Post by alecs on May 11, 2024 20:17:49 GMT -8
Rattlers 38, Sugar Skulls 32
5/11/24 --
TUCSON, AZ - The Arizona Rattlers and Tucson Sugar Skulls battled each other in a Sun Devil State rivalry game on Saturday night at Tucson Convention Center. In a surprising duel of defenses, it would be the visiting Rattlers who emerged with the victory, closing out the Sugar Skulls 38-32 to earn their third consecutive win.
The opening possession went to Tucson, and after their first drive stalled, they would take the first lead of the game on a 34-yard field goal by Dean Fotinos. Arizona quickly countered on its first attempt with the ball, handing the ball to Jamal Miles, who too a jet sweep to the right side for a six-yard scamper. The Rattlers defense doubled down by forcing a Tucson four-and-out, resulting in a lengthy field goal miss by Fotinos. Arizona took over and used the rest of the quarter to drive up the field, looking to add to their four-point lead upon the start of quarter number two.
Tucson's defense ultimately won that battle, as a fourth and goal stop put a scoreless end to a nine-play, 42-yard drive by the Rattlers. The Skulls would ride a 12-yard run by Mylik Mitchell to earn its first lead of the game. Arizona hopped back out in front with a six-yard touchdown run by Shannon Brooks. Following a second four-and-out from Tucson's offense, Arizona added to its advantage with a 20-yard field goal by Dawson Evitts with 45 seconds remaining in the first half. Tucson made good of the time remaining with its last possession, with Fotinos knocking through a 38 yard field goal as time expired, setting the game's score to 17-12 Arizona midway through.
The Rattlers made an immediate impact to begin the second half, with Garrett Kettle finding Glen Gibbons on a wide-open 33-yard touchdown pass. The Sugar Skulls got to the Rattler one-yard line on its next drive, but a Mitchell fumble right before the goal line was pounced on by Theo Majette of the Rattlers. Arizona, however, could not convert that takeaway into points, turning the ball over on downs at their own 21-yard line. Tucson would strike three plays later, on a 21-yard pass from Mitchell to Brian Smith. After the teams traded lost fumbles (Brooks for Arizona, and Mitchell for Tucson), the third quarter closed with Arizona ahead 24-18.
Arizona added to its lead with a five-yard run from Brooks early in the fourth quarter. The Skulls put together a much-needed response score, with Mitchell connecting with Jalin Marshall on a three-yard touchdown pass. The Rattlers took six minutes off the clock with their next drive, one that ended with an interesting play. A four-yard touchdown pass from Kettle to Miles was challenged twice by Tucson, but neither plea for the catch nor a potential false start was substantiated, costing the Sugar Skulls two timeouts. With time running low on Tucson, they again got back to one possession after Mitchell found Smith for a 27-yard touchdown pass to bring the game back within six points. An onside kick attempt was recovered by the Rattlers, who proceeded to dwindle down the rest of the clock to secure their victory.
Garrett Kettle started for Dalton Sneed, who was a late scratch due to an injury sustained earlier in the week. Kettle completed 11 of 20 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, with five carries for 23 yards as well. Shannon Brooks rushed 14 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns, adding two catches for 22 yards. Glen Gibbons caught five passes for 60 yards and a touchdown, while Jamal Miles had a rushing and receiving touchdown to his credit. Connor Taylor led Arizona with eight tackles, Kevin Simes, Jr. and Jamiyus Pittman logged one sack each, and Theo Majette came up with a fumble recovery in Arizona's win.
Mylik Mitchell made his return to Tucson's lineup after missing two games with injury, and put in a passing stat line of eight completions on 14 passes, 95 yards, and three touchdowns. As a rusher, he carried the rock eight times for 30 yards and one touchdown. Jalin Marshall turned four total touches into 39 yards and a touchdown. Brian Smith caught three passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns. In addition to leading the Sugar Skulls with 6.5 total tackles, Derrion Rakestraw had the defense's lone takeaway with a fumble recovery.
Arizona maintained a decisive offensive advantage, outgaining Tucson 245 to 169 on the evening. The Rattlers were a plus-one in turnover margin, with two fumble recoveries compared to Tucson's one. Penalties were called relatively evenly, with Arizona's six infractions costing them 55 yards, and Tucson's five calls turning into 45 yards against.
In the all-time series, the Rattlers take a 9-2 advantage, with this win being their fourth at Tucson. A return match is set for late in the season on Sunday July 7th at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
The Sugar Skulls (1-5) will host the undefeated 7-0 Vegas Knight Hawks on Saturday May 18th with kickoff set for 6:05 p.m. The Rattlers (4-3) will host the Bay Area Panthers (6-1) on Saturday May 18th 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.
