Post by DiamondThief on Apr 27, 2019 21:56:17 GMT -8
FINAL - Barnstormers 61, Sugar Skulls 58
4/27/19 --
TUCSON, AZ - Somethings are just sometimes not meant to be.
After leading for for 58-and-a-half minutes, the Tucson Sugar Skulls seemed to be on the verge of picking up their first win over a plus-500 opponent. A blocked field goal return for touchdown and Dalton Neal changed all that in a minute span, and the Iowa Barnstormers rallied for the 61-58 win tonight at the Tucson Convention Center.
The Barnstormers improved to 7-1 and remain a game back in the standings of the Arizona Rattlers, who remained perfect with a 63-50 win tonight over the Sioux Falls Storm. The top two teams atop the IFL standings after week 17 receive byes and will host respective conference championship games. Six of the 10 IFL teams qualify for the playoffs this season.
Leading 51-47 with just over a minute to play, Tucson lined up for a long field goal, but it was blocked by B.J. Butler of the Barnstormers and scooped up by Trevon Williams who returned it down the left sideline for a touchdown. The score gave Iowa it's first lead of the contest. The Sugar Skulls came right back on a 28-yard bomb from Jake Medlock to Shaquon Curenton to retake the lead at 58-54. The Barnstormers' drove down to the five-yard line where Neal rushed around the left side for the game winning touchdown.
On Neal's touchdown, there was an offensive holding foul, but it was not called by the officials. Tucson head coach Marcus Coleman, who spent last year as defensive coordinator of the Barnstormers, met in conference which two of the officials, but he was unsuccessful at pleading his case regarding the non-call. Coleman stated in a post-game interview that the officials told him that reviewing a holding penalty was not within the review guidelines.
Medlock's one-yard run gave the Sugar Skulls a 7-0 lead mid way through the opening quarter. Dalton Hall put the Barnstormers on the board with a 32-yard field goal, but Tucson came right back with Medlock found Curenton for a six-yard score as time expired in the quarter. Tucson led 14-3 at the end of one.
That lead didn't last long, as Iowa scored on an eight-yard strike from Neal to Connor Hollenbeck. The Barnstormers added a rouge point on the ensuing kickoff. Mike Jones' two-yard run put the Sugar Skulls up by 10 at the 6:06 mark of the second quarter. Neal's 29-yard touchdown pass to Jazeric Peterson made the score 21-17 before Jones scored again for Tucson on a four-yard run. The teams traded field goals; a 26-yarder from Dalton Hall for Iowa and a 45-yarder from Josh Gable for Tucson as time expired, and the Sugar Skulls led 31-20 at intermission.
Medlock rushed in from a yard out early in the third quarter to give the Sugar Skulls their largest lead of the game at 37-20 with 9:21 to go. Neal once again found Peterson, this time for 31 yards to draw the Barnstormers to within 10 at 37-27.
The teams combined for 55 points in the fourth quarter. Neal rushed in from nine yards out to pull Iowa to within three, but the Sugar Skulls extended their advantage to 44-34 on Medlock's 27-yard touchdown to Curenton. The Barnstormers narrowed the lead when Neal hit Hollenbeck for a 13-yard score. Mike Jones 28-yard run made the score 51-41 in favor of the Sugar Skulls with 5:53 remaining. Neal's 27-yard touchdown to Ryan Balentine cut the lead to four. Tucson had the ball at their own 19 yard line when Gable's 46-yard field goal was blocked and returned for the Barnstormers' score, setting up the final minute's fireworks.
Tucson had one last chance to tie it, but Gable's 53-yard field goal attempt was short.
Iowa gained 310 yards of total offense to 270 for Tucson. They had a decided edge in the passing game with 265 yards to the Sugar Skulls' 157. Tucson held a 113-43 edge in the ground game. The Barnstormers were penalized 11 times for 81 yards and the Sugar Skulls were flagged three times for 40 yards.
Neal went 19 of 26 for 265 yards with five touchdowns, and rushed nine times for 29 yards and two scores. Peterson finished with seven catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Balentine added six grabs for 80 yards and a touchdown, and Hollenbeck had six receptions for 55 yards and a pair of scores. Tevin Madison led the Barnstormers' defense with nine tackles. Williams added a sack and three tackles for loss to his field goal returned for touchdown.
Medlock had a strond game for the Sugar Skulls, completing 15 of his 19 attempts for 157 yards and three touchdowns. He also found the end zone twice on the ground. Curenton caught seven passes for 110 yards and three scores, while Rico Brown added four receptions for 29 yards. Dominique Harrison's six tackles led the Tucson defense, while Desmond Raiford recorded a sack.
The Barnstormers are at home next week against the Cedar Rapids River Kings. The game is May 4 at 5:05 p.m. Iowa has won both previous match ups between the teams this season. The Sugar Skulls host their fellow expansion San Diego Strike Force on May 4 at 5:05 p.m. Tucson has won both previous meetings over the Strike Force. All times mentioned are pacific standard time.
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be streamed live on the IFL's Official YouTube Channel. SCtoC will present previews of those, and all, games this season. Those previews will be posted on the board of the home team in each game.
- ANM
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