The Skyline Eagles will kick off the 2026 football season as underdogs when they host the Stansbury Stallions on Friday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m.

Noland Parry's Power Guide, published Wednesday in the Deseret News, gives Stansbury an 83.1 power rating to Skyline's 72.5, a 10.6-point differential favoring the visitors. The guide's "Edward's Edge" pick, however, sides with the Eagles.

It's the first game that counts for Brandon Matich, who took over as head coach after the program sat out 2025. Friday is his Skyline debut. Matich replaces Ryan Mailei, Jonah Mailei's father, and brings a 164-71 career record in 19 seasons at East High and Park City, including back-to-back state titles at East in 2015 and 2016. As we reported Aug. 1, preseason coaches picked Skyline to win Region 10.

The roster gives him plenty to work with. Fourteen starters return, headlined by running back Jonah Mailei, a University of Utah commit for the class of 2027 and the state's highest-rated running back prospect according to 247 Sports' composite rankings. Mailei ran for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior in what the Deseret News called a "breakout" season. Transfer quarterback Tate Johnson adds another dimension to an offense that already has experience up front.

Friday's opener is the first of two marquee home games in August. Skyline hosts Lone Peak on Aug. 28 in a matchup that will pit Mailei against Lone Peak wide receiver Dillon Sykes, a transfer from Rancho Cucamonga, California, and fellow Utah commit.