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Cottonwood Heights Journal

Skyline football looks to keep pace in Region 6

Aug 17, 2018 02:02PM ● By Jana Klopsch

Skyline's Chris Dudley, shown here in action last season, will start at quarterback for the Eagles this year. (Photo courtesy of Bob Dudley)

By Josh McFadden | [email protected]           

If you’re a fan of Skyline football, you didn’t suffer from boredom at the games last season.           

The Eagles made things entertaining on the field, getting into shootouts in most of their games. The team is hoping for continued firepower on offense and to clamp down on defense.           

Scoring was not a problem for Skyline in 2017. The Eagles were among the top 10 teams in Class 5A in points per game with nearly 34 an outing — this despite getting shut out in its state tournament loss and posting just 14 points in a 28-point loss in the regular season finale. In its six victories, Skyline averaged 44.3 points per game.           

Skyline has to replace most of that production, including departed quarterback Tommy McGrath, who threw for more than 3,000 yards, and wide receiver Taylor Larsen, who grabbed 57 balls for 1,184 yards and 16 touchdowns. Hayden Hansen will try to fill the void at wideout. Last season, he had 22 catches for 453 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jacob Walker returns on the offensive line where he’ll try to open holes for the running game and protect the quarterback.           

Speaking of quarterback, the young man at the helm this season will be Chris Dudley, who threw two passes last season, completing one for seven yards. He started at safety last year and now take the reins at QB.           

Skyline had trouble slowing down opponents last season. The Eagles were near the bottom in 5A by allowing more than 32 points per game. Three starters are back for that unit, including defensive back Moses Tauteoli, who had 34 tackles last season. Cameron Sueoka will lead the linebackers. He contributed 14 tackles and two sacks in 2017. On the defensive line, Walker will take on an increased role. He chipped in 14 tackles last season.           

The Eagles placed third in Region 6 a year ago, going 3-2 with victories over Murray, West and Olympus and losses to Highland and Lehi, which finished above them in the standings.           

Skyline opened the 2018 season Aug. 17 with a game at Granger. Results were unavailable at press time. The Eagles then have a rare Saturday game on Aug. 25 when it tangles with out-of-state foe Skyview, Idaho, at home. On Sept. 21, Skyline begins its region portion of the schedule when it hosts Highland.

In order to reach the Class 5A state tournament, Skyline must avoid the Region 6 basement, as the top four teams in the five-team league qualify for the postseason.