Marlowe agrees with Marshall that most of the recruiting rumors began with Skyline's agreement to take students from overcrowded schools in Jordan District. Hundreds of families were sent letters encouraging them to attend Skyline by Jordan District. Also, in 1991, the Utah Legislature passed the open enrollment law, which enables students to go to the school of their choice for any reason, if they do it at the beginning of their high school experience.

"Currently about 42 percent of our students come from outside our boundaries," Marlowe said. "About 30 percent of our football players do . . . . We lost 300 students as soon as they quit busing three years ago."

The school has lost about 75 students each year since 2000 and currently has a population of 1,450.

But winning with the regularity of Skyline suggests more than simply a numbers game.

Constant talk about why the Eagles are different and what honoring the Skyline tradition means is peppered throughout practices, team dinners and team meetings. The weight room is a shrine to the past with boards listing past successes and quotes meant to inspire current players.

"It started a long, long time ago when Skyline was the biggest school in the state," Marlowe said. In the early '80s, the school's numbers plummeted, and the dynasty seemed in decline. Then two important things happened: The Jordan District's bussing decision and Dupaix was hired as the Eagles head coach.

"Roger came in, and he just fit in so well with the community," Marlowe said. "He has a strong football mind, and he's able to communicate with players, parents and the administration. Everybody just loves him."

Like his predecessors, he reminds current players about the school's tradition of success in a variety of ways, while still allowing each squad to make its individual mark on the program. Marshall said each new player watches several old game films and when they choose a number, they can tell you who wore the number before them and what it means to be part of that specific tradition.

Another way Dupaix links past with present is to bring back former players. Three weeks ago at a team dinner, he did just that with members of the 1999 undefeated, nationally ranked state championship squad addressing the players.

"Everybody in the state wants what you have," said Brandon VanLeeuwen, the 1999 quarterback. "I would love to be able to strap up one more time . . . . There is nothing like playing football for Skyline."

Zane Bechtold, added, "There are two kinds of football in the state — high school football and Skyline football. Skyline football is a step above. I would die to play again."