The struggles of Skyline Football are no secret. After going winless in the 2022 season, the team worked hard all off-season and won their opening game against Burton Bentley 30-18, but since then they have not won a game. Skyline is currently sitting 1-5 after a tough 55-0 Homecoming loss against Dexter.
To change the narrative for the rest of this season, the Eagles must move past losses and injuries. With running backs Ayden Schlecht (’26) fighting an ankle injury and T.J. Bailey (’24) out for the season, the team must look to a young, up-and-coming team against crosstown rival Pioneer on October 6th.
It might be the offensive line who steps in to fill the void. “Keeping a consistent offensive line is always gonna be important whether you pass or run,” says offensive lineman Mason Stagner (‘26). “Being able to get that initial push on teams is the most important. We have a young offensive line so we gotta do our jobs and we’ll be good.”
The Eagles haven’t won against Pioneer since 2020, but this season might be the chance for Skyline Football to triumph against them if, on the defensive side, they can adequately pressure Pioneer’s quarterback. “I’m not too worried about them compared to other teams,” says offensive and defensive lineman Rhys Hayman (’26). “You know I’m excited for that game.”
The Pioneers are currently 2-3 on the season with wins against Lincoln and Bedford. Skyline fell to Lincoln and Bedford with close scores of 0-6 and 14-24. “I mean they came into our home last year and stomped on our field so we’re looking to do the same this year,” says Hayman. “There’s always gonna be a tough competition against them but I mean we’re ready”
Schlecht, who leads the team with three touchdowns, is returning to play against Pioneer “I believe that our quarterbacks will be important,” says Schelcht. “I also think that Demos will step up on the offensive side and take a leading role in the team.”
Demos Vulicevic (’23) is a wide receiver for Skyline in his third year of Eagles Varsity Football. Vulicevic had one touchdown last season and is looking for revenge against the Pioneers, having never beaten them in his varsity career. “ My sophomore year we won but one of our players was ineligible so we had to forfeit,” said Vulicevic. “That’s my main point of motivation to beat them…. Last year we came in with really high hopes but we let that one go too.”
