Box Score Saturday night's game opened with a lengthy drive for the Sugar Skulls offense. Tucson held the ball for over six minutes to start the game, and ultimately came up with zero points. The Wranglers defense made a stop on fourth down during the first drive of the contest. On the Wranglers first offensive drive, quarterback Garrett Kettle located wide receiver Ryan Wisniewski for a 38-yard bomb. This brought the Wranglers inside the Sugar Skulls' 10-yard line, but then Northern Arizona coughed up the football with a fumble.
 
This fumble would be an early indication of the game to follow; a hard-fought contest that was full of turnovers from both teams. The Wranglers regained possession of the football when defensive back Daniel Wright ripped the ball from Sugar Skulls wide receiver Carrington Thompson's hands. The ball bounced into the air, and was scooped up by Northern Arizona defensive back Dorian Walker. Walker returned the fumble all the way to the Sugar Skulls one-yard line. The first quarter came to close with no points on the board, and with the Wranglers in possession of the football facing a 4th and goal.
 
To start the second quarter, Wranglers running back Jarrod Ware Jr. scored the game's first points with a rushing touchdown. On the following possession, Wranglers defensive back Travion Banks nabbed an interception, and returned it 40 yards down to the Tucson two-yard line. Ware Jr. scored his second touchdown of the day, but he caught a pass from Kettle to get this score. The Wranglers quickly jumped in front of the Sugar Skulls with a 14-0 lead after a scoreless opening quarter. The Sugar Skulls responded with a touchdown of their own. On the ensuing possession, Kettle scored a touchdown with his legs, and the Wranglers extended their lead once again.
 
The score was 21-6 in favor of Northern Arizona with just one minute to go in the second quarter. The Sugar Skulls scored a touchdown with 17 seconds left. The Wranglers offense got kicker Brandon Fischer in position to make a 19-yard field goal and go into halftime with a ten point lead. The Wranglers held that lead with the score at 24-14.
 
The third quarter began with the Wranglers receiving the second half kickoff. The Wranglers ended their first drive of the half with an interception. On the next possession, Wranglers defensive back Kishawn Walker snagged an interception, and ran it back for the touchdown. The touchdown was negated by an illegal blindside block as Walker returned the interception. The Wranglers were unable to capitalize on the turnover, as they a field goal after the interception by Walker. The Wranglers closed the third quarter with defensive back Dorian Walker recovering a Sugar Skulls fumble. The score remained 24-14 in favor of Northern Arizona.
 
The Sugar Skulls were able to force another turnover, and they scored a touchdown to bring the game closer, with a 24-21 score. The Wranglers offense turned the ball over yet again, and momentum felt like it was starting to slip for Northern Arizona. In the face of adversity, the Wranglers defense stepped up to swing things back in their favor. Wranglers defensive back Travion Banks caught his second interception of the day, and the Wranglers were back in the driver's seat. Off the turnover, Wranglers wide receiver Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman scored a rushing touchdown with less than one minute to go in the game. The Wranglers defense got one final fourth down stop and, the game ended with Kettle taking a knee.
 
The Wranglers fought hard to take down the team who was atop the Indoor Football League's Western Conference standings. The game was intense, and turnover filled. The Wranglers will return to Pinnacle Bank Field at the Findlay Toyota Center next Saturday,  May 13th. The Wranglers next home game will be a rematch against the Bay Area Panthers. The Wranglers will have to protect the football better next week to beat a tough Bay Area Panthers team. This game will be for sole possession of first place in the Western Conference.
?The Northern Arizona Wranglers 2023 home games, with dates and matchups and results, are listed below.
 
Saturday, March 25th, 6:05 P.M. vs Duke City Gladiators     LOSS, 43-35
 
Saturday, April 1st, 6:05 P.M. vs Vegas Knight Hawks          WIN, 48-42
 
Sunday, April 16th, 3:05 P.M. vs San Diego Strike Force      WIN, 48-9
 
Saturday, May 13th, 6:05 P.M. vs Bay Area Panthers
 
Saturday, June 3rd, 6:05 P.M. vs Arizona Rattlers
 
Saturday, June 17th, 6:05 P.M. vs Frisco Fighters
 
Saturday, June 24th, 6:05 P.M. vs Tucson Sugar Skulls
 
Saturday, July 8th, 6:05 P.M. vs Massachusetts Pirates
 
Season tickets for your 2022 IFL National Champions, the Northern Arizona Wranglers, are on sale now for the 2023 regular season.
 
You can check our website, nazwranglers.com, for a seating map of the Findlay Toyota Center, and pricing breakdown. This is located under the Season Tickets tab on the homepage.
 
For any Season Ticket inquiries, call us at 928-379-5581
 
You can also email emaleighwalter@nazwranglers.com
 
Use the link below to purchase your single game tickets. You can also purchase single game tickets by visiting the Findlay Toyota Center box office.
 
https://www.ticketmaster.com/northern-arizona-wranglers-tickets/artist/2769030
 
 
 
 
Written by: Tucker Welch
Edited by: Ed Cole