Templar offense is hot, but Grantsville gets the last word

MANTI—Manti’s offense produced one of its biggest statistical performances of the season Friday night, but the Templars still came up one point short against Grantsville at the very end of the game. A 38-yard Hail Mary touchdown by Grantsville as time expired sealed the deal for the Cowboys.

Manti totaled 471 yards of offense in a 47-46 loss to the Cowboys, with quarterback Kingston Wright accounting for nearly all of the production through the air.

Wright completed 22 of 37 passes for 466 yards and five touchdowns while throwing one interception. He averaged 12.6 yards per attempt and also added a rushing touchdown.

The senior quarterback connected with Trever Christensen for three touchdowns, including scoring strikes of 15, 85 and 80 yards. Christensen finished with seven receptions for 245 yards, averaging 35 yards per catch.

Hudson Crane also provided a major contribution through the air, catching a 72-yard touchdown pass from Wright. Isaiah Wright added a 25-yard touchdown reception that gave the Templars a 46-40 lead with 9:20 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Manti’s passing attack accounted for 466 of the team’s 471 yards, leaving just 5 yards on the ground. Sam Thomson led the Templars’ rushing effort with nine carries for 20 yards. Isaiah Wright scored Manti’s lone rushing touchdown on a 2-yard run late in the first quarter.

The Templars started quickly, building a 17-7 lead after one quarter. Wright’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Christensen opened Manti’s scoring, followed by Tyler Steinfeldt’s 42-yard field goal and Isaiah Wright’s 2-yard touchdown run.

Manti added two more touchdowns through the air in the second quarter. Wright found Crane for 72 yards and Christensen for 85 yards as the Templars entered halftime trailing 34-31.

Christensen completed his three-touchdown night with an 80-yard reception midway through the third quarter, putting Manti ahead 38-34.

The Templars regained the lead in the fourth quarter when Wright connected with Isaiah Wright for 25 yards and a touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion. Steinfeldt was perfect on five extra-point attempts and added the 42-yard field goal.

Manti’s defense also recorded two interceptions, with Christensen and Crane each picking off a Grantsville pass.

The stats show Manti’s second-highest offensive output of the season. The Templars had 553 total yards in their Aug. 14 loss to Pine View.

Manti, now 1-2 (0-0), will open 3A South play Friday at Juab County (2-1, 0-0) in Nephi. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.