(Tucson, AZ) The Tucson Sugar Skulls’ first meeting with the Arizona Rattlers last month was both an awakening and a measure for the new franchise.
With two wins in their first two games, the Sugar Skulls arrived in Phoenix on March 16 with high hopes and confidence. After a 63-28 loss to the IFL’s perennial power, Head Coach Marcus Coleman said his team left with a sense of what it needs to do to get to where it wants to be.
“The Rattlers are the standard right now. They’re the benchmark,” Coleman said this week. “If you’re trying to get in the playoffs or make any kind of a run, that’s what it looks like.”
The second meeting with the Rattlers at Tucson Arena Sunday has the Sugar Skulls trying to rebound from a tough loss to the Nebraska Danger. The Sugar Skulls committed four turnovers – three of those interceptions after having entered the game with none on the season. Tucson still had a chance to win the game on the last possession. The third of the three picks ended a potential game-winning drive in Danger territory.
Tucson enters the contest as the league leader in total offense with 279 yards per game, just ahead of the Rattlers who are averaging 274.6. But the Rattlers also boast the league’s stingiest defense while the Sugar Skulls rank sixth in the league.
The quarterback duo of Jake Medlock and Matt Behrendt split time again at Nebraska with Behrendt earning the start and Medlock relieving him in the second half. The passing offense ranks third in the league averaging 171 yards per game with 18 touchdowns.
Veteran linebacker Zach Allen continues to lead the defense and is among the league leaders in tackles per game (9.6) and sacks (4).
Notes & Numbers
The Sugar Skulls find themselves ahead in the standings over the other three IFL expansion teams, Quad City, Bismarck and San Diego, and in the playoff hunt in fifth place. Six teams make the postseason.
Even though they were held to a season-low of 72 yards rushing by the Nebraska Danger, the Sugar Skulls are still over the century mark in yards per game at 108, which ranks third in the league. The defense is allowing only 69 yards rushing per game.
Running back Mike Jones has started four of the five games and leads the team with 202 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. He also has two touchdown catches and 95 yards receiving.
Kenny James put his name on the list of players with an interception with a pick against the Danger. Four different players have interceptions and the team has a total of six. Dee Maggitt Jr. and Cam Nelson each have two.
Courtesy of the Tucson Sugar Skulls Media Department
