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Pleasant Grove • Behind the leg of kicker Carlo Garcia, the Manti Templars advanced to the Class 2A state title game by defeating South Summit 6-0.

Two field goals were all the Templars needed on a cold Saturday. Garcia connected from 21 yards and 22 yards, both in the second quarter, to give Manti its first trip to the state championship game since 2008.

"I really didn't think the game would come down to kicking," said Garcia, who missed attempts of 53 and 47 yards. "We have a great offense and don't usually need field goals."

Manti's offense has been strong all season. Entering the game, the team averaged 31 points per game and hadn't scored fewer than 17 points since getting eliminated from the Class 3A playoffs last season. Despite the low score, Manti coach Cole Meacham is just happy to have a game next week.

"I figured it would be a low-scoring game because of the weather," said Meacham. "It was a real team effort and I'm just proud of Garcia."

After a Manti punt, South Summit, last year's state runner-up, got the ball with less than five minutes in the fourth quarter and a chance for a game-winning drive. Those hopes were dashed when Wildcat quarterback Matt Rydalch's third-down pass was broken up by Templar linebacker Levi Cragun. South Summit was forced to punt, and the Templars ran out the clock.

Eight players rushed the ball for Manti, led by quarterback Brady Aste, who finished with 75 yards on the ground.

"We ask Brady to do a lot of things, and everyone accepts that," said Meacham. "Today he was able to use his feet to get us in position to kick the ball."

Manti, which is undefeated against Class 2A competition this season, will look to earn its first football state championship since 2003 next Saturday against Millard. —

Highlights

R Manti defeated South Summit for the second time this season. With the 6-0 victory, the Templars move on to next week's Class 2A championship game.

• Manti kicker Carlo Garcia hit field goals of 21 and 22 yards to give the Templars all the points they would need.

• Eight Templars rushed the ball for a total of 218 yards.