Post by Monika on Apr 27, 2024 20:13:13 GMT -8
Wranglers 34, Sugar Skulls 31
4/27/24 --
TUCSON, AZ - The Northern Arizona Wranglers defense is not to be trifled with.
That defense held the Tucson Sugar Skulls scoreless for the first 22 minutes and continued the pressure up until the final buzzer in a 34-31 over the host Sugar Skulls tonight at Tucson Events Center.
The Wranglers improve to 4-1 in the Western Conference with the win; their second over the Sugar Skulls this season. Northern Arizona toppled Tucson on March 30 at home, 54-48. The teams play a third time this season; on may 25 back at Prescott Valley.
The Wranglers now lead the overall series between the teams, 7-4, including marks of 4-2 at home and 3-2 on the road.
Recently signed veteran Tasleem "Taz" Wilson started in place of the injured Mylik Mitchell and the ineffective Torrance Gibson. He drove the Sugar Skulls down to midfield where Demitri Fotinos' 43-yard field goal try was blocked and went out of bounds. Josh Jones hit an open Kobay White in the middle of the end zone to give Northern Arizona an early 7-0 lead. That would be the score at the end of the first with the Sugar Skulls driving in Wranglers' territory.
On third-and-seven, Wilson's throw to the end zone was tipped and intercepted by Tavion Banks. Banks fumbled on the return and recovered by Dallas Raines of the Sugar Skulls. Tucson was unable to capitalize and turned it over on downs early in the second quarter. Northern Arizona struck immediately with a 40-yard catch-and-run bomb from Jones to John Maldonado and the Wranglers were up 13-0. Tucson reached the scoreboard on Mike Jones' one-yard run around the left guard. The Sugar Skulls' defense forced a Wranglers' turnover on downs to take over deep in Tucson territory. Jones bootlegged around the left side and scampered down the sideline and into the end zone for 13 yards with 37 seconds remaining. With the Sugar Skulls driving, Wilson's pass was intercepted by Kevin Hyde and returned to the Tucson 13. Axel Perez's 18-yard field goal added to the Wranglers lead as time expired. The Wranglers led 23-7 at intermission.
Northern Arizona drove into Tucson territory, but turned the ball over on downs on the first drive of the second half. The Sugar Skulls took over at their own four-yard line. They responded with a 13-yard end-around from Mike Carrigan midway through the third. The Wranglers drove down to the Sugar Skulls four-yard line as the third quarter ended with them holding a 23-13 lead.
Jones found Tosin Oyekanmi around the right side for the four-yard score. Jones pass to Gurvan Hall Jr. was good for the two-point conversion. Jaylin Marshall helped the Sugar Skulls narrow the gap with a 14-yard run from Jalin Marshall. The two-point conversion run from Mike Jones was short and the Wranglers led 31-19 with 11:50 left to go. Perez extended the lead three minutes later with a 23-yard field goal. Wilson found Demario McCall down the left sideline for a 30-yard catch-and-run touchdown, but the two-point conversion went nowhere and Tucson was still down by nine.
After the Wranglers turned over the ball on downs again, the Sugar Skulls took over at their own four-yard line with 2:31 remaining. Wilson lobbed the ball to the back of the end zone, and Marshall came down with the one-handed leaping grab. The two-point conversion failed again and the Wranglers lead was cut to 34-31 with 43 seconds left. The Wranglers recovered the onside kick try and were able to run out the clock to preserve the win.
Josh Jones completed 16 of 25 for 190 yards with three touchdowns and no picks. He also rushed 10 times for 76 yards and another score. White hauled in four passes for 79 yards and a touchdown, while Maldonado caught three passes for 65 yards and a score. Malik Sonnier's 5.5 tackles led the Wranglers defense.
Wilson went 15 of 31 for 165 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 30 yards off six carries. McCall had three receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown and Carrigan added four grabs for 49 yards. Derrion Rakestraw had six tackles to pace the Tucson defense, while D'Jimon Brooks added a sack and three tackles.
The Sugar Skulls gained just two yards more than the Wranglers, 264 to 262. They had a slight edge in the running game and the Wranglers had a slight advantage in the passing game. Tucson was penalized 11 times, including nine in the first half, while Northern Arizona was flagged seven times for 63.
The Wranglers will visit the San Diego Strike Force on May 5 with kickoff set for 3:05 p.m. After a bye next week, the Sugar Skulls will host the Arizona Rattlers on May 11 for a 6:05 p.m. kickoff. Times listed are pacific daylight time.
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be streamed live on the IFL YouTube Channel and Caffeine TV IFL. 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. Click for our complete IFL 2024 Schedule.
