Football Recap: Carter Mason's Menacing Defense Leads Manti over San Juan

Tala Taulapapa

Rushing Yards

09/26/25 vs San Juan	225
09/19/25 vs Richfield	32
09/12/25 @ Cedar	110
09/05/25 vs Juab	130
08/29/25 @ Grantsville	51
+ 2 more games

San Juan came into Friday's matchup looking for another win against Manti, but Tala Taulapapa wouldn't allow it. The Templars came out on top against the Broncos by a score of 38-28 on Friday thanks in part to Taulapapa, who rushed for 225 yards and a pair of scores while picking up 8.3 yards per carry, and also picked up 32 receiving yards and one TD. With that strong performance, he is now averaging an impressive 103.7 rushing yards per game.

Carter Mason was another key player, throwing for 186 yards and three touchdowns. He is becoming a predictor of Manti's success: when he posts at least three passing touchdowns the team is 3-1 (and 1-2 when he doesn't).

Manti didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. It was truly a group effort as Mason, Stone Mortensen, and Isaiah Wright picked up one apiece.

Despite the loss, San Juan still got an impressive performance from Jagger Nieves, who rushed for 182 yards and a pair of scores, and also picked up 45 receiving yards. What's more, he's the game marked his ninth straight with at least 108 dating back to last season. Another player making a difference was Tripp Palmer, who picked up 117 receiving yards and one TD.

Manti now has a winning record of 4-3. As for San Juan, the defeat snapped their winning streak at four games and leaves them with a 5-2 record.

Manti wasted no time getting back out on the field and has already played their next contest, a 35-14 win against North Sanpete on the 3rd. As for San Juan, they have also already played their next matchup, an 81-6 victory against Grand County on the 3rd.