Tucson Sugar Skulls Take on San Diego Strike Force in Season Finale
Tucson, AZ – This week, the Sugar Skulls travel to Oceanside, California to face off against the San Diego Strike Force. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM MST on Friday, July 24.
Coming off a home win against the Northern Arizona Wranglers, Tucson is looking to keep the positive momentum going and secure a win against the high-ranked Strike Force. San Diego is entering the matchup with a two-game win streak following a victory against the New Mexico Chupacabras and will be looking to defeat Tucson.
Additionally, Tucson and San Diego are set to face each other in the first round of the IFL playoffs. Friday’s matchup will serve as a preview of what’s to come in August and will allow the Sugar Skulls the chance to familiarize themselves with San Diego’s home turf.
Last Week’s Redemption
On Sunday, July 19, the Skulls hosted in-state rivals, the Arizona Wranglers, at their final regular season home game. Tucson came out on top against the Wranglers, 70-42, led by a strong offensive effort fronted by Ja’Rome Johnson. The Boneyard provided loud fan support as the Sugar Skulls hustled to secure a victory.
The first quarter opened with a deuce from Northern Arizona, but the Skulls refused to let the Wranglers take an early lead. Tucson worked hard to score two touchdowns, and the first quarter ended with the Skulls in the lead, 14-2. In the second quarter, Northern Arizona attempted to make a comeback with an early touchdown. However, Tucson was quick to respond, with Aaron Jackson rushing downfield for a touchdown on a kickoff return. Tucson scored three more touchdowns before the end of the quarter, and kicker Ben Woodard sweetened the deal with a deuce, bringing the score to 43-9, the Skulls in the lead.
The second half turned into a back-and-forth exchange as Northern Arizona attempted to claw into the lead. Though the Wranglers increased their offensive momentum, it ultimately wasn’t enough to overtake Tucson. In the third quarter, Brandon Mackey secured two consecutive touchdowns for the Skulls, bringing the score to 56-22. The final quarter saw Tucson score two more touchdowns, and the game ended with the Sugar Skulls on top, 70-42.
Previous Meeting
This is the third matchup between Tucson and San Diego this season. The two teams last met on the road, where San Diego overtook the Skulls, 48-25. Confident after a home win, Tucson is looking to earn redemption and end the season strong.
Riding off the energy of their final home game, the Sugar Skulls are determined and eager to take on San Diego. The Skulls will carry the energy of the Boneyard to Oceanside, ready to take on a high-ranked opponent.
Tune in on Friday, July 24 at 7:00 PM MST to watch the showdown and support the Sugar Skulls as they conclude the regular 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
Q, 6’0, V
DB, 5’10, V
#18 Ben Woodard
K, 6’0, 1
RB, 5’7, 2