WEEK 14 GAME PREVIEW: ARIZONA RATTLERS (10-0) AT TUCSON SUGAR SKULLS (6-5)

PHOENIX – The Arizona Rattlers (10-0) will take their 10-game winning streak to the city of Tucson this Saturday to square off against the Tucson Sugar Skulls (6-5). It will be the third of four matchups this season between the two intrastate rivals, with the Rattlers winning the first two games.

This contest will feature the two highest scoring offenses in the Indoor Football League (IFL). Arizona currently leads the league with an average of 65.4 points per game while Tucson is tied for second with 52.5.

The Arizona Rattlers are coming off an 84-63 victory in San Diego against the Strike Force (1-10) last weekend, their third win over them this season. They also piled up 344 yards of total offense, which marked a new season-high.

QB Drew Powell led the offensive onslaught for the Rattlers, completing 12-of-17 passes for 152 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 104 rushing yards on 11 carries while finding the end zone a game-high five times, including a 42-yard touchdown run. RB Jabre Lolley got the start and converted 11 carries into 83 yards and two total touchdowns, giving him 18 touchdowns in only seven games played.

K Jimmy Camacho nailed all 12 of his extra point attempts on Sunday and has now accounted for 94 points which leads all kickers in the IFL.

WR Jamal Miles hauled in two touchdowns, while WR Robert Lewis caught a touchdown pass and also returned a kickoff 50 yards for a touchdown. WR Donta Armstrong also caught his first touchdown pass in a Rattlers uniform in the win.

As for the Sugar Skulls, they are coming off a 52-40 road victory over the Bismarck Bucks to earn their third consecutive win to get back into the thick of the playoff race.

QB Jake Medlock started under center for Tucson and completed 9-of-14 passes for 114 yards and four scores (no interceptions). QB Matt Behrendt also saw some time, completing 3-of-4 passes and two total touchdowns. Tucson currently holds the fourth-best passing offense in the IFL (160.7 YPG). RB Mike Jones started for the Sugar Skulls and ran for a team-high 59 yards and one touchdown.

WR Rico Brown hauled in three passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns while WR Jeremiah Harris caught three receptions for 48 yards and two scores as well. Harris has only been with Tucson for three games, but has already had three touchdowns.

Against San Diego, Arizona was led by the performance of DE Baron Poole who made his Rattlers debut. He finished with one sack, three tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. DB Phillip Henry added 11 total tackles and one interception, and DB Allen Chapman also picked off a pass. Arizona continues to lead the IFL in interceptions (19) and are second in sacks (21).

Meanwhile, Tucson’s defense was anchored by the performance of DB Micah Eugene Jr. who finished with seven tackles (two for loss), one interception, and four pass breakups in the victory over Bismarck. DB Edward Burns added an interception and K Josh Gabe had one forced fumble.

Arizona’s matchup against the Sugar Skulls is slated for a 6:00 p.m. AZT kickoff at Tucson Arena and can be streamed live on YouTube.