MANTI – Jacob Mpungi, making his first start at running back, rushed for 195 yards and Hudson Reed caught a 76-yard TD pass as the Pine