(Tucson, AZ) The Sugar Skulls (2-9) hosted the San Diego StrikeForce (7-5) at the Bone Yard. Tucson in much need of a victory sitting in the basement in the IFL’s Western Division.
Although the Skulls have dominated this series, wining seven of ten games, San Diego improved over the past few seasons and are favored in tonight’s game.
The biggest obstacle for the Sugar Skulls has been their slow starts and having to play catch up. The league is geared for high powered offenses and being relegated to chase points puts a lot of pressure on the offense.
Tucson has scored just fifty points in their last three contests. Most teams score that in one game. Coach Back had to reach into his bag of tricks to make his offense more effective.
First Quarter
Skulls got the ball first as San Diego deferred to the second half. Kenyatta Allen got the start for Tucson as the roster has been changed from top to bottom.
The Sugar Skulls got the quick start they needed as they scored on a two yard run by MIke Carrington. New kicker Brad Namdar made the extra point to put Tucson up 7-0 at the 10:10 mark of the opening quarter.
San Diego struck back on a long pass from Nate Davis to Jordan Kress to tie the score at 7-7 and 6:31 left in the opening quarter.
Lighting struck as Carrigan took the ensuing kickoff and went coast to coast for a touchdown and the Sugar Skulls regained the lead 14-7.
Tucson in just the first half of the quarter look like a different team as they had more pep in their step.
Skulls came up big on defense as they stopped the San Diego drive and got the ball back on downs after two incomplete passes by the StrikeForce with 1:06 left in the first quarter.
Second Quarter
Allen mixed the pass and run effectively as Tucson found themselves at the five yard line. From there, Allen used his feet to score and put the Skullsup 21-7 capitalizing on the defensive stop.
The StrikeForce didn’t seem rattled as Davis threaded the needled to Isiah Cox for a touchdown but the extra point try was wide.
Tucson up 21-13 at the 10:10 mark till halftime and got the ball at their own twenty yard line after the San Diego kickoff hit the speakers in the arena.
It was the StrikeForce’s turn to make a defensive stop as they picked off Allen and returned it near midfield.
That’s when the Tucson defense stiffened and took over another possession on downs in the shadow of the their own goal line.
Using the clock and their timeouts, Allen engineered a drive with Devonte Sapp-Jones slicing into the end zone to put Tucson up 28-13 and :28 left on the clock.
San Diego with all their timeouts moved the ball into Sugar Skulls territory on the first play. With only :08 left, Davis threw a quick sideline route that resulted in a touchdown to end the half 28-19 after a San Diego two point drop kick attempt missed.
Halftime
Tucson’s improved defense kept the StrikeForce off balance on and third down going 0-3 forcing three fourth downs and two defensive takeaways on downs.
San Diego had more total yards 122-106 but the Skulls ground game netted 70 yards on 15 carries. Another telling stat was Tucson was 3-3 in the red zone with San Diego only 1-2.
Third Quarter
Tucson hasn’t been able to hold a halftime lead well this season. San Diego by winning the coin toss, got first crack to start the third quarter.
Things didn’t go well for the StrikeForce as they were intercepted in the red zone and another turnover.
Tucson returned the favor and gave the ball to the StrikeForce on downs. Then possibly the defensive play of the year when the Skulls’ A.J. Beach covering a fly pattern had the ball bounce off the receiver and into his hands for their third interception of the game.
It got better, the Sugar Skulls went for broke and scored on a the first play from scrimmage after the pick to extend their lead 34-21. The point after attempt was blocked and retuned for a two point conversion by San Diego.
Fast and furious play dictated the next two and a half minutes as San Diego showcased their long pass capability and threw a 47 yard pass for a touchdown and with the extra point, the StrikeForce was within a touchdown 34-27 after their two point drop kick failed again.
After the dust settled, Tucson got the ball back at midfield and in need of a score to put the game back to a two possession affair.
Tucson reverted back to their old self and threw a pick at the goal line to give the StrikeForce the ball back at the one yard line. Still there was 3:58 left in the third quaerter.
San Diego moved out of their own one yard line on a check off pass, but the Skulls defense again came up with a big play stoppping the run for no gain.
The StrikeForce regrouped and converted the next play for a first down just over midfield.
Fourth Quarter
After a crazy third quarter, the final stanza awaited both teams to see if Tucson could hold onto their one possession lead or could the StrikeForce steal the game.
On yet another fourth down play for San Diego, the Skulls defense made a bone jarring hit on a near pass completion that popped the ball out. The officials called the pass incomplete, but the crowd saw it as a fumble.
Tucson needed to put something together on this drive give themselves some breathing room. Allen seemed to be back on his game as he had the offense inside the San Diego five yard line. After a defensive offsides. Sapp-Lynch jackknifed into score. With the Tucson kicker injured, the try for two fell short. Sugar Skulls got their points on their possession, but still only led 40-27 in a high powered offensive game and 8:04 still left on the clock.
Tucson again with a lack of discipline as they’ve had all season, was whistled for an unsportsmanlike penalty that was tacked onto the end of the StrikeForce kickoff retuned. With a short field and they immediately took advantaged with a touchdown strike to inch closer 40-34 and 6:10 left.
Tucson went into hiding on their possession and lost the ball on downs. San Diego took full advantage and scored the go ahead touchdown to take a one point lead 41-40 with just 1:33 left in the game. The Skulls only had one timeout and the one minute warning to pull the game out.
Tucson once again, went into the tank and Allen threw into double coverage and was picked off to seal the win for the StrikeForce 41-40.
The inability for Tucson to close out a win has been as issue all season. They’ve given sure victories away four times after leading going into the final quarter.
Tucson has started four different quarterbacks this year and no constant kickers to add to the offense.
One glaring problem is the players can’t seem to control themselves and are whistled time and time in almost every game for unsportsmanlike penalties at critical moments of the contest. This lack of self control falls directly on the coaching staff and their mental preparation.
With four games left, the Sugar Skulls may only be favored next week against cellar dwelling Duke City, whose record is 1-10. Ironically, the Gladiators lone win was against Tucson on June 1st.
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