Both of Cottonwood Heights and Holladay's football programs will open the 2026 season under first-year head coaches, with Olympus tabbed as the Region 6 preseason favorite and Brighton picked to rebuild after back-to-back semifinal runs.

The 5A season kicks off Thursday, Aug. 13.

Olympus: preseason favorite with depth concerns

Casey Evans, a Titan alum and former Olympus defensive coordinator, takes over a program that went 6-6 in 2025 and lost to Woods Cross 13-6 in the second round of the 5A playoffs, according to the Deseret News's Region 6 preview. He'll also call plays on offense. Eric Jacobsen steps in as the new defensive coordinator.

Despite all the turnover at the top, Region 6 coaches gave Olympus the slight edge in preseason voting. Three teams received first-place votes (Olympus, Woods Cross and Alta), but the Titans came out on top.

The catch: Olympus returns only nine starters, the second-fewest in the region. Five come back on offense, including senior quarterback Preston Ferran, running back Beckham Allred and tight end Sam Ngata. Four return on defense, anchored by second-team all-state seniors Sam Brown (DB) and Haloti Ngata (DL/ATH).

Defense figures to be the strength again. The Titans ranked fourth in 5A scoring defense in 2025, allowing just 15.83 points per game. The offense, at 21.75 points per game, ranked 17th.

"There is talent and experience on the roster, but depth is definitely a question mark," Evans said. "You can expect a tough, smart, disciplined, well-coached and undersized team."

Olympus will run a 3-4 defense and a multiple-offense scheme.

Brighton: fewest returning starters, biggest pedigree

Josh Montzingo arrives in Cottonwood Heights after a decade at Park City, where he compiled an 82-39 record, won four region titles and led the Miners to a state runner-up finish in 2021. His teams posted winning records in seven of the past eight seasons.

He replaces Casey Sutera, who left for Corner Canyon in February after going 35-14 in four years at Brighton, earning three Region 6 championships, two semifinal appearances at Rice Eccles Stadium and the 2024 5A Coach of the Year award.

Brighton finished 7-6 in 2025, co-won the region title with a 4-1 record and fell to Springville 30-24 in the 5A semifinals. But the cupboard is thin: the Bengals return just seven starters, fewest in Region 6. Four are on offense, led by senior linemen Shilo Collins and Zion Hunkin, senior receiver Easton Gustafson and senior tight end Oakley McKnight. Junior Griff Matsumori is the new quarterback.

On defense, seniors Dax Matheson (S), Graham Liddell (DL) and Owen Hanson (C) are the only returning starters. Montzingo will coordinate the defense himself, running a 3-3 scheme. Teddy Spooner takes over as offensive coordinator.

"We will be young but talented this season," Montzingo said. "With a tough pre-region schedule, we will have to grow up fast."

Brighton tied for fourth in the preseason coaches poll alongside Bountiful.

Region 6 context

Region 6 was one of only two regions statewide where every team lost at least one game in 2025. Parity is the expectation again. Woods Cross, which shared last year's region title with Brighton, was picked second. Alta landed third.

Both Olympus and Brighton open the season Aug. 13. Opponents have not yet been announced.