Templars rumble to 42-0 shutout to begin season against Carbon Dinos
Bob Bahlmann
Staff writer
8-25-2016
PRICE—The Manti Templars, ranked fourth in 3A, opened their 2016 football season on the road by dominating the Carbon Dinos, 42-0.
“I thought we played really really good for a first game,” coach Cole Meacham said.
Although the Templars’ first drive stalled near midfield, the defense turned the momentum by forcing a Dino turnover, which was recovered by Tanner Rasmussen.
Manti capitalized on the take-away and capped off their first scoring drive of the year with a 9-yard touchdown run by Mac Stevens.
The Templar defense came through again on the next Carbon possession. Rasmussen stepped in front of a Carbon receiver for an interception, which he returned 64 yards for a pick-six to give Manti a 14-0 lead after one quarter of play.
Nate Lee scored next for the Templars on a 3-yard run. Then another fumble recovery by Rasmussen set up a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Marshal Dotson to Stevens.
The third quarter was scoreless, but the Templars added two more TDs in the fourth. Austin Robinson ran one in from 5 yards out and then Stevens capped it off with a 15-yard TD run.
Ivan Garcia was perfect on six PAT kick attempts during the game.
Defensively the Templars only gave up 81 total yards, forced three turnovers, and held the Dinos scoreless.
Michael Alder led Manti with 10 tackles, Sam Tiatia had eight, and Cooper Parry had seven. Robinson, Dotson and Lance Fowles had five each.
On offense, Dotson completed two passes, both to Stevens, for 38 yards.
Manti mixed it up in the backfield with seven different players carrying the ball. Stevens led the team with 139 yards on 16 carries. Fowles rushed nine times for 61 yards, while Lee had four touches for 34 yards. Kaden Kirkman, Dotson and Robinson each rushed three times for 26, 15 and 13 yards respectively. Cort Olson had nine yards.
“All the guys ran the ball well,” said Meacham.
The game against Carbon was arguably the easiest matchup the Templars will face in the pre-season. This week the Templars will be hosting the top-ranked team in 3A football when Juan Diego comes to town.
“We know we’ve got to get tuned up for the next two weeks,” said Meacham. “We’ve got to control their running game but keep the defense balanced.”
The Templars will also be working on improving their blocking on offense and executing better on special teams.
The Juan Diego Soaring Eagle held a 19-16 lead over 5A West Jordan at the half last Friday before being outscored 16-6 in the fourth quarter to lose 32-25.
Last year Juan Diego shut out the Templars 28-0 and went on to beat Morgan in the 3A state championship game.
