TUCSON - The Tucson Sugar Skulls are fresh off a thrilling home victory over the Sioux Falls Storm last Saturday, securing their first home win of the season to improve to 4-3.

They are set to host the Bay Area Panthers on Saturday in the Boneyard with kickoff at 6:05 pm local time (AZ). 

Matchup History

The Skulls and Panthers have faced each other three times since the Panthers' arrival to the Indoor Football League a season ago. Tucson took both meetings last season, including a 58-33 blowout win in Tucson on June 11th, 2022. 

In April, the Skulls traveled to the Bay Area to secure another win to cap off an impressive 3-0 start on the road. They trailed 16-0 before outscoring the Panthers 34-14 for the remainder of the game to overtake the top team in the West on their home field. In that win, quarterback Ramone Atkins compiled 4 touchdowns with over 160 total yards in San Jose. Star receiver Carrington Thompson hauled in 9 passes for 111 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. 

Wild West

The Sugar Skulls currently sit 3rd in the West at 4-3 and are in the thick of a close race to secure one of the final playoff spots. They trail only the Panthers and Wranglers in the win column by one win and have the same amount of losses as each at 3. A win would automatically place them in 2nd place ahead of the Panthers, and potentially ahead of the Wranglers if they were to lose to Duke City on the road. 

This one has huge playoff-seeding implications out West, as the Skulls look to make their second consecutive playoff appearance.

Key Stats

Carrington Thompson is tied for the most receiving touchdowns this season, with 14. He is tied with Kentrez Bell (San Diego) and this week's opponent JT Stokes (Bay Area).

Tucson and Bay Area are the teams with the highest passing percentage in IFL. The Bay Area is passing at a rate of 64.9 percent slightly leading Tucson 64.6.