TUCSON - The Sugar Skulls will kick off their 2024 season on March 30th, Saturday at 6:05 PM against the Northern Arizona Wranglers in Prescott Valley's Findlay Toyota Center.
A New Chapter
Entering the 2024 season, plenty of fresh faces will be new to the Tucson Sugar Skulls organization. Beginning with the coaching staff, the Sugar Skulls have put together a group that is full of proven winners who also provide plenty of professional experience. Look no further than head coach Billy Back who fits that mold to perfection. Following the resignation of former Coach of the Year Hurtis Chinn, the five-time champion in Back brings a championship pedigree down to "The Old Pueblo". Not only did Back lead the Frisco Fighters to the best record in the Indoor Football League the past two years, but he also has managed to win a whopping five championships over ten seasons as a head coach.
In addition, Back will be joined by an impressive coaching staff, including Rayshaun Kizer as defensive coordinator and, Cam Gaddis as defensive back coach, and Antonio Rustin as defensive line coach, to cultivate a more aggressive defensive strategy.
Of course, there will also be plenty of weapons on offense at Coach Back's disposal with names like QB/RB Torrance Gibson, WR Mike Carrigan, and even second-year player Mike Jones who has already been named to the IFL first-team at the halfback position.
North vs South
In a rivalry that has had plenty of parity over the years, the first battle of Arizona in 2024 between these two squads will be entertaining, to say the least. Last season, the two teams split their pair of meetings. In the final contest coming up in Prescott Valley, the Sugar Skulls had the last laugh with a hard-fought 42-28 victory. The triumph helped Tucson snap a four-game losing streak to Northern Arizona. Overall, the Sugar Skulls are 4-5 in their last nine games against the Wranglers and will seek to win back-to-back games on the road at Northern Arizona for the first time.
Rose-Colored Glasses
For good reasons, the expectations surrounding this Sugar Skulls team could not be higher. After a 9-7 season ended up leaving a sour taste in the mouths of fans with a loss to the Bay Area Panthers in the playoffs a year ago, the Sugar Skulls are chomping at the bit to exact revenge and earn their first postseason win in franchise history. With a newly acquainted winning culture, Tucson expects nothing short of being in contention by season's end. Buckle up, Sugar Skulls fans. Let the games begin!
LIVE STREAM
Catch all the action of the game by streaming it live on YouTube.
