Wasps scoop up win from Templars
By James Tilson
Staff writer
Sept. 28, 2017
MANTI — On Friday, the Manti High School Templars hosted the Juab High Wasps for a conference contest marked by big plays and back-and-forth scoring. Despite a strong start and a late comeback attempt, the Templars fell to the Wasps by a score of 26-19.
The Templars struck first when Tanner Rasmussen scooped up a fumble by Macray Stevens near mid-field and ran it back for a touchdown, to make it 6-0. On their next possession, the Templars struck again with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Kyle King to Rasmussen to make the score 13-0.
In the second quarter, the Wasps scored as a result of a big play of their own. With the Templars deep in their own end of the field, the Wasps’ Dalton Ulibarri forced a fumble that the Wasps recovered on the Templar two yard line. On the next play, Alex White pushed it in to make the score 13-6.
In the second half, the Juab offense began to build steam. After trading possessions, the Wasps scored touchdowns on three straight possessions, keyed by the rushing of senior running backs Joey Aagard and Alex White. After those scores, the Wasps led by 26-13 with five minutes left in the game.
The Templars weren’t done yet, and inserted quarterback Kyle King—who had been injured in the off-season—to lead a come-back attempt. Taking over on their own 43-yard line, King took four plays to get the Templars in the end zone, throwing the scoring pass to the other Templar quarterback, Travis Thompson, to bring the score to 26-19.
After the kick-off, the Templars had about two minutes to stop the Wasps and get the ball back. However, the Wasps gave the ball to Alex White again to gain two crucial first downs and allow them to run out the clock and preserve the win.
Thompson finished the night two for five, with 44 yards, and two interceptions. King had four for eight, with75 yards and two touchdowns. Lance Fowles was the leading rusher for the Templars, with 49 yards on 18 carries.
Tomorrow the 2-4 Templars travel to Draper to face the 5-1 Juan Diego Soaring Eagles at 7 p.m.
