Despite a slow start, the Arizona Rattlers (10-5) pulled out a 41-25 win over the Tucson Sugar Skulls (6-8) on Saturday night at Desert Diamond Arena.
With the win, the Rattlers split the season series with their in-state rivals from down south.
It only took the Rattlers four plays to find the end zone after Ron Brown Jr. took the opening kickoff to the opposing 18-yard line. QB Max Meylor ran to his left, taking a big hit into the sideboard, but maintaining possession of the ball for the score.
After Tucson K Ben Woodard missed a 42-yard field goal, Rattlers WR Trey Odoms-Dukes coughed up the football to put the Sugar Skulls in prime position.
They took advantage of the gifted possession. QB Ja'Rome Johnson ran it in from one yard out to tie the game 7-7.
The two teams then traded field goals.
With the game now tied at 10, Meylor took things into his own hands, accumulating 37 rushing yards on the drive to set up a 3-yard touchdown pass to WR Arland Bruce Jr.
“If you can run the ball effectively, passing becomes a lot easier,” Meylor said. “Having Ron (Brown) and Kimo (Clarke), they’re great running backs. But if I can run the ball pretty well, I think it opens up our whole offense.”
While the Rattlers ran the ball well in the first half, so did the Sugar Skulls. Arizona has struggled with run-heavy offenses this season, losing to the Fishers Freight twice and the Sugar Skulls once earlier this season.
The Sugar Skulls ran for 30 yards on their ensuing drive. Of those, 26 came from Johnson, including a 2-yard rush for a touchdown. This was his second rushing touchdown of the game.
Woodard’s extra point was blocked, sending the game to halftime with the Rattlers leading 17-16.
However, Woodard gave Tucson their first lead of the game on the first drive of the second half when he nailed a 47-yard field goal.
It then looked like the Sugar Skulls could pull away after Meylor put the ball on the turf trying to gain extra yardage. However, Johnson made the mistake of throwing across his body.
DB Yahsyn McKee Sr. waited for the ball to get to him before taking it to the crib for a pick-6 to give his team a 24-19 lead.
The Rattlers then put the pedal to the metal. With 12,403 people in attendance making plenty of noise, a delay of game on 4th down forced the Sugar Skulls to try a 58-yard field goal.
“It was really fun,” Meylor said about the largest home crowd this season. “We opened up the upper deck, hell of a crowd.”
DL Josh Ellison blocked the kick, setting Brown Jr. up for an easy 4-yard rushing touchdown.
After Rattlers K Matthew Cook’s deuce, DL John Pius sniffed out the read-option, sacking Johnson in the end zone for a safety. The Rattlers led 34-19 headed into the final frame.
The Rattlers scored late in the 4th quarter to put this one to bed. Meylor found an open Bruce Jr. in the corner of the end zone for an 18-yard passing touchdown, extending the lead to 22.
Meylor finished the game 10 for 13 with 97 passing yards to go along with 28 rushing yards. He scored three total touchdowns, two through the air and one on the ground.
Bruce Jr. hauled in two of those touchdowns to go with his 30 total yards. Despite the fumble, Odoms-Dukes had four receptions for 38 yards.
The Rattlers next play at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 19, in San Antonio against the Gunslingers (4-10). The game will be streamed live on the Yahoo! Sports Network.
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here