Taulapapa scores four TDs as Manti defeats Carbon 41-16

ByRobert Stevens

MANTI – Ben Taulapapa scored four touchdowns and rushed for 125 yards as Manti High School snapped a six-game losing streak with a 41-16 victory over Carbon on Friday, Oct. 9, earning its first Region 3A South football win of the season.

Manti running back Ben Taulapapa carries the ball against Carbon during the Templars’ 41-16 home victory. Photo by Kyle Parry.
Manti running back Ben Taulapapa carries the ball against Carbon during the Templars’ 41-16 home victory. Photo by Kyle Parry.

The Templars overcame an early 10-7 deficit by scoring 34 consecutive points, including 21 in the second quarter. The victory improved Manti's record to 2-7 overall and 1-4 in region competition.

Taulapapa led Manti's offense with three rushing touchdowns and one receiving score. The sophomore carried the ball 19 times for 125 yards and caught five passes for another 56 yards.

Quarterback Kingston Wright completed 16 of 31 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns. Wright also contributed 33 rushing yards.

Manti opened the scoring when Wright connected with Kooper Lund on an 11-yard touchdown pass. Tyler Steinfeldt converted the extra point, giving the Templars a 7-0 lead.

Carbon answered with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Kayden Dunn to Tayger Timothy, followed by Timothy's 25-yard field goal, putting the Dinos ahead 10-7.

Manti regained control in the second quarter when Taulapapa scored on a 25-yard run. Wright then connected with Taulapapa for a 24-yard touchdown pass with 33 seconds remaining before halftime.

Just 21 seconds later, Taulapapa scored again on a 7-yard run, giving Manti a 28-10 halftime advantage.

Taulapapa completed his four-touchdown performance with a 1-yard scoring run in the third quarter. Wright later connected with Hudson Crane for a 16-yard touchdown, extending Manti's lead to 41-10.

Carbon added a late touchdown on a 25-yard pass from Dunn to Brodee Collins, producing the 41-16 final score.

Manti finished with 409 yards of offense, including 239 passing and 170 rushing. Crane led the receivers with six catches for 73 yards, while Lund added three receptions for 58 yards. Austin Perry contributed two catches for 52 yards.

Defensively, Jacob Cox led Manti with nine tackles, including two tackles for loss. Will Olsen recorded seven tackles, while Hudson Crane intercepted a pass and Isaac Meacham recovered a fumble.

Steinfeldt converted all five extra-point attempts and recorded four touchbacks on seven kickoffs.

The victory marked Manti's first win since defeating Juan Diego 54-7 on Aug. 21 and its first home victory of the season.

The Templars will face Canyon View in their final scheduled regular-season game. The Falcons enter the matchup with a 6-3 overall record and a 2-3 region mark.