Skulls Hit the Road To Take on Northern Arizona Wranglers
Tucson, AZ – The Tucson Sugar Skulls continue the season on the road, facing off against the Northern Arizona Wranglers. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM MST on Sunday, June 28.
Coming off a rivalry win against the Arizona Rattlers, Tucson is looking to keep building their 4-game winning streak and continue to show upgraded ability on the field. The Wranglers are coming off a series of 5 hard losses and are looking to topple Tucson to add a win to their record.
Additionally, Northern Arizona recently parted ways with head coach Ron James and appointed Larry Hendrix as interim head coach. The matchup against Tucson will be Hendrix’s first game as head coach, and the Wranglers will be hoping to display improvement as they defend their home turf.
Rivalry Redemption
Last Saturday, Tucson hosted in-state rivals the Arizona Rattlers. The game was not only a huge victory for Tucson but also saw a large fan turnout in the Boneyard. Tucson fans got loud to cheer on the Skulls as they fought to overcome Arizona. Additionally, the win against Arizona increased Tucson’s chances of securing a spot in the IFL playoffs. The Sugar Skulls proved their continued commitment to the game and came out on top, 35-28.
The first quarter opened with Tucson in a 14-point deficit, trailing behind the Rattlers 14-0. Tucson did not let up and entered the second quarter renewed. The Skull’s defense successfully prevented Arizona from scoring any points in the second quarter, and Tucson’s offense worked hard to put points on the board. The first half ended with Arizona leading by less than a touchdown, the score 14-10.
The third quarter saw both teams fighting for the lead, with Tucson scoring a touchdown and a field goal. However, Arizona responded with a touchdown of its own and narrowly regained the lead, 21-20. The final quarter saw Tucson retake the lead with a series of unbelievable plays, including a deuce by kicker Ben Woodard and a game-ending interception by defensive back Aaron Jackson. In the end, Tucson defeated the Rattlers, 35-28.
Previous Matchup
This is the first meeting between Tucson and Northern Arizona this season. The two teams last met during the 2025 season, in a matchup that ended with Tucson falling to Northern Arizona, 61-55. This season, Tucson is looking to earn redemption and has proved that it is a force to be reckoned with. Additionally, Tucson has acquired quarterback Ja’Rome Johnson, who has proved to be a crucial addition to the roster.
Riding off the energy of last week’s win, the Sugar Skulls are focused and ready to take on Northern Arizona. The Wranglers may have the home crowd, but the Sugar Skulls are bringing the spirit of the Boneyard to Prescott.
Tune in on Sunday, June 28, at 1:00 PM MST to watch the showdown and support the Sugar Skulls as they continue the season.
Fans can stay updated with schedules, news, and highlights by following the Tucson Sugar Skulls on all social media platforms and visiting tucsonsugarskulls.com.
PLAYERS MENTIONED
#18 Ben Woodard
K, 6’0, 1
DB, 5’10, V
Q, 6’0, V