Skyline football enters the 2026 season as the team to beat in Region 10, edging defending champion Highland for the top spot in the preseason coaches poll.

The Eagles will look different at the top. Brandon Matich, a two-time state champion at East High, replaces Ryan Mailei as head coach after a one-year hiatus in 2025. Matich is entering his 20th season leading a program in Utah, having compiled a 128-60 record across 15 years at East (with titles in 2015 and 2016) and a 36-11 mark in four seasons at Park City before that.

"I'm surprised Highland is not the favorite," Matich told the Deseret News in its Aug. 1 Region 10 preview. "They won it last year, which until they are knocked off, they deserve to be favored."

Humility aside, the roster backs up the poll. Skyline returns eight offensive starters and six on defense from a team that went 9-4 overall and 5-1 in region play last season, overcoming an 0-2 start to reach the 4A quarterfinals before falling 28-26 to Green Canyon.

The biggest loss is First Team All-State quarterback Xavier Cocci, who accounted for more than 4,600 total yards and 49 touchdowns in 2025. His replacement: Mountain View transfer Tate Johnson, who threw for 1,973 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions last season and will run Skyline's power spread offense.

The engine of the attack is senior running back Jonah Mailei, an Honorable Mention All-State selection who rushed for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 344 receiving yards in 2025. Mailei, who also starts at linebacker, has committed to the University of Utah and is the highest-rated running back prospect in the state according to 247Sports composite rankings.

Matich said in his preseason questionnaire that the team worked hard in the offseason to build on the foundation the previous coaching staff created, calling the group hungry and talented.

The offensive line returns four starters in Cole Christensen, Ammon Sánchez, Elijah Browne and Simon Johnson, while versatile slot back Will Black adds another weapon in the backfield. Defensively, coordinator Sale Tuitavake brings back Mikey Riley at defensive end/linebacker, David Campbell at end, and safeties Xander Mattinson, Liam Whitworth and George Steenblick.

Highland, which went 6-0 in region and 7-4 overall in 2025, is no pushover at No. 2. Head coach Kautai Olevao returns eight starters on both sides of the ball entering his sixth season. Murray, East, Juan Diego, Jordan and Cottonwood round out the poll.

Skyline opens at home against Stansbury on Friday, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. A marquee non-region test follows on Friday, Aug. 28 when the Eagles host Lone Peak, a game that will feature two Utah commits: Mailei and Lone Peak transfer wide receiver Dillon Sykes.