Skye Camanachd manager Aonghas Macdonald has a young, revamped side and feels a top three North First Division spot is his target.
But he hopes their MacTavish Cup first-round tie at Premier champions Newtonmore tomorrow will be a key learning experience.
Macdonald said: “Our team has changed a great deal in the last couple of years with the old Skye bugbear of players leaving the island to work or study. We've good young players coming through in 16-year-old Jordan Murchison and Sean Hedley, 17-year-old Martin Bruce and 18-year-old Neil MacVicar.
“We've also been able to recruit veteran Robbie McDougall after a long spell working away then focusing on football. His strength will be a big help to our youngsters. I'm encouraged for the future but it may take two years for them to really blossom.
“Promotion this season is a big ask, but a top-three place is not beyond us.” The islanders, who have Premier-quality facilities, famously beat Newtonmore in the Camanachd Cup final 21 years ago but have their work cut out at The Eilean.
The visitors have Shockie Maclennan, A. B. Connor and Kerr Gibb all injured and out of the tie while Martin Bruce broke his wrist three weeks ago.
Newtonmore, cup winners in 2009, are in sparkling form and Skye, skippered by Sorley Macdonald, will face goalgrabber Danny MacRae who has hit five goals in two games plus three more in an abandoned match.
Beauly's 43-year-old full back Roger Cormack has been persuaded to play another year and has started the campaign impressively while his son Conor, who had a bad leg break last season, is working his way back in the second team. Jamie MacLennan is very doubtful with a foot injury for Beauly's cup visit to Inverness while Marc MacLachan will be unavailable.
Kinlochshiel have won both their opening games and sniff a chance of a Premier League scalp when they welcome Lovat to Kirkton. The visitors will have the influential Ewan Ferguson back while Graham Morrison returns for Shiel.
It would be a bigger scalp if Strathglass could upset Fort William at Cannich, the first meeting between the sides since 2008. The Premier League visitors have Adam Robertson and John Macdonald back from suspension.
The only all-Premier duel sees Kilmallie, last year's gallant beaten finalists, tackle the 2008 runners-up Glenurquhart at Canal Park with Glen hoping to have Neil Reid and Ruaridh Cameron fully fit.
The other tie is a Ross-shire derby at Strathpeffer with Caberfeidh possibly having a competitive edge over Lochcarron, having played twice to their once. Kevin Bartlett fired four for Cabers last week and will harass Lochcarron's defence.
There are two Premier League games and Kyles Athletic can go clear at the top if they win at bottom club Glenorchy who they slammed 8-0 in the reverse fixture on March 5.
MacTavish Cup holders Kingussie can leapfrog Newtonmore and Fort William to second place if they account for Oban Camanachd at The Dell. Kevin Thain is set for a second outing up front after his successful comeback last week while Thomas Borthwick could also return.
Oban Celtic visit Glasgow Mid Argyll in the Celtic Sociery first round with Inveraray hosting Bute in the other tie.