NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS KNOCK TUCSON SUGAR SKULLS OUT OF PLAYOFFS
On Saturday evening, the Northern Arizona Wranglers won their first playoff game in franchise history, as they defeated the Tucson Sugar Skulls by a score of 49-30.
The game started with Wranglers defensive back Bill Atkins tackling the Sugar Skulls kickoff returner in the end zone for a one-point rouge. The Wranglers took a 1-0 lead over the Sugar Skulls on the game’s opening kickoff, and led Tucson for the remainder of the contest. Northern Arizona quarterback Kaleb Barker capped off their first offensive drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown. The Wranglers were up by a score of 8-0 in a flash. The Sugar Skulls responded with a touchdown, putting six points on the board. The Wranglers offense came back immediately, when Barker threw a pass to wide receiver Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman for an 11-yard touchdown. The first quarter ended with Northern Arizona holding a 15-6 lead over Tucson.
The Wranglers kept their momentum rolling early in the second quarter, with a huge play from the defense. Wranglers defensive back Trae Meadows intercepted a pass at the Wranglers 13-yard line and ran it back 16 yards, before getting pushed against the boards by a Sugar Skulls offensive player. Wranglers wide receiver Imeek Watkins took a handoff, and found his way to the end zone for the nine-yard rushing touchdown. Tucson answered with a field goal, to make the score 22-9. All this action was just the start of what would be an exciting second quarter.
Watkins was able to electrify the crowd at Pinnacle Bank Field at the Findlay Toyota Center, when he took a kickoff from his own end zone, and returned it all the way back for the 56-yard touchdown. Tucson was able to answer, this time with a touchdown of their own. On the Wranglers following possession, newly acquired kicker Craig Peterson nailed a 37-yard field goal. The Wranglers held a 32-15 lead with just 20 seconds remaining in the first half. On the ensuing possession, the Sugar Skulls scored a touchdown in just one play, on a 45-yard bomb thrown by quarterback Daquan Neal. Tucson also kicked a successful deuce on the ensuing kickoff, putting two points on the board. Peterson nailed another field goal for the Wranglers, this time from 42-yards out.
The Wranglers went into halftime with an 11-point lead over the Sugar Skulls, by a score of 35-24.
The Wranglers opened the third quarter on offense, with Barker taking the read option himself for a 14-yard scamper, as he walked into the end zone untouched. The Sugar Skulls could not respond on their next drive, missing a field goal from 33-yards out. The Wranglers offense moved down the field in methodical fashion, as they ended the third quarter with possession of the football on a third-and-goal situation. The third quarter ended with the Wranglers maintaining their commanding lead over the Sugar Skulls, by a score of 42-24.
The Wranglers scored a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter, as Barker connected with Chiaokhiao-Bowman for their second touchdown of the game. The Sugar Skulls bounced back on their next drive, scoring the game’s final touchdown. Tucson recovered their own onside kick, but gave the ball right back to the Wranglers on their first offensive play. Wranglers defensive back Marquise Bridges leaped up, and snagged his first interception of the season. Ultimately, the game ended with the Wranglers reigning victorious, with the 19-point victory.
The Wranglers won their first ever playoff game, in the team’s first appearance as a franchise. With that win, Northern Arizona advances to the Western Conference Championship game. The Wranglers will square up with the winner of the game between the Duke City Gladiators and Arizona Rattlers, which will be played at Footprint Center on Sunday.
Many Wranglers fans, and Indoor Football League fans alike, have been expecting to see the two teams from Arizona go head-to-head for a trip to the IFL National Championship game, however, you can never be too certain. If the Gladiators can pull of the upset, the Wranglers will return home for a second consecutive playoff game on Pinnacle Bank Field at the Findlay Toyota Center. If the Rattlers win the matchup against the Gladiators, the Wranglers will travel down to Phoenix for one final showdown with their in-state foe.