Tucson Sugar Skulls ready to begin new era in home opener against Vegas

Tucson's Indoor Football League team kicks off its season Sunday afternoon against the defending IFL champion Vegas Knight Hawks at 4:30 p.m. at Tucson Arena. 

It'll mark the first game under the new ownership group led by local businessman Edmund Marquez, who's the majority owner and team president of the Sugar Skulls, with Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl chairman Ali Farhang as the minority — and the team's board of governors composed of roughly a dozen local business owners. 

It's also the first game under head coach Rayshaun Kizer, who was promoted from defensive coordinator following the firing of head coach Billy Back. Kizer is the team's fifth coach since the IFL franchise was established in 2019. Since the Sugar Skulls opened, the team has a 33-45 overall record and is 0-3 in the postseason. The Sugar Skulls went a combined 8-24 the last two seasons.

Tucson is looking to turn a new page — and potentially become one of the top teams in the 14-team IFL. If all goes according to Kizer's plan, the Sugar Skulls could be hosting the IFL championship at Tucson Arena in August. 

"That's my goal. I want to have a winning season, win in the playoffs and compete for a championship. That's our top goals as a team and coaching staff."

For now, Vegas has Tucson's undivided attention. 

"Our focus is game-planning and getting the guys ready for Sunday for our home opener," Kizer said. "We definitely want to put on a good show for the city of Tucson and put the league on notice that we're a different team this year. ... You can't speak championships without a winning record. Vegas is the first game on our schedule and we're taking it one game at a time. At the end of the season, we want to play our best football and play for a championship." 

Leading up to the Sugar Skulls' home opener, Kizer joined "Spears & Ali" on ESPN Tucson to preview the season. Here's what Tucson's coach had to say: 

How would you summarize the last few months from the time you were hired in September to now? 

A: "We've put in so much work. It's been nonstop. I've been on autopilot because it feels like everything is moving at one speed. It'll all pay off. Like I said, we're looking forward to the results. The guys love the new changes we made in the offseason. We're just looking to put a good product on the field for the city of Tucson." 

When you were building the roster in the offseason, what traits were you looking for in players?

A: "Good-character guys. I tell the guys all the time, 'I don't want to babysit you off the field.' Just looking for good-character guys that are going to represent this organization in the right capacity. Just making sure we got good football players, guys that played at high-caliber schools that are ready for the bright lights and big moments." 

What do you think about kicking off the season against a team that won the IFL championship the last time they were in the building?

A: "Vegas is a fun game. I love sparring with them. Everybody got them penciled in as the best team in the league. Obviously they won the championship, so until somebody beats them, they're the top dog right now. It'll let us know exactly who we are and where we're at as a team and if we need to make any changes. This game is going to tell us a lot. We're going to have the guys ready for Sunday, and we're just looking forward to putting together a good product on the field and competing." 

What's your scouting report on Vegas quarterback Jayden de Laura, the former Arizona Wildcats quarterback and IFL championship offensive MVP, who threw for 158 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener against Green Bay? 

A: "I love Jayden. I think he came in last year and did some really good things with Vegas. He's a great quarterback, dual-threat quarterback. We definitely have to contain him. We have to confuse him with some coverages on the back end. We gotta rally and play physical, fast and relentless football on the defensive side. On the offensive side, we just gotta score more points off Vegas."

How has it been with the new ownership group? 

A: "Edmund has been great. I feel like we've been stuck to the hip since I got out here and we've been able to build a special relationship and we trust each other; Ali has been great, as well. These guys have given us all the resources to be successful on and off the field. They're from Tucson and this means the world to them. We want to make sure we're putting a good product and a winning product on the field. I'm going to make sure we do that. ... We've got a great organization, a great ownership group and I'm happy to be a part of it."

Who's going to quarterback the Sugar Skulls this week? 

A: "Our starting quarterback is going to be Draylen Ellis. He played under (former Tennessee Titans star running back and head coach) Eddie George at Tennessee State and won a championship. He was a five-year starter, just a great guy. He's a ball of energy and the guys love him. Great team player and leader. I'm looking forward to see what he can do Game 1. I feel like he's going to be a great quarterback in this league. We'll see if he's ready for the big stage. ... I feel like we a have really good team. Everybody likes each other and trusts each other on this team." 

How important was it to return starting defensive backs Kendricks Gladney and Ahmad Lyons, who started in your secondary last season?

A: "They've been great leaders on this defense. Very vocal this season. Ahmaad and Gladney, lucky to have those guys. My defense is a little complicated, so I'm glad to have guys who've been a part of my defense; it's easier to coach. It's easy to coach the secondary. I'm just lucky to have Gladney and Ahmad. It makes my job easier, and they're going to talk and put guys in the right spot."

How is the talent level in the IFL, and how has it grown? 

A: "That's one thing that doesn't get talked about enough, the talent level in the IFL. It has grown since I came into this league. It has grown tremendously over the last few seasons.

"It's the top indoor league for a reason. We got a platform with 'Overnight' and 'Yahoo! Sports' to broadcast our games. We have talent across the board. Not just talent, Division I talent. That's how far our league has come. There's a great product on the field. All 14 teams are very talented. We always on any given Saturday or any given Sunday, any team can win. It's about who comes out ready to play that day." 

Extra points

– Tucson has six players with Power 4 experience: defensive back Bri'On Murray (Georgia Tech), wide receiver Tamorrion Terry (Florida State), linebacker Octavius Brothers (Purdue), wide receiver Jaron Waters (Oregon), linebacker Dae'shawn Davis (Iowa State) and defensive lineman D'jimon Brooks (Georgia Tech). 

– The Sugar Skulls partnered with "Just Sports" for merchandise on shoptucsonsugarskulls.com.

– Season tickets for eight home games in Tucson start at $160. The eight home games are against Vegas, San Diego Strike Force, New Mexico Chupacabras (twice), San Antonio Gunslingers, Orlando Pirates, Arizona Rattlers and Northern Arizona Wranglers.