In the 3A semifinals, big plays lead to the Trojans 42-28 win over Manti

In a game the Morgan Trojans football team had to have Friday Nov. 8, they got it in a 42-28 win over Manti at Zions Bank Stadium. 

“We are thankful for the opportunity to play another week of football,” said Morgan head coach Jared Barlow after the 3A semifinal victory. “Manti is a great team and were very well prepared.” 

Time after time, the Trojans benefited from big plays against Manti. 

Late in the third quarter with the score tied 28-28, the offense was clicking. Senior quarterback Beck Sheffield rolled to his left and found big Ben Russell for a 23-yard pass inside Manti territory. 

From there, senior running back Drew Korth carried the ball four times in a row before Lincoln Gilson took two consecutive handoffs, the last from three yards out, to give Morgan a 35-28 lead. 

On Manti’s next possession, the Templars threw the ball into the end zone, hoping for six – twice. 

But, junior Jake Hansen high pointed the first throw, batting it down. Following several chunk plays for short gains by Manti, the Trojans ferocious defense forced offensive penalties. From the Morgan 22-yard line, senior co-captain Miller Beardall made a leaping interception for the Trojans, who fumbled the ball right back to Manti. 

Three plays later, Manti hurtled the ball down the sideline toward that same end zone that Hansen again high pointed, this time for an interception that was twice as nice for the Trojans. 

Over the final 14 minutes, the Trojans handed the ball to Korth, their workhorse, another eight times for a total of 28 as they chewed up the clock. On a 125-yard day on the ground for the senior, the Trojans leaned on their running game to slam the door on any comeback bid that Manti may have had. 

As the fourth quarter got underway, Korth and Gilson shared the bulk of the carries on the final scoring drive Morgan needed. Gilson grabbed the ball and on his second try, bulled across the goal line for a 42-28 Trojan lead with 10:01 left to play in this 3A semifinal. 

If not for those big chunk plays on offense and the pivotal interceptions that each led to second half points for Morgan, it may have been a tighter ballgame. 

“Our team came together, fought through some adversity and did what it took to play one more week,” said Coach Barlow. 

In the first half, Morgan [12-0] took an entire quarter and some change to score. It finally cashed in with a 4-yard TD pass from Sheffield to senior Boston Zack with 10:55 left before halftime. 

On the ensuing drive, the Trojans recovered a fumble caused by senior Abram Anderton’s helmet at the Manti 30. That led to a 1-yard plunge from Korth, three plays later. Manti answered back twice in the quarter, but another TD run from Korth and a 16-yard TD scamper from Sheffield gave the Trojans a slim 28-21 lead they would not relinquish the rest of the way. 

For Morgan, Gilson had 150 yards receiving and 40 yards rushing. Sheffield had 292 yards passing on 18 completions and a passing TD. He connected with junior Jack Hurd six times for 35 yards, while Russell had four receptions for 81 yards. 

On defense, junior Jace Nye led Morgan with 10 tackles while senior Carter Meibos collected eight –two resulting in losses. Four Trojan players combined for five sacks in a must-win game for Morgan, who now advances to play Richfield in the 3A championship game at SUU this Saturday. 

“Richfield hasn’t lost a game in two years, so we will have our work cut out for us,” said Coach Barlow. “They are physical and know how to win, but we are grateful for the opportunity to go and compete against them.” λ