Park City's winless football team opens region play Saturday, Sept. 5, at Mountain View in Orem, bringing an 0-3 record into a season with a smaller 16-team playoff field.

The Utah high school football playoffs shrunk from 24 teams to 16 this year. A data-driven ranking system called RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) will determine the bracket. The Miners have seven region games ahead, starting with the Bruins, and each one factors into the RPI ranking.

Head coach Dennis Cunningham told the Park Record he is not overhauling the playbook after a 35-0 loss to Morgan on Saturday, Aug. 29.

"I certainly didn't walk away from there thinking, 'Oh man, we need to change all these things,'" Cunningham said. "I've had a lot of conversations over the weekend with coaches and other people and reflected that the plan is the right plan. … We have just got to be better. We have got to tackle, block and cover better."

Morgan scored all four of its touchdowns in the first three quarters, piling up nearly 300 yards through the air. The game was played at South Summit High School in Kamas because Dozier Field remains under construction.

Park City's defense did produce four interceptions, according to TownLift. Junior Kaleb Collier grabbed two. Senior Matix Black and junior Easton Jones each had one.

The Mountain View matchup offers some familiarity. Park City beat the Bruins 45-14 last season, a game in which Josh Hofer and Ethan Cunningham, both then-juniors, combined for three touchdowns. Coach Cunningham said facing the same opponent should give his players comfort with what they see on the field.

The coach described his squad as young and said the staff's goal all year has been to peak around weeks four and five. He pointed to reps, experience and health as the priorities.

After the Mountain View game, the Miners expect to play their first true home game at the remodeled Dozier Field on Sept. 11 against Salem Hills. Cunningham said the construction crew told him the field will be ready, though no official confirmation has been released.

Kickoff against Mountain View is 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, in Orem. KPCW will carry live coverage.