SYRACUSE — After reaching the Rice-Eccles turf in just their second year of existence last season, the last thing the Syracuse Titans wanted to be known as was a one-year wonder.

Beating arguably the most tradition-rich football school in the state will take care of that label.

Syracuse made a statement, smashing Skyline 31-7 in the first round of the 5A playoffs on Friday afternoon. The Titans advance to play the winner of today's Bingham-Jordan game in the quarterfinals.

"Skyline's got tradition," said Syracuse quarterback Tanner Russell, who could not be contained by the Eagles. "Everybody else in Salt Lake's got tradition. We want to set up ours here. We're not a one-year fluke or anything. We want to consistently go to the playoffs every year."

There's a big difference between getting to the playoffs and winning there, and Syracuse, in just its third year, is quickly learning how to be successful in the postseason. The Titans, who have been built by defense the last two seasons, used another stifling effort against Skyline.

Syracuse forced five turnovers in the second half to pull away from the Eagles. The Titans trailed by four at halftime because they couldn't get their offense going, but big plays from the defense gave them short fields and sparked them.

Skyline had to play most of the game without two-way starter Alge Brown, who suffered a knee injury in the first quarter and did not return.

Syracuse took its first lead of the game in the third quarter. Linebacker Cole Conner recovered a Skyline fumble on the Eagles' 21-yard line. Six plays later, Russell scored on a 3-yard run to give the Titans a 10-7 advantage.

"We just take pride in our defense," said Titans defensive back Alex Swanson. "We're a defensive school. Our offense came through today and we came away with a win. That's all that matters."

Conner picked off a Skyline pass to end its final possession. Mitch Tulane had two interceptions, and Swanson added a pick in the fourth quarter.