High school football 2A preview: San Juan vs. Manti

San Juan (10-0) vs. Manti (9-1)

2A state tournament semifinal

At Southern Utah University

Saturday, 2 p.m.

Parry's Power Guide: San Juan by 6.5 points

All-time series: San Juan leads 11-4

Coach vs. Coach: San Juan's Monty Lee and Manti's Cole Meacham tied 1-1.

Last meeting: 2A semifinals, Nov. 5, 2005 — San Juan 23, Manti 14

With a combined 19-1 record, it's no secret that Manti and San Juan have been two of the best team's 2A all year. When they meet at Southern Utah University this Saturday at 2 p.m., it has all the makings of a scintillating semifinal game.

Both teams average over 30 points offensively, but the winner will likely be the one that gets it done defensively. That edge may go to San Juan. The Broncos sport a glossy 10-0 record heading into the semifinals, and they've only surrendered more than seven points three times this year. They're coming off a 33-0 win over Richfield in the quarterfinals.

"They have a lot of speed on defense," Manti coach Cole Meacham said. "I'd heard that and read that, and looking at film it's true."

The Broncos' tremendous closing speed is led by linebackers Stetler Shumway and Peyton Black, and Meacham said his team will have to mix things up offensively to try and move the ball.

He's confident though, especially after last weekend's 34-10 victory over Millard in the quarterfinals.

"I think last week we played really, really well. I think the week off did us a lot of good," Meacham said.

Despite both team's penchant for scoring a lot of points, little things like turnovers and field position could be the determining factor in the outcome.

"I don't think we can go out and shut them down, but if we can force them into long drives, force them to move the ball 60, 70, 80 yards, we'll have a chance," said Meacham.

In Manti's only loss this year, a 42-27 setback to Juab, star quarterback Griffin Aste was picked off twice, including one returned 60 yards for a touchdown. Aste will need to protect the football much better against a San Juan defense that's made plays all season.

San Juan statistical breakdown

Scoring offense: 32.2 ppg