays and once again had a third down situation. An incomplete pass forced a fourth down and a 19 yard field goal sailed wide and a big stop for the Tucson defense. The score remained 16-7.
Johnson again showed his athletic ability after he was forced out of his own end zone and used his legs to gain the first down. Two straight incomplete passes and the Skulls were face with a third and ten. Johnson calmly threw a 43 yard fly pattern to Jaivian Lofton who hauled down a one handed catch for the touchdown and extended their lead to 23-7 at the 6:32 mark.
Tucson’s defense continued to make the Chupacabras offense work for every yard often forcing third down situations. Jackson was instrumental on two plays not to allow the first down and since New Mexico needed a spark went for it on fourth and seventeen. A completed pass underneath fell 6 yards short of the line to gain and a turnover on downs.
The Skulls attempted to steal points to increase the lead knowing that New Mexico by wining the coin toss get the ball back to begin the second half. With three seconds left, Woodard’s kick was low and off to the right, Halftime saw Tucson up 23-7.
Halftime
The fast start was the big key to a successful first half for the Sugar Skulls as the early long bomb for the game’s first score had Tucson geeked up and they never looked back. The defense did their usual job stuffing the Chupacabras’ running game and more times than not they faced third down situations.
Photo – Ray Tapia
Third Quarter
New Mexico’s started most of their drives well back in their own territory and their first possession of the second half saw them begin at their own 5 yard line.
An illegal contact penalty on the Skulls kept the New Mexico drive alive for a new set of downs. A second and third penalties one for targeting and an unsportsmanlike conduct put the ball in the Tucson red zone at the 5 yard line. The next play La’James White powered into score and cut the lead to 23-14 but still a two possession game with 9:37 left in the quarter.
With the Chupacabras using almost half the quarter in their initial scoring drive, Tucson needed an answer, and answer they did as Johnson threw a 37 yard flag route to Jaron Waters to put the lead back to 30-14 at 7:24. One play, one touchdown.
Starting monsoon season entering June, lighting struck a second time after the one previous play drive as Rafiq Abdul-Wahid forced Porterie out of the pocket and stripped the ball away as he waltzed into score from 14 yards out and Tucson was rolling 37-14 and still just under five minuted left in the quarter.
New Mexico showed they could score quickly as well as White caught a 14 yard touchdown pass, but their extra point sailed wide left. Tucson’s lead cut to 37-20.
The kickoff hot the speaker cluster and gave the ball to the Skulls at the New Mexico 15 yard line. For only the second time in the game, the Chupacabras’ defense forced a field goal which missed the mark to end the quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Entering the final quarter, Tucson had a three possession lead 37-20 and in complete control of their destiny.
The Chupacabras knew they needed to score quickly. Penalties on Tucson didn’t help as Jackosn’s pick was nullified by a pass interference call on Abdul-Whahid.
Undeterred, the Sugar Skulls defense forced a fourth down and New Mexico was forced to got for it from the line of scrimmage instead of attempting a field goal. Poerterie’s pass fell incomplete as Tucson again got the ball back on downs.
The Sugar Skulls offense kept shooting themselves in the foot with penalties. Even with the rash of penalties, Johnson on third and ten found Lofton on a crossing pattern for 22 yard touchdown reception and extended their lead 44-20 with 5:55 left in the game.
New Mexico had to score in bunches but that was not to be as Jackson who was no doubt the Player of the Game laid out off a tip from the intended receiver to pick it off and sealed the deal.
With running the clock out the only task that remained, Johnson was hemmed up in the end zone and was flagged for intentional grounding for a safety that cut the lead in to 44-22 but only 2:21 left in the contest.
Tucson as the game went on, everything continued to go their way as the kickoff went right down the middle of the uprights for a deuce to nullify the safety and made it 46-22.
The Chupacabras went down with a whimper as they saw a fourth and 14 from inches outside their own goal line. Tucson did what Tucson did as the final play of the game was a safety against Porterie and a 48-22 final.
Photo – Ray Tapia
Wrap Up
This was a very important win even though it was against a bottom dweller squad twofold. First and foremost, you have to win the games you’re supposed to. Any slip ups at this point of the season can crush your playoff hopes. Secondly, it was basically a “stat game” as Tucson had things well in hand for the majority of the contest. This gave the team collectively a big boost in their confidence and further fortified the chemistry of the recently added players and the veterans that have played all year. Getting a team on the same page for the stretch drive is invaluable. All that happened today.
The Sugar Skulls out gained New Mexico 241-151 in total yards. Because of a quick strike offense displayed by Tucson today they trailed in plays 44-29. The Skulls defense limited New Mexico to 6 yards rushing while gaining 74 yards and more importantly a 4.63 yards per attempt.
The Star of the game was Aaron Jackson. From his opening kickoff return for a touchdown, to laying out for an interception and two big hits preventing Chupacabra first downs on fourth down plays giving his offense the ball back.
One concern, Tucson was whistled for 11 penalties and that will have to be addressed and improved at this point of the season going forward.
The next two weeks will be a great barometer for the remainder of the season as the Sugar Skulls will play first place Las Vegas in Henderson on Saturday, followed up by a home rematch with their rivals from Glendale who currently sit in third place just above Tucson.
Tonight’s attendance was nearly 3,000 for Cowbell Night and Mascot Bones’ Birthday Party.
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