TUCSON, Ariz — Two big second half plays were the difference in the Sugar Skulls 55-41 loss to the Rattlers in front of 4,138 fans at the Tucson Convention Center on Sunday.
In the third quarter, with Tucson trailing 34-28, Chris McAllister blocked a Diego Marquez field goal attempt which was recovered in the endzone for a Rattlers touchdown. Then in the fourth quarter, Arizona's Phillip Henry intercepted a Jake Medlock pass and also returned it for a score.
"It looked similar to the first game, said Sugar Skulls head coach Marcus Coleman. "A blocked field goal. An interception trying to make plays. You just can't make those mental mistakes if we plan on winning. So, obviously, you can see that we have the talent to match up with them if guys do what they are coached up to do. But, we have got to narrow down the mistakes."
Medlock accounted for six touchdowns in the loss, three passing and three rushing. The 14-point victory margin was the unbeaten Rattlers' closest of the season.
"They played us a lot tougher than they did the first time around," said Rattlers coach Kevin Guy, who owns the Sugar Skulls. "We didn't come out with the right mindset."
The Skulls fall to 3-3 on the season and visit Quad City next week.