5/11/24 --
TUCSON, AZ - The Arizona Rattlers and Tucson Sugar Skulls battled each other in a Sun Devil State rivalry game on Saturday night at Tucson Convention Center. In a surprising duel of defenses, it would be the visiting Rattlers who emerged with the victory, closing out the Sugar Skulls 38-32 to earn their third consecutive win.
The opening possession went to Tucson, and after their first drive stalled, they would take the first lead of the game on a 34-yard field goal by Dean Fotinos. Arizona quickly countered on its first attempt with the ball, handing the ball to Jamal Miles, who too a jet sweep to the right side for a six-yard scamper. The Rattlers defense doubled down by forcing a Tucson four-and-out, resulting in a lengthy field goal miss by Fotinos. Arizona took over and used the rest of the quarter to drive up the field, looking to add to their four-point lead upon the start of quarter number two.
Tucson's defense ultimately won that battle, as a fourth and goal stop put a scoreless end to a nine-play, 42-yard drive by the Rattlers. The Skulls would ride a 12-yard run by Mylik Mitchell to earn its first lead of the game. Arizona hopped back out in front with a six-yard touchdown run by Shannon Brooks. Following a second four-and-out from Tucson's offense, Arizona added to its advantage with a 20-yard field goal by Dawson Evitts with 45 seconds remaining in the first half. Tucson made good of the time remaining with its last possession, with Fotinos knocking through a 38 yard field goal as time expired, setting the game's score to 17-12 Arizona midway through.
The Rattlers made an immediate impact to begin the second half, with Garrett Kettle finding Glen Gibbons on a wide-open 33-yard touchdown pass. The Sugar Skulls got to the Rattler one-yard line on its next drive, but a Mitchell fumble right before the goal line was pounced on by Theo Majette of the Rattlers. Arizona, however, could not convert that takeaway into points, turning the ball over on downs at their own 21-yard line. Tucson would strike three plays later, on a 21-yard pass from Mitchell to Brian Smith. After the teams traded lost fumbles (Brooks for Arizona, and Mitchell for Tucson), the third quarter closed with Arizona ahead 24-18.
Arizona added to its lead with a five-yard run from Brooks early in the fourth quarter. The Skulls put together a much-needed response score, with Mitchell connecting with Jalin Marshall on a three-yard touchdown pass. The Rattlers took six minutes off the clock with their next drive, one that ended with an interesting play. A four-yard touchdown pass from Kettle to Miles was challenged twice by Tucson, but neither plea for the catch nor a potential false start was substantiated, costing the Sugar Skulls two timeouts. With time running low on Tucson, they again got back to one possession after Mitchell found Smith for a 27-yard touchdown pass to bring the game back within six points. An onside kick attempt was recovered by the Rattlers, who proceeded to dwindle down the rest of the clock to secure their victory.
Garrett Kettle started for Dalton Sneed, who was a late scratch due to an injury sustained earlier in the week. Kettle completed 11 of 20 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, with five carries for 23 yards as well. Shannon Brooks rushed 14 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns, adding two catches for 22 yards. Glen Gibbons caught five passes for 60 yards and a touchdown, while Jamal Miles had a rushing and receiving touchdown to his credit. Connor Taylor led Arizona with eight tackles, Kevin Simes, Jr. and Jamiyus Pittman logged one sack each, and Theo Majette came up with a fumble recovery in Arizona's win.
Mylik Mitchell made his return to Tucson's lineup after missing two games with injury, and put in a passing stat line of eight completions on 14 passes, 95 yards, and three touchdowns. As a rusher, he carried the rock eight times for 30 yards and one touchdown. Jalin Marshall turned four total touches into 39 yards and a touchdown. Brian Smith caught three passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns. In addition to leading the Sugar Skulls with 6.5 total tackles, Derrion Rakestraw had the defense's lone takeaway with a fumble recovery.
Arizona maintained a decisive offensive advantage, outgaining Tucson 245 to 169 on the evening. The Rattlers were a plus-one in turnover margin, with two fumble recoveries compared to Tucson's one. Penalties were called relatively evenly, with Arizona's six infractions costing them 55 yards, and Tucson's five calls turning into 45 yards against.
In the all-time series, the Rattlers take a 9-2 advantage, with this win being their fourth at Tucson. A return match is set for late in the season on Sunday July 7th at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
The Sugar Skulls (1-5) will host the undefeated 7-0 Vegas Knight Hawks on Saturday May 18th with kickoff set for 6:05 p.m. The Rattlers (4-3) will host the Bay Area Panthers (6-1) on Saturday May 18th 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.
-AS
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