Wranglers Pick Off Sugar Skulls To End Skid

Photo: 21 Noah Barrett picked off a pass leading to a touchdown in the first half

The Northern Arizona Wranglers capitalized on some huge mistakes by the Tucson Sugar Skulls in a comeback 51-49 win at the Findlay Toyota Center snapping a 5 game losing streak.

Early in the week, the Wranglers made some changes as they let go head coach Ron James and named Defensive Coordinator Larry Hendrix as interim head coach. They also brought in four players, including linebacker Noah Barrett who made a huge impact in his first game as a Wrangler.

Photo: 21 Noah Barrett brought a lot of pressure on the Tucson QB

Barrett put a lot of pressure on the Sugar Skulls quarterback and had four tackles and set up a Wranglers touchdown with a 24 yard interception return to the Tucson 1 yard. Barrett said, “Great to come here and be able to make some plays to help us get the win.”

The chippyness began early this week as five unsportsmanlike penalties and a Tucson ejection occurred in just the first quarter. The actions of the officials got the players’ attention and it calmed the undisciplined behavior for the most part. 

Northern Arizona opened up with a Manny Higuera deuce but fell behind 9-2 before tying the game up on a TD pass to Stephen Lewis from Anthony Garrett.

Photo:1 Warren Newman on his way to his first of two kickoff returns for a touchdown

Trailing 16-9, Warren Newman brought the fans to their feet as he returned the kickoff 50 yards for a touchdown, the extra point attempt failed and it was 16-15.

Barrett’s interception followed, leading to Northern Arizona going on top 21-16 when on fourth and goal, Anthony Garrett fired a pass into the end zone intended for Ka’Ron Ashley. Ahmad Lyons who was in front batted the ball down but right into the arms of an opportunistic Stephen Lewis for the score. 

After each team missed a field goal attempt, Tucson regained the lead as Ja’Rome Johnson hit Terrell Brown. The Sugar Skulls added to their lead Johnson connected with Justin McGriff to go up 29-21 with a minute to play in the first half.

Another big play for the Wranglers came when Marlon Cook Jr. went high up for the pass falling over the boards. The officials rushed over and determined that he did catch the ball for a touchdown. A two point attempt failed as Northern Arizona trailed 29-27 at the half.

Tucson led 35-34 to start the fourth quarter, the Sugar Skulls scored to go up 42-34, then the energy left the building when on first play from scrimmage Garrett threw a pick-six to give Tucson a 49-34 with 12 minutes remaining.

The Wranglers got a 45 yard field goal from a struggling Manny Higuera to pull within 49-37 with 8:47 to play. The fan favorite did have a better game than last week making one of two field goals and two of three extra points.

Photo: 7 Dayvia Gbor with the first of 3 straight interceptions by the Wranglers in the final minutes

Here is when Tucson quarterback Ja’rome Johnson began to unravel by forcing passes leading to three straight interceptions and ending with five on the day. Dayvia Gbor picked off the first, returning the ball inside the ten yard line and setting up a Garrett pass to Marlon Cook to pull within 49-43. The two point pass failed and it remained a six point game. Then Dywan Griffin snagged number two returning it to midfield. Inside a minute to play the Wranglers regained the lead on a pass to Cook to go up 51-49. Another two point attempt failed leaving the door open for Tucson with 36 seconds to play. 

The Sugar Skulls moved the ball just inside Wranglers territory and still had 12 seconds and a timeout. Needing only a field goal to win, Tucson elected to go for it all and threw a ball into double coverage to the end zone. Brendon Luper, who had been beaten on a few plays, came up with the game saver interception to bring some joy in what has been a tough season. Luper said, “We knew we had to step up and make a play. Despite what happens you have to keep playing.” 

The Wranglers ran out the clock and celebrated as the Sugar Skulls went off the field with their heads down in disappointment knowing that was a game they should have won. On paper you would have thought the Sugar Skulls would have won easily, but turnovers outweighed the yardage. The stats favored Tucson as they out rushed 148-54, out passed 129-93 for a total of 277 yards for the visitors and 147 for the Wranglers. Garrett did not have his best day either completing 40% for 93 yards but did come through with five touchdown passes with a pair of interceptions. Garrett said, “It feels good to get one. It was not pretty but we will take it.”

Northern Arizona improved to (2-11) and will host New Mexico, a team they have lost twice to,  in their home finale on July 12 at 1pm. Tucson fell to (6-7) and will go to Glendale to play Arizona on Saturday at 6pm. 

NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS 51, TUCSON SUGAR SKULLS 49

Score By Quarters-  1         2         3         4       –     T

Tucson                    16       13        6        14      –    49

Northern Arizona     21        6         7        17      –    51

Scoring Summary

NAZ-Higuera Deuce

T-Ayo-Durojaiye 6 yard run (Woodard kick)

T-Woodard Deuce

NAZ-Lewis 11 yard pass from Garrett (Higuera kick)

T-Ayo-Durojaiye 2 yard run (Woodard kick)

NAZ-Newman 50 yard kickoff return (Kick failed)

NAZ-Lewis pass from Garrett (Pass failed)

T-Brown 25 yard pass from Johnson (Woodard kick)

T-McGriff 8 yard pass from Johnson (Woodard kick)

NAZ-Cook Jr. 18 pass from Garrett (Pass failed)

T-Lofton 4 yard pass from Johnson (Kick failed)

NAZ-Newman 50 yard kickoff return (Higuera kick)

T-Ayo-Durojaiye 3 yard run (Woodard kick)

T-Anderson fumble recovery (Woodard kick)

NAZ-Higuera 45 yard Field Goal

NAZ-Cook Jr. 8 yard pass from Garrett (Pass failed)

NAZ-Higuera Deuce

NAZ-Cook Jr. 4 yard pass from Garrett (Pass failed) 

ATT:N/A

IFL STANDINGS

WESTERN CONFERENCE      W-L

San Diego                                 10-2

Vegas                                        10-3

Arizona                                       8-5

Tucson                                       6-7

San Antonio                               4-9

New Mexico                               2-11

WRANGLERS                           2-11

EASTERN CONFERENCE       W-L

Green Bay                                 11-2

Jacksonville                                 9-3

Tulsa                                            8-5

Orlando                                        8-5

Fishers Freight                             7-7

Quad City                                     5-8

Iowa                                             1-12

SCOREBOARD

WRANGLERS 51, Tucson 49

Arizona 60, New Mexico 23

Green Bay 83, Fishers Freight 50

Orlando 45, Quad City 26

San Diego 62, Jacksonville 55

Tulsa 49, Iowa 48

Vegas 43, San Antonio 42