Defending state champions will meet when Skyline hosts 2011 Florida 7A champion Manatee of Brandenton, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Skyline High School.

The game is a production by Next Level Championships and is planned to be nationally televised, according to Skyline Athletic Director Ryan Gilbert.

“I think it’s great,” Gilbert said of the opportunity to showcase the Spartans against another nationally recognized program. “They have a big time, national caliber quarterback and we obviously do too.”

That subplot will feature Skyline’s Max Browne, who recently picked up an offer from the defending national champs of college football after leading his team to the 4A state title and Cord Sandberg, who took his Hurricanes to a 13-2 mark with nearly 2,200 yards and 19 touchdowns through the air to go with 10 scores and 800 yards on the ground.

Gilbert also confirmed the Spartans are looking at another out-of-state opponent for 2012.

The rumblings suggest that Skyline is looking at a trip to face the Cottonwood Colts from Salt Lake City, Uta. though that game is not finalized and could not be confirmed by Gilbert at this time.

The time of the Manatee game is still TBD.