Note: Manti finished with a 7-5 overall record in 2014 and was second in the 3A South region with a 4-1 record. It lost to Judge 35-21 in the 3A semifinals.
MANTI — The Manti Templars football team is going through some changes.
While it returns many players at skill positions, a significant benefit for the team that lost in the 3A semifinals last season, Manti must now adjust to graduating the majority of its linemen.
In fact, of the six returning starters on the offensive side of the ball, only one of them started on the line last fall.
“Only one starter from our offensive line is back,” said Manti head coach Cole Meacham, “so we moved various kids from tight ends, from running backs that have a shot to play on the offensive line.”
One of those kids is senior Douglas Schiess. A solid tight end a year ago, Schiess will likely move to offensive guard this fall, similar to Thomas McFarlane and Jack Gillett, two more likely flex players.
“He could be playing receiver or offensive tackle right now,” Meacham said of Gillet. “We’re just trying to see where they fit in and where we have the biggest need.”
McFarlane was listed as a tight end on the 2014 roster but has been moved to offensive tackle and defensive end, and “he has a good shot to start both ways,” Meacham said.
“They looked OK during camp,” Meacham said of his group of new linemen. “I think they’ve still got a lot to learn about their positions, but I think they’re willing to learn.”
The new players and players in new positions will lean on the experience and leadership of the returners. Those individuals include senior quarterback Derek Wright, who is back to direct the team, and senior Stuart Lott, who had 232 receiving yards and 198 rushing yards a year ago.
“One of the others that’s going to be an impact guy is Kayden Stevenson,” Meacham said of his senior running back and linebacker. “He was stuck behind a really good kid last year so he played JV. He has pretty good speed.”
In addition, seniors Braxton Good and Jordan Howe as well as junior Mac Stevens return as running backs and wide receivers to help Wright move the ball down the field.
Just like the offense, the Templars’ defense also returns six starters. Good and Wright return to anchor the secondary and Lott, who rotated in last season, will take on additional responsibility.
Howe is back as a starting outside linebacker, Schiess returns at defensive end, and senior Ben Tiatia is back at defensive tackle.
McFarlane will join the D at defensive end, Stevenson will likely start at linebacker, and senior Brant Stevens will play either outside linebacker or safety.
“We’re kind of moving him around at both spots,” Meacham said of Stevens.
“They did a pretty good job,” Meacham said of the defensive core, “and they’ve worked real hard in the offseason.”
In general, the Templars, which allowed the second-fewest points in 3A South region play a year ago with 96, are pleased with the experience they return. Meacham and his squad are confident that, given time and patience for his players to assimilate into their new roles, Manti will catch its stride by league play.
“With the type of team we have, our kids have got to be willing to accept their roles, and so far they have been,” Meacham said of how he thinks his team will adjust to the changes. “I think the biggest thing is that they’re great athletes and they enjoy playing. They have fun playing together.”
Manti Templars at a glance
Head Coach: Cole Meacham is entering his 16th season as Manti’s head coach. He’s amassed a 117-50 record and led Manti to 2A state titles in 2003, 2011 and 2012. He’s a graduate of Richfield High School.
Offense (6 returning starters; Fly offense)
Offensive coordinator: Dave Stevens (10 years as assistant)
Returning offensive starters
Douglas Schiess (OL)
Derek Wright (QB)
Mac Stevens (RB)
Stuart Lott (RB)
Braxton Good (RB)
Jordan Howe (TE/WR)
Offensive newcomers to watch
Kayden Stevenson (RB)
Thomas McFarlane (OL)
Tyler Squire (RB)
Jack Gillet (WR/OL)
Defense (6 returning starters, 4-4 defense)
Defensive coordinator: Cole Meacham
Returning defensive starters
Braxton Good (DB)
Derek Wright (DB)
Jordan Howe (OL)
Douglas Schiess (DE)
Ben Tiatia (DT)
Defensive newcomers to watch
Stuart Lott (DB)
Thomas McFarlane (DL)
Mac Stevens (LB)
Brant Stevens (OL/S)
Coaches preseason 3A South straw poll: Second
Deseret News 3A South prediction: First
Bottom line: Two years in a row, Manti has gone deep into the state tournament only to suffer a season-ending loss at the hands of Judge. In 2013, it was in the 3A title game and last year it was in the semifinals. This season, the Templars are balancing experience at skill positions with inexperience on the line — on both sides of the ball. While Wright is in his second year as the starting QB, many of his teammates are either new starters or are new to their positions on the field. Meacham is emphasizing to his team the importance of playing together, getting comfortable and improving throughout the summer and preseason games so the Templars are hitting their stride just as the region portion of the schedule comes up.
Last 5
2014 — 7-5 (4-1 in 3A South – 3A Semifinals)
2013 — 10-3 (5-0 in 3A South – 3A Runner-up)
2012 — 11-1 (7-0 in 2A North – 2A Champions)
2011 — 11-1 (7-0 in 2A North – 2A Champions)
2010 — 5-6 (2-3 in Region 12 – 3A First round)
Manti coaching history
2000-current — Cole Meacham (117-50)
1992-1999 — Brennan Jackson (50-33)
1988-1991 — Bill Sullivan (13-24)
1985-1987 — Robert Gent (16-13)
1982-1984 — Cliff Hughes (1-24)
1980-1981 — Dewey Brundage (3-15)
1977-1979 — Ken Van Tasell (5-23)
1976 — Phil Hall (2-8)
1972-1975 — Russ Felt (17-18)
1971 — David Jensen (3-7)
1969-1970 — Bill Brown (7-11)
Deseret News MVPs the past 10 years
2012 — Austin Jackson, RB/LB
2011 — Aaron Austad, DL
Deseret News First Team all-staters the past 10 years
2014 — Keltn Pritchard, OL
2014 — Douglas Schiess, DL
2014 — Trystan Daniels, LB
2013 — Kamren Fowles, RB
2013 — Connor Aste, QB
2013 — Tristan Olsen, OL
2013 — Jared Schiess, DL
2012 — Zane Stevens, RB/LB
2012 — Jamen Miller, RB/DB
2012 — Koleton Moon, OL/DL
2012 — Carlo Garcia, K
2011 — Brady Aste, QB/DB
2011 — Austin Jackson, RB/LB
2011 — Landon Carter, OL/DL
2011 — Chris Lauti, OL/DL
2008 — Griffin Aste, QB/DL
2008 — Nick Brown, WR/DB
2008 — Seth Gergetz, OL/DL
2008 — Mathew Olson, RB/LB
2008 — Chase Stevens, RB/LB
2007 — Saula Taufa, OL/DL
2005 — Brandon Puett, TE/LB
2005 — Tim Dalene, TE/DE
2005 — Russell Petersen, OL/DL
2005 — Jace Moore, RB/LB
To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.
Sarah Thomas earned a degree in Mathematics from the University of Utah and is currently pursuing an MBA at Westminster College. She has been covering sports for the Deseret News since 2008.