High school football 5A preview: Skyline at Lone Peak

Skyline (6-4) at Lone Peak (7-3)

5A state tournament first round

Friday, 3 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: Lone Peak by 3.5 points

All-time series: Skyline leads 1-0

Last meeting: 5A playoffs, Oct. 28, 2005 — Skyline 14, Lone Peak 10

They aren't winning state championships seemingly every year like they did in the 90s, but lining up against the tradition-rich Skyline Eagles in the state playoffs is hardly an enticing proposition.

Skyline, which plays at Lone Peak in the first round of the 5A playoffs on Friday, has advanced past the first round in 13 of the last 14 seasons. The Eagles always have some swagger at this time of the year, and the Knights should expect a big-time battle on Friday.

"It certainly doesn't hurt to have some confidence from past years," said Skyline coach Roger DuPaix. "But each team is different from a year ago or five years ago."

Lone Peak should technically be considered the favorite in Friday's game because it finished higher in its region and is playing at home. The Knights have won three straight games, and are playing well under first-year coach Tony McGeary. They have a balanced offense, and their team speed will cause the Eagles some trouble.

"They're definitely a very, very good team," DuPaix said. "They're very tough on defense. They've got a real good offensive scheme. It's going to be a very hard game for us."

Skyline opened the season with a stunning victory over second-ranked Bingham. Although the Miners were playing without some suspended leaders, the win seemed to mark a possible return to dominance for the Eagles. But Skyline struggled with consistency from week to week, and barely finished above .500 at 6-4.

But in win-or-go-home situations, the Eagles have to be considered dangerous. They feature some playmakers on offense in Kevin Wagstaff and Alge Brown. They also boast one of the state's most experienced and successful coaching staffs.

"They (the Skyline players) are working out hard, trying to get better each week," DuPaix said. "They have a good attitude. They know they've been making some mistakes, and they have to correct them. They have to or else we won't be able to stay with Lone Peak. We got to play error-free ball."