Brighton hosts state-ranked Crimson Cliffs on Friday, Sept. 4, at Freestone Field, the first home game under new head coach Josh Montzingo.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Montzingo, who replaced Casey Sutera after Sutera left for Corner Canyon, took over a program that reached the 5A state semifinals in 2024 with 11 wins. He spent 13 years at Park City High School, the last 10 as head coach, compiling an 82-39 record with four region championships and three state semifinal appearances, according to the Cottonwood Heights Journal. During his tenure at Park City, Montzingo sent 45 athletes on to play college football.

"Personal player development is paramount," Montzingo said in a Sept. 3 preview in the Cottonwood Heights Journal. "I want to see these boys become the best they can become."

The Bengals opened the season with a 34-0 road win over West on Aug. 15 before falling 38-31 to 6A Weber on Aug. 21, when Warriors quarterback Carter Payne threw the game-winning touchdown pass with 2:44 left, the Deseret News reported.

Crimson Cliffs, last year's 4A runner-up, will test Brighton's young roster. Mustangs quarterback Tanoai Andresen threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 65 more in a 31-13 win over Provo in Week 2. The Mustangs were 2-1 as of Aug. 31 and earned their first appearance in the High School Football America statewide top 10.

In the Deseret News' preseason Region 6 preview published Aug. 5, Montzingo said the Bengals would "have to grow up fast" against a tough nonregion slate that also includes two-time 4A champion Ridgeline and 6A Weber.

Montzingo brought in a large new coaching staff, including Kayleb Kirby, Kirt Larsen, Brayden Stevens, Josh Huber, Rick Morgan and Alec Febo among 14 assistants.

Brighton competes in 5A Region 6 alongside Olympus, Alta, Bountiful, Woods Cross and Viewmont. The Bengals and Bountiful were tied for fourth in the preseason coaches poll, with Olympus the favorite.

The remaining home schedule at Freestone Field, all at 7 p.m.: Thursday, Sept. 10 vs. West; Sept. 18 vs. Viewmont; Oct. 2 vs. Woods Cross; Wednesday, Oct. 14 vs. Alta.