TUCSON, Ariz. – The Tucson Sugar Skulls (4-8) fought hard at the Snake Pit against their I-10 rivals, the Arizona Rattlers (10-2), but fell short in the end. The 55-28 loss at the Footprint Center ended Tucson’s two-game winning streak on Sunday.
The Rattlers have now won all three matchups against the Sugar Skulls in the 2021 season (3-0).
Pocket Pressure
Quarterback Cory Murphy started his third game as a Sugar Skull with a touchdown drive to open the game. But the pocket seemed to collapse around him going forward, causing Murphy to toss his first interception of the season in the first quarter. Coach Dixie Wooten was forced to turn to rookie QB Demry Croft to finish the game after Murphy had issues protecting the football.
Croft gave the offense some life as he finished the game with 92 passing yards (1,381) and a TD (24) along with 43 rushing yards (448) and two rushing TDs (10). Late in the fourth quarter, Croft forced the ball into tight windows and was intercepted twice.
Wide receiver Ryan Balentine had some positive flashes throughout the game, finishing with four receptions for 74 yards (523) and a TD (9), while averaging 12.4 yards per catch. Running back Mike Jones also added to his third best IFL scoring total (24 TDs) with his TD on the first Tucson drive of the game.
Final Duel with Duke City
The Sugar Skulls will host their final home game of the 2021 regular season against the Duke City Gladiators on Saturday, August 14 at 6:05 p.m. MST.
Winning the first two meetings against the Gladiators, the Sugar Skulls look to sustain a three-game winning streak at the Boneyard to make a final push for the playoffs. The Gladiators destroyed the Northern Arizona Wranglers in their last matchup with a 71-11 final score Sunday.
The offense of the Sugar Skulls has been effective against the Gladiator defense. Tucson put up its only 50-point performance of the 2021 season against Duke City (55 PTS / May 30). In that game, Croft tossed 6 TDs and won the ‘IFL Offensive Player of the Week’ award for his efforts.
Press Release courtesy of the Tucson Sugar Skulls
