Last week the Rattlers (9-5) dominated the San Diego Strike Force 65-36, giving them a slight chance to get the second seed in the Western Conference.
Heading into their game against the Tucson Sugar Skulls, the Rattlers were 1.5 games back.
In order to guarantee a home playoff game, the Rattlers would have to beat Tucson, and the San Antonio Gunslingers next week.
The Rattlers also need San Diego to go 1-2 down the stretch.
They went 2-0 against San Diego this season so they have the tiebreaker.
The Rattlers started off the scoring as Max Meylor took a designed QB run around the edge for a three-yard touchdown
After the defense gets a stop, Rattlers offense was unable to add on to their lead as on a catch and run Rattlers receiver Corey Reed Jr. was stripped and fumbled the ball, Tucson’s d-lineman Rafiq Abdul-Wahid recovered the ball giving the Sugar Skulls a short field.
The Sugar Skulls capitalized on the turnover, as quarterback Ja’Rome Johnson fooled the entire Rattler defense with a read option on the goal line, and ran into the endzone untouched for a one-yard touchdown run tying the game at seven.
The Rattlers next drive stalled, but it didn’t matter because kicker Matthew Cook delivered on a long 49-yard field goal making it 10-7 Rattlers.
The Sugar skulls responded, as their kicker Ben Woodard delivered from 35, tying the game up at 10.
The Rattlers got their lead right back as Max Meylor found receiver Arlan Bruce IV on an out route for a 4-yard touchdown, making 17-10 Rattlers.
The Sugar Skulls bounced back with some Ja’Rome Johnson magic, as on a QB designed run— he was wrapped up and somehow spun off the tackle, reversed field and ran into the endzone for a two-yard touchdown.
The extra point was blocked by Rattlers D-lineman Josh Ellison so it was 17-16 with 2:58 left in the half.
The Rattlers were able to milk the rest of the clock and get in field goal range, but Cook’s 35- yard attempt went wide right, so it stayed 17-16 at half.
The Sugar Skulls started off the second half nicely as Ben Woodard connected with a 41-yard field goal making 19-17.
Shortly after, Tucson’s D-line sacked Max Meylor, who coughed up the football and the ball was recovered by D-lineman Djimon Brooks giving Tucson the ball back.
The next play Ja’rome Johnson was picked off by defensive back Yahsyn Mckee who returned it all the way back for a pick six making it 24-19 Rattlers.
After the Rattlers special teams blocked a 51-yard field goal, they took advantage of the short field as running back Ron Brown jr. took a zone run and fought his way into the endzone for a four-yard touchdown, Matthew Cook missed the extra point so it was 30-19.
However, Cook made up for it, drilling the kickoff between the uprights for a deuce, making 32-19.
One play later Rattlers defensive end John Pius demolished Ja’rome Johnson with a huge hit in the endzone, giving the Rattlers a safety and a 34-19 lead.
Two drives later, Max Meylor found Arlan Bruce IV on a corner route for an 18-yard touchdown, a score that served as the dagger, making it 41-19 Rattlers with 4:21 left in the game.
Running back Brandon Mackey broke off for a 27-yard rushing touchdown, the two-point conversion was unsuccessful making it 41-25, with a minute left.
The Rattlers recovered Tucson’s onside kick attempt and drained the rest of the clock.
With the win, the Rattlers move to 10-5 and remain in 3rd in the West.
Head Coach Kevin Guy talked about his “standard” during postgame.
“There is a standard here, you know tonight was our 16th year in a row that we won double digit wins, it’s 17 years in a row that we’ve made the playoffs, that’s our standard— and we gotta play with that standard,” Guy said.
The Rattlers go on the road to San Antonio next week to play the Gunslingers.
