Note: Manti finished with a 5-5 overall record in 2015 and was third in the 3A South region with a 3-2 record. It lost to Morgan 28-14 in the 3A quarterfinals.
Manti 2015 offensive and defensive stats
MANTI — After 16 seasons under coach Cole Meacham and over 120 wins and three state titles, it is safe to say that the Manti Templars know who they are and what they are about as a football program. They run the recognizable fly offense with its focused rushing attack. They defend in an attack-heavy 4-4 scheme with well-concealed blitz packages. They win games and they go to the playoffs.
Entering the 2016 season, the Templars are once again considered contenders in the 3A South region as well as probable playoff participants despite returning only four starters on offense and three on defense.
“I expect my returning starters to have good years, but I expect all my players to step up and play,” said Meacham when asked which players might have breakout seasons. “I don’t like to single out individual kids. Football is a team sport and I need all my kids to step up.”
Meacham noted that the greatest strength of his football team, especially on the offensive side of the ball, is their unity. “I think these guys will play really well together,” said Meacham. “These kids have all been really supportive of one another. We have a first-year quarterback who will be our starter this season (Marshall Dotson) who has never played the position before, and our guys have been very supportive of him.”
Dotson played almost exclusively at defensive back last season, and in the process racked up 25 tackles and two sacks. He did have a few opportunities to carry the ball on offense in 2015 and picked up 6 yards on five carries.
“He’s had some growing pains but he has been willing to learn,” Meacham said of his quarterback. “When he has made mistakes he has owned them, and our guys have been really supportive of him.”
The Templars will also look to running back Mac Stevens on offense. Stevens ran for a team-high 550 yards and seven touchdowns last season and chipped 250 yards receiving.
“We can’t just rely on Mac, not in our offense. Our run game has to come together. We will throw the ball enough to keep defenses honest but teams will try to stop our rushing attack, so we need guys to step up,” said Meacham.
Among those who will run the ball for the Templars are senior Nate Lee (rushed for 21 yards last season) and juniors Tanner Rasmussen (9 yards), Lance Fowles (59 yards and one touchdown, and Kade Nicholes.
Manti brings back three starters on the offensive line, including Brenton Thompson, Michael Alder and Connor Meacham.
Defensively the Templars will rely on two returning starters on the defensive line. “Sam Tiatia (15 tackles) and Michael Alder (30 tackles and three sacks) are back for us and they are good players,” said Meacham.
Manti will look to Dotson and Lee (32 tackles) among others to lead the secondary. “Our secondary has as much depth as we have had in several years,” said Meacham. “We have at least five or six guys who can play. Every one of them can play multiple positions, whether it be safety and corner, or linebacker and safety, or linebacker and corner. We have a very balanced defense, and I think our depth will be a huge asset.”
Stevens (10 tackles, one sack and one interception) and Rasmussen (27 tackles) will be among those linebackers expected to be so versatile.
As far as internal expectations for the season, Meacham was clear that what he wants for his team is improvement each and every week. “The wins and losses will come, but if we can improve each week, then we will be where we want to be at the end of the year.”
Manti Templars at a glance
Head coach: Cole Meacham is about to begin his 17th season as the head football coach at Manti High School. He has amassed an impressive 122-55 record, which includes three 2A state titles (2003, 2011, 2012). Meacham is a graduate of Richfield High School.
Offense (4 returning starters; fly offense)
Offensive coordinator: Dave Stevens (entering 12th season as assistant)
Returning offensive starters
Mac Stevens (RB)
Mike Alder (OL)
Connor Meacham (OL)
Brenton Thompson (OL)
Offensive newcomers to watch
Marshall Dotson (QB)
Tanner Rasmussen (RB)
Lance Fowles (RB)
Kade Nicholes (RB)
Dylan Wathen (WR)
Cooper Parry (WR)
Cody Alder (OL)
Defense (3 returning starters; 4-4 defense)
Defensive coordinator: Cole Meacham
Returning defensive starters
Sam Tiatia (DL)
Mike Alder (DL)
Nate Lee (LB)
Defensive newcomers to watch
Tanner Rasmussen (LB)
Dylan Wathen (LB)
Cody Alder (LB)
Cooper Parry (LB)
Lance Fowles (LB)
Kade Nicholes (S)
Coaches' preseason 3A South straw poll: Third
Deseret News 3A South prediction: Second
Bottom line: The Templars have been as consistent as they come under coach Meacham. The offense returns three starters on the offensive line as well as the team’s leading rusher, Mac Stevens. A brand new quarterback in Marshall Dotson may cause some growing pains, but the Templars live and die with their rushing attack. Defensively, Manti has a balanced unit, and the most depth it has had in years, particularly in the secondary. As long as they can iron out any kinks in their rushing attack, the Templars will again contend for the top spot in the 3A South region, as well as for a playoff berth.
2016 schedule
Aug. 19 — at Carbon, 7 p.m.
Aug. 26 — JUAN DIEGO, 7 p.m.
Sept. 2 — PINE VIEW, 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 — at Emery, 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 — CANYON VIEW, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 — NORTH SANPETE, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30 — DELTA, 7 p.m.
Oct. 7 — at Richfield, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14 — at Juab, 7 p.m.
Felt's Facts for Manti High School
All-time record: 239-233 (48 years)
Region championships: 9 (1994, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005 co, 2009 co, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Playoff appearances: 30
Current playoff appearance streak: 19 (1997-2015)
All-time playoff record: 31-26
State championships: 4 (1999, 2003, 2011, 2012)
State championship record: 4-3
Most played rivalry: 47 meetings with Juab dating back to 1969. Juab leads 24-23.
Felt’s Factoid(s): Manti is the only team — high school or college — in the United States (or anywhere else) whose mascot is the Templar. … Carlo Garia holds the record for the longest field-goal — 54-yards — in a championship game. His kick gave the Templars a 16-13 win over San Juan in the 2012 Class 2A title contest.
Last 5
2015 — 5-5 (3-2 in 3A South — 3A quarterfinals)
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)
Manti coaching history
2000-current — Cole Meacham (122-55)
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
2015 — Douglas Schiess, DL
2015 — Jordan Howe, LB
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
To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.