4/27/24 --
TUCSON, AZ - The Northern Arizona Wranglers defense is not to be trifled with.
That defense held the Tucson Sugar Skulls scoreless for the first 22 minutes and continued the pressure up until the final buzzer in a 34-31 over the host Sugar Skulls tonight at Tucson Events Center.
The Wranglers improve to 4-1 in the Western Conference with the win; their second over the Sugar Skulls this season. Northern Arizona toppled Tucson on March 30 at home, 54-48. The teams play a third time this season; on may 25 back at Prescott Valley.
The Wranglers now lead the overall series between the teams, 7-4, including marks of 4-2 at home and 3-2 on the road.
Recently signed veteran Tasleem "Taz" Wilson started in place of the injured Mylik Mitchell and the ineffective Torrance Gibson. He drove the Sugar Skulls down to midfield where Demitri Fotinos' 43-yard field goal try was blocked and went out of bounds. Josh Jones hit an open Kobay White in the middle of the end zone to give Northern Arizona an early 7-0 lead. That would be the score at the end of the first with the Sugar Skulls driving in Wranglers' territory.
On third-and-seven, Wilson's throw to the end zone was tipped and intercepted by Tavion Banks. Banks fumbled on the return and recovered by Dallas Raines of the Sugar Skulls. Tucson was unable to capitalize and turned it over on downs early in the second quarter. Northern Arizona struck immediately with a 40-yard catch-and-run bomb from Jones to John Maldonado and the Wranglers were up 13-0. Tucson reached the scoreboard on Mike Jones' one-yard run around the left guard. The Sugar Skulls' defense forced a Wranglers' turnover on downs to take over deep in Tucson territory. Jones bootlegged around the left side and scampered down the sideline and into the end zone for 13 yards with 37 seconds remaining. With the Sugar Skulls driving, Wilson's pass was intercepted by Kevin Hyde and returned to the Tucson 13. Axel Perez's 18-yard field goal added to the Wranglers lead as time expired. The Wranglers led 23-7 at intermission.
Northern Arizona drove into Tucson territory, but turned the ball over on downs on the first drive of the second half. The Sugar Skulls took over at their own four-yard line. They responded with a 13-yard end-around from Mike Carrigan midway through the third. The Wranglers drove down to the Sugar Skulls four-yard line as the third quarter ended with them holding a 23-13 lead.
Jones found Tosin Oyekanmi around the right side for the four-yard score. Jones pass to Gurvan Hall Jr. was good for the two-point conversion. Jaylin Marshall helped the Sugar Skulls narrow the gap with a 14-yard run from Jalin Marshall. The two-point conversion run from Mike Jones was short and the Wranglers led 31-19 with 11:50 left to go. Perez extended the lead three minutes later with a 23-yard field goal. Wilson found Demario McCall down the left sideline for a 30-yard catch-and-run touchdown, but the two-point conversion went nowhere and Tucson was still down by nine.
After the Wranglers turned over the ball on downs again, the Sugar Skulls took over at their own four-yard line with 2:31 remaining. Wilson lobbed the ball to the back of the end zone, and Marshall came down with the one-handed leaping grab. The two-point conversion failed again and the Wranglers lead was cut to 34-31 with 43 seconds left. The Wranglers recovered the onside kick try and were able to run out the clock to preserve the win.
Josh Jones completed 16 of 25 for 190 yards with three touchdowns and no picks. He also rushed 10 times for 76 yards and another score. White hauled in four passes for 79 yards and a touchdown, while Maldonado caught three passes for 65 yards and a score. Malik Sonnier's 5.5 tackles led the Wranglers defense.
Wilson went 15 of 31 for 165 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 30 yards off six carries. McCall had three receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown and Carrigan added four grabs for 49 yards. Derrion Rakestraw had six tackles to pace the Tucson defense, while D'Jimon Brooks added a sack and three tackles.
The Sugar Skulls gained just two yards more than the Wranglers, 264 to 262. They had a slight edge in the running game and the Wranglers had a slight advantage in the passing game. Tucson was penalized 11 times, including nine in the first half, while Northern Arizona was flagged seven times for 63.
The Wranglers will visit the San Diego Strike Force on May 5 with kickoff set for 3:05 p.m. After a bye next week, the Sugar Skulls will host the Arizona Rattlers on May 11 for a 6:05 p.m. kickoff. Times listed are pacific daylight time.
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be streamed live on the IFL YouTube Channel and Caffeine TV IFL. 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. Click for our complete IFL 2024 Schedule.
-MMM
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