Glendale, AZ - A wild matchup in Tucson ended in heartbreak for the Arizona Rattlers, as the Tucson Sugar Skulls pulled off a last-second rally to walk away with a 42-35 win in one of the craziest endings this season.
Fast Start, Fierce Fight
Arizona came out swinging. Quarterback Dalton Sneed connected with Isaiah Huston for a 27-yard touchdown on the opening drive. The defense then delivered a quick stop, and Shannon Brooks capped a short drive with a bruising 2-yard run into the end zone. Just like that, the Rattlers were up 14-0.
Tucson answered with a pair of scores - including a 30-yard touchdown - but Arizona kept the pressure on. Sneed found Trey Dixon in the end zone for a 1-yard score late in the second quarter, and Tucson's 45-yard field goal at the horn sent the teams into halftime with Arizona leading 21-13.
Sneed Slings It
Sneed himself had a night, completing nine of 22 pass attempts, racking up 148 yards and 4 touchdowns. His connection with Isaiah Huston was electric - Huston hauled in four passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns, including a 32-yard rocket in the third quarter.
The offense kept clicking. Corey Reed Jr. snagged a 17-yard touchdown, and Arizona looked in control, up 35-20 midway through the fourth.
One Second, One Stunner
With under a minute left, Tucson caught fire. Tucson's quarterback, Jorge Reyna, quickly racked up two touchdowns, and their kicker made a 26-yard field goal, putting the Sugar Skulls up 36-35 with just one second remaining.
Tucson's Isaiah Huff attempted a return on the final kickoff, but the ball was unfortunately let loose. With the Rattlers searching for a last-second response, Tucson's defense shut the door. Tucson intercepted the ball and ran it in for a final touchdown, snatching the victory from the Rattlers' grasp, sealing the Sugar Skulls' dramatic 42-35 victory and handing Arizona its first loss of the season.
What's Next?
The Rattlers return home next Saturday, May 10th, to play against the Bay Area Panthers at the Desert Diamond Arena.
