TUCSON - The Tucson Sugar Skulls have officially clinched a playoff spot in the 2022 IFL Playoffs. They defeated the San Diego Strike Force by a score of 53-47 at Pechanga Arena on Saturday evening. 

Tucson joins the Arizona Rattlers and Northern Arizona Wranglers as the three teams locked in for the playoffs on the west side of the bracket. The Duke City Gladiators and Vegas Knight Hawks are in contention for the final spot in the conference. 

Back and forth

It was a back and forth affair as we've seen in all three contests this season between these teams. All three games have been settled by one possession in the final moments. The final score in this one was slightly misleading, as the Strike Force scored their final touchdown as the time expired. 

Tucson took a 46-34 lead with a minute left in regulation, but the Strike Force answered quickly with as score of their own to cut the lead down to 5. The Skulls recovered a desperation onside kick and punched it in again for good measure to seal the deal. 

Skulls Stars

Running back Mike Jones continued his dominant season, rushing for 4 touchdowns. He is the IFL leader in touchdowns on the season with 39 total, and making an obvious case for All-IFL honors. 

Quarterback Daquan Neal got back on track, tossing 4 touchdowns (1 interception) on 13-of-22 pass attempts for 188 yards. Two of those touchdowns were tossed to Jazeric Peterson, who had 5 receptions for 70 yards to go with those two scores. 

Defensive tackle Ronald Collins led the team with 6 tackles and one pass breakup. The Sugar Skulls' improved collective defense had a bump in the road against the Rattlers, but overall did a nice job containing and adding pressure on the Strike Force despite the last-minute points on the board. 

Boneyard Finale 

The Sugar Skulls will host their final home game of the season on Saturday against the Iowa Barnstormers at 6:05 pm. A win against Iowa or a Duke City loss would secure the Skulls with the number three seed in the West. As of now their first round matchup will be in Arizona, either against the Wranglers or Rattlers depending on how the final two weeks of the season play out.

Buy tickets here: Tucson Sugar Skulls vs. Iowa Barnstormers