Park City's football program starts fresh Aug. 14 when the Miners travel to Sky View for a 7 p.m. kickoff under first-year head coach Dennis Cunningham, who takes over a roster that graduated 26 seniors and returns just three starters on each side of the ball.

Cunningham, promoted after four seasons as an assistant during which the Miners posted four straight winning records and reached the 4A semifinals in 2023, replaces Josh Montzingo. Montzingo resigned in February after more than a decade leading the program and moved to Brighton High School.

The challenge is real. Park City finished 7-5 last fall, beat Sky View in the first round of the 4A playoffs, then lost 49-3 to eventual state champion Ridgeline in the quarterfinals. A Region 8 preseason coaches' poll slots the Miners fourth in an expanded eight-team league.

"How much success we have will depend on how quickly we learn new systems, how quickly our young kids grow up and how hard we work over the summer," Cunningham told the Deseret News in a Region 8 preview published Aug. 3.

Senior quarterback Josh Hofer, who threw for more than 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, anchors the returning talent. Ethan Cunningham, the head coach's grandson, is the other marquee returner as a senior running back and linebacker. In a June 19 Park Record feature, the younger Cunningham said the team was in "a great spot for the time of year."

Park City's home opener is Aug. 28 against Morgan at Dozier Field, where a $48.7 million renovation is adding new bleachers, locker rooms, press boxes and a track.

New school, new rivalry

That same night, the brand-new Deer Creek High School in Heber City will host Mountain Crest at 7 p.m. for the Riverhawks' inaugural football game. Head coach DeShawn Perkins told the Deseret News his players are "ready to make an impact and create something new in the Heber Valley."

Deer Creek's addition pushed Wasatch High School from 5A down to 4A and expanded Region 8 from six teams to eight. The Riverhawks are projected to finish last in the region, but the schedule builds fast: Deer Creek hosts Wasatch on Sept. 4 and travels to Park City on Oct. 14.