Sugar Skulls complete season sweep over Chupacabras

TUCSON, AZ - One was for some respect and the other was looking to get into the playoffs as the New Mexico Chupacabras and Tucson Sugar Skulls clashed this afternoon at Tucson Convention Center. The Sugar Skulls gradually pulled away, particularly in the second half to earn a 48-22 win and claim sole possession of the fourth spot in the Western Conference standings.

Tucson sits at 4-6 and have overtaken the San Antonio Gunslingers for the fourth position and, if the Sugar Skulls can hold on to that, they would claim the final playoff spot. Despite falling to 1-9, the Chupacabras have shown signs of resilience the past couple of weeks after a pair of disappointing losses in the IFL Cup last month.

The Sugar Skulls completed the season sweep of three games this season. They defeated the Chupacabras 45-40 on April 4 at Albuquerque, and claimed a 33-26 win back home on April 19. They now lead the overall season series 3-0.

Aaron Jackson took the opening squib kickoff 42 yards down the right sideline to the house for the opening score of the game for the Sugar Skulls. The point-after try was botched due to a bobbled snap and quarterback Ja'Rome Johnson was forced to throw the ball out of bounds. After the Chupacabras were forced to try a long field goal from Kevin Macias which went out of bounds, the Sugar Skulls started at their own 20-yard line. Johnson scored for Tucson on a quarterback keeper to the right corner of the end zone. Ben Woodard's extra point try was true and gave the Sugar Skulls a 13-0 lead at the 7:51 point of the first quarter. Donovan Porterie tossed right to Arthur Jackson II, who bullied his way into the right side of the end zone for the Chupacabras' first points of the season. Macias' extra point put gave them a full seven out of the drive. Johnson and the Sugar Skulls started their next drive at the two-yard line, but they were forced to settle for a 25-yard field goal from Woodard. New Mexico was driving at midfield as the opening quarter ended with Tucson on top 16-7.

The Chupacabras drive down to the four-yard line, but Macias' 19-yard field goal try sailed wide right, giving the Sugar Skulls the ball at their own four. Johnson stepped up in the pocket and fired a 35-yard strike to Javian Lofton who made a one-handed catch in coverage for another Sugar Skulls score. Tucson's defense forced a turnover on downs and took over at their own 17-yard line with a 23-7 lead with a minute left in the opening half. Woodard missed a 37-yard field goal as the clock hit zero.

New Mexico got creative on the opening drive of the second half as La'James White took a direct snap and powered his way up the middle for the team's second score of the game, narrowing Tucson's lead to 23-14 after Macias' extra point. Johnson connected with Jaron Waters on a 37-yard bomb to the left side of the end zone. Woodard's point after once again extend the lead back to 16 points. Woodard failed to connect on a deuce attempt which gave the Chupacabras the ball at their own 20. New Mexico failed to take advantage as Porterie, the quarterback, had the ball slip out of his hands and was picked up by Rafiq Abdul-Wahid who returned it 14 yards for a Tucson defensive touchdown. Woodard's deuce attempt was just wide left. Porterie found White across the middle and the latter did the rest with an eight yard touchdown, but Macias failed to nail the extra point. The Chupacabras got a stop when Woodard's 34-yard field goal try curled wide to the left as time expired in the third. Tucson took a 37-20 lead into the fourth quarter with New Mexico set to begin their next drive.

The Chupacabras drove into Sugar Skulls territory, but turned over the ball on downs which gave Tucson the ball at their own 15. Despite being flagged twice on face mask and holding calls, the Sugar Skulls scored on a -yard strike from Johnson to Lofton. Woodard's extra point made it 44-20 Tucson with 5:55 remaining. Porterie took over for the Chupacabras, but his pass to CJ Jefferson was tipped and caught by Aaron Jackson of the Sugar Skulls. D'Wan Jackson took over for Johnson to finish out the game for Tucson. He was called for intentional grounding in the end zone for a safety. However, Woodard got the two points right back with a deuce on the succeeding kickoff. A safety on the final play of the game gave the Sugar Skulls their 26-point win.

Porterie finished 21 of 32 for 145 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. White scored once on the ground and once through the air. CJ Jefferson was a workhorse in this one with nine catches for 65 yards, while Damon Street added five grabs for 46 yards. Cam Bright tallied six total tackles and Wes Bowers added three tackles for loss for the Chupacabras defense.

Johnson completed seven of 11 passes for 167 yards with three touchdowns and no picks. He also rushed for 64 yards off 10 carries with another touchdown. With just three receptions, he made a major impact by turning those into 100 yards and two scoring hauls. Waters' touchdown came on his only catch of the game, for 37 yards. Aaron Jackson led the defense with seven total tackles and an interception to go with his opening kickoff return for the touchdown which set the tone for the majority of the contest.

The Sugar Skulls gained 241 yards of total offense compared to 151 for the Chupacabras. The majority of that came on the ground as they had a 68-yard advantage in the running game. They also had a 22-yard edge in the passing game. Tucson was penalized 11 times and New Mexico was flagged just once.

The Chupacabras will visit the San Antonio Gunslingers on June 13 with kickoff set for 3 p.m. The Sugar Skulls will visit the Vegas Knight Hawks for a 8 p.m. kickoff. Times listed are mountain daylight time.

Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be available on the IFL's broadcast and streaming platforms. Sports Coast to Coast will present previews of those, and all, games this season. Those previews will be posted on the board of the home team in each game on the site.