Looking to bounce back following a 49-17 loss to Emery, the Carbon Dinos took the field on Friday, Sept. 20, to take on the Manti Templars in a region showdown. Unfortunately, the Dinos would be unable to get back on track as they fell 61-0 to the Templars.

Electing to receive the opening kickoff, Manti would get to work quickly, working methodically down the field. The drive was capped off when senior quarterback Maison Starkweather connected with junior receiver Carter Mason a two-yard pass into the end zone. A successful kick made it 7-0 Templars.

Forcing a quick three-and-out from the Dinos, Manti would set themselves up near the 50-yard line. Another quick drive would result in points on the board for the Templars, with Starkweather connecting with junior wide receiver Stone Mortenson on a seven-yard slant to the corner of the end zone. Carbon’s special teams unit would stand strong and force a miss on the ensuing extra-point attempt holding the Manti lead to 13-0.

The Templar’s defense would again stand strong and force a punt from the Dinos. Manti would make quick work of the Carbon Defense with Starkweather again hitting Mason in stride for a 37-yard touchdown. Opting to go for the two-point conversion, the Templars would convert and bring their advantage to 21-0.

Manti would score once more before the end of the first quarter, and again the Starkweather to Mason connection would be on full display. The scoring this time came in the form of a 10-yard dime with Mason rotating midair to come down with the ball. The Dinos Defense would again stand tall and stuff the PAT, making it 27-0.

Another possession meant another score for the Templars. Instead of the usual air attack, this touchdown came when junior running back Tala Taulapapa broke away for a 10-yard dash into the end zone. Another missed kick meant Manti would have to settle for only six and a 33-0 lead.

Like Stockton to Malone, Starkweather and Mason would work together to secure another touchdown for the Templars. This time came when Starkweather spotted Mason on a go route and delivered a bomb into the waiting arms of the receiver. Carbon would stuff another two-point attempt keeping Manti’s advantage to 39-0.

Starkweather would diversify his passing base when with two and a half minutes left in the first half, the senior would find fellow senior Trever Fowls, for a 31-yard touchdown through the air. Manti would break their streak of poor extra-point performance and convert their two-point attempt to take the 47-0 lead.

Carbon would start to move the ball, a crusade aided by a roughing the kicker penalty on fourth down which gave the Dinos a fresh set of downs. But disaster struck when a snap soared over senior quarterback Stockton Kennedy’s head and was scooped up by senior defensive lineman Colby Simons and taken into the end zone for another Manti touchdown. The point-after was good and going into the half it was 54-0 in favor of the Templars.

Manti would score one more time in the game, coming with 4:56 left in the third quarter when Starkweather would end his dominant day by connecting with Mortenson on a 38-yard dime in the end zone. The Templars would again succeed on the PAT creating an insurmountable 61-0 lead.

With the loss, Carbon moves to 3-3 on the season and 0-1 in region play. The next opportunity for the Dinos comes on Friday, Sept. 27 when the defending state champion Richfield Wildcats come to town. That game can be streamed on KRPX 95.3 the Peak or the Castle Country Radio app. Pregame starts at 6:30 p.m. and kickoff will be at 7 p.m.