Tucson Standard

The Tucson Sugar Skulls have finally broken through against would-be rivals the Arizona Rattlers, defeating their in-state counterparts 74-63 on May 7, the Sugar Skulls’ first victory in franchise history over the Rattlers.

“For us to be around three years and to finally beat these guys is important. Now we can start a rivalry,” Sugar Skulls coach Dixie Wooten said in a story by KTBS. “We can start it right now. We finally beat them, and we beat them in front of our home crowd. It was a great thing for us.”

The Sugar Skulls had been 0-7 all-time against the Rattlers, but Tucson set a franchise record with 74 points. Quarterback Daquan Neal completed 12 of 15 passing attempts, 152 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for two more scores.

“That’s what Daquan is here for. We brought the MVP here. But his leadership was bigger than his stats. That’s the big thing,” Wooten said. “When guys were going down, he was on the sideline pepping them up. His leadership was amazing tonight.”

Neal scored to put the Sugar Skulls up 35-26 late in the first half. It was a lead they would never relinquish, and they were able to get enough stops on defense to hold the Rattlers off.

“I’m just proud of us,” Neal said. “We’ve never beaten them before. To do it at home was a great feeling. We’re tired of losing. We all play this game to win. We don’t come out here and bust our tails in practice, film room, weight room just to come out and lay an egg.”

The Sugar Skulls (4-3) handed the Rattlers (6-1) their first loss. Mike Jones, who has been with the Skulls for each game against the Rattlers, said the win helps Tucson continue to move in the right direction.

“I feel like we’ve got the momentum right now, so we might as well keep this thing rolling,” Jones said. “Like I’ve said before, it’s always us against us any time we step foot on the football field. We have everyone starting to buy into what’s really going on.”