TUCSON - The Tucson Sugar Skulls closed out their 2023 regular season schedule by doing something they've struggled to do so far this season; take care of business in front of their home crowd. Coming into the game only 2-5 in front of their home fans at Tucson Arena, the Sugar Skulls won their second game in a row by eliminating major mistakes and leading for almost the entire game. 

After giving up a touchdown on their opening defensive series, Tucson settled down and methodically worked their way into the lead, never trailing thereafter -- even pulling ahead by 18 points on three separate occasions. The Sugar Skulls' defense let up just enough to make it interesting in the fourth quarter, however, the outcome of the game was already decided. 

With the victory, Tucson puts an exclamation point on their home schedule, securing the third seed in the Western Conference, riding a refreshing wave of consistency into the IFL postseason.

Key Performers 

Mike Jones - 12 rushes, 47 yards, 3 rushing TD, 1 reception, 9 yards
Ramone Atkins - 7/10, 54 passing yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 1 rushing TD
Benjamin Jones - 8 rushes, 35 yards, 2 rushing TD, 1 reception, 3 yards
Dequan Dudley - 2 receptions, 22 yards, 1 touchdown
Rashie Hodge - 4 total tackles (2 solo), 1 interception, 21 yards
Trae'varis Ferrell - 8 total tackles (5 solo) 
Jakoby Pappillion - 6 total tackles (5 solo), 1 break-up
Dylan Cozens - 5 total tackles (3 solo), 1.5 tackles-for-loss, .5 sacks
 
1st Half

Tucson surrendered a touchdown on their first defensive series, when Green Bay quarterback Ja'rome Johnson ran it in from 7 yards out. On the ensuing drive, the Sugar Skulls settled in, and Tucson signal-caller Ramone Atkins led them 30 yards in 8 plays, ultimately finding the end zone himself on a 2 yard scamper.   

The Tucson defense stiffened on the next Green Bay drive, and earned themselves a stop when Blizzard kicker Paul Ortiz came up short on a 50-yard field goal attempt.

Focused on protecting the ball, the Sugar Skulls embarked on a 9-play, 45-yard drive on their following series. Tucson milked their two-headed rushing attack of Mike Jones and Benjamin Jones on this drive, with the latter plunging into the end zone from one yard out to culminate the attack. The Sugar Skulls had their first lead of the game, and would not trail again the entire game.

Green Bay received the kickoff and proceeded to march down the field on a long drive of their own. But after a 10-play series, the Sugar Skulls defense forced the Blizzard to settle for a field goal, and this time Ortiz converted from 23 yards out to close the gap to 14-10.

Sugar Skulls wide receiver Dequan Dudley returned the following kickoff 12 yards to the Green Bay 20 yard line, and three plays later he caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Atkins to give Tucson a comfortable 21-10 lead with just 12 seconds to play in the first half.

Tucson defensive back Rashie Hodge Jr. continued his run of on-the-ball playmaking moments later by extinguishing Green Bay's attempt to score before the half, as he intercepted Green Bay's Max Meylor on the final play of the first half.

2nd Half

The Sugar Skulls opened the second half with possession, and they pounded the ball down Green Bay's throat on a 9-play, 25-yard drive that saw Mike Jones score a 5-yard touchdown to give Tucson an 18-point advantage, 28-10. 

Green Bay scored on a second Ja'rome Johnson touchdown run on their next possession, but the Sugar Skulls equaled that score when Mike Jones again found the end zone from a yard out on Tucson's next drive. 

Entering the fourth quarter, the Tucson defense started to wilt slightly. Former Sugar Skull wide receiver Raheem Harvey caught a 6-yard touchdown from Johnson on the next Green Bay drive. But an out-of-bounds kick by Ortiz on the following kickoff set Tucson up with great field position, and Benjamin Jones scored his second touchdown of the day from 10 yards out just three plays later.

Leading 42-24, the Sugar Skulls' pass defense continued to suffer as linebacker Trae'varis Ferrell was forced into the secondary due to injury. Ja'rome Johnson led Green Bay on another quick scoring drive, with pass plays of 19 yards to Mike Green Jr, and 13 yards on a second touchdown pass to Raheem Harvey. The Sugar Skull lead was cut to 42-31 with 3:30 to play. 

However, Tucson recovered the Blizzard onside kick attempt moments later, and the offense turned to their franchise's greatest player once again, as Mike Jones scored his third touchdown of the game on a 3-yard run. Despite a little failed trickery on the two-point conversion attempt, the Sugar Skulls led 48-31 with just 1:20 to go. 

The following Green Bay drive was eventful, as it saw a non-contact penalty by Tucson, one more touchdown pass from Ja'rome Johnson and another former Sugar Skull wide receiver, Marquise Irvin, finding the end zone for Green Bay on a two-point conversion attempt. But it was too little, too late for the Blizzard, as Tucson sat on the ball and came away with a 48-39 victory to conclude their 2023 regular season.

Up Next?

Next week the Sugar Skulls travel to San Jose, California to take on the 2nd seeded Bay Area Panthers for the third time this season. Tucson came into the season having beaten the Panthers twice in Bay Area's inaugural season of 2022 -- a season during which the Panthers lost 15 straight games to finish the year. The two teams split their 2023 matchups, with each team winning on the road, as Tucson won a thrilling Week 5 contest 34-30, and Bay Area came away with a 44-42 win in a Week 11 nailbiter back on May 27th.

The game will be the 3rd playoff game in Sugar Skulls franchise history, as they have now made the playoffs in 3 of their first 4 seasons in the league. Tucson will be searching for their first-ever postseason victory next week. 

Sporting a 6-1 road record this season, the Sugar Skulls aim to continue their consistent, turnover-free play in San Jose, and earn a trip to the Western Conference Championship Game. It is still possible for Tucson to host that game, but they would need a victory vs. the Panthers and a Northern Arizona Wranglers victory over the Arizona Rattlers next week.

Bay Area boasts one of the best offenses in the league, orchestrated by previous Sugar Skulls head coach Dixie Wooten, and led by quarterback Dalton Sneed and running back Justin Rankin. The Tucson defense, however, has improved this season under Hurtis Chinn and defensive coordinator Xzavie Jackson, a recent inductee of the Indoor Football League Hall of Fame.

The game will take place at the SAP Center in San Jose on Sunday, July 23rd at 3:05pm local time.