Football Recap: Dynamic Duo of Tala Taulapapa and Stone Mortensen Lead Manti to Victory

For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Manti and Grantsville meet (three straight games heading into this one) and that held true again on Friday. The Templars enjoyed a cozy 23-7 victory over the Cowboys. For the Templars, this counts as revenge for the 28-20 win the Cowboys walked away with the last time they faced one another back in August of 2024.

Leading Manti to victory were Stone Mortensen and Tala Taulapapa. Mortensen picked up 137 receiving yards and one touchdown, while Taulapapa gained 154 total yards. Mortensen was no stranger to the big play, connecting on a big catch that went for 51 yards.

Manti didn't let much get past them through the air: they limited Grantsville to a completion percentage of just 43.8%. That dominant aerial defense primarily came from two players: Ty Pringle and Trever Christensen, who each logged one passes deflected. Manti wasn't nearly as limited: they posted one of 66.7%.

Manti's defense didn't let Dallan Van Vliet., get away unscathed either: they got into the backfield for three sacks. Mac Olsen refused to say out of the backfield, picking up 1.5 sacks all by himself. Manti got some further help from Olsen: he picked up 1.5 sacks and made six total tackles (4.0 for loss).

Templars

Previous 5 Games

08/29/25 @ Grantsville	23-7
08/22/25 vs Juan Diego Catholic	65-7
08/15/25 @ Pine View	45-51
11/08/24 @ Morgan	28-42
11/01/24 vs Juab	28-0

Manti's victory ended a four-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 2-1. As for Grantsville, they now have a losing record of 1-2.

Manti wasted no time getting back out on the field and has already played their next match, a 52-19 win against Juab on the 5th. As for Grantsville, they have also already played their next game, a 13-12 victory against Hurricane on the 5th.