Skyline hosts East on Friday, Oct. 2, in a 4A Region 10 game that marks first-year Eagles head coach Brandon Matich's first meeting against the program he led for 15 seasons.

Matich compiled a 138-60 record and won two state titles at East in 2015 and 2016 before stepping down in June 2025, according to the Millcreek Journal. He started his coaching career at Skyline in 1997 as a linebackers coach.

The Eagles enter the game 4-3 overall and 3-0 in region play, sitting alone in first place in Region 10, according to MaxPreps. Skyline has outscored its three region opponents 186-19, including a 56-0 win at Cottonwood on Sept. 25 in which the Eagles scored three touchdowns on special teams or defense.

East arrives at 1-5 overall and 1-2 in region, fourth in the standings. The Leopards have been outscored 235-75 on the season, though they picked up a 54-6 win over Juan Diego on Sept. 25. Moe Latu scored four touchdowns in that game, according to KSL.

The Deseret News' Parry Power Guide rates Skyline at 74.4 and East at 50.7, making the Eagles a 23.7-point favorite.

Quarterback Tate Johnson transferred from Mountain View, where he threw for 1,973 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2025. Johnson scored three touchdowns in Skyline's Week 2 win over Olympus, including two rushing scores and a 32-yard pass to Tu'i Will.

Running back Jonah Mailei, an Honorable Mention All-State selection after rushing for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025, gives the Eagles a second playmaker defenses must account for.

When Matich was introduced as Skyline's coach in August, he told the Deseret News he wanted to continue the program's momentum. "Skyline made a lot of strides last year and we hope to build off what Coach Mailei started," Matich said in the preseason Region 10 preview.

Seven weeks in, the Eagles have delivered in region play. Their three non-region losses came against Stansbury, Lone Peak and Skyridge.

The stakes rise after Friday. Skyline travels to Highland on Oct. 8 to face the defending Region 10 champion. Highland is ranked fifth in the Deseret News 4A poll. The Eagles close the regular season at home against Murray on Oct. 14.

A win Friday would give Skyline a 4-0 region record heading into that Highland showdown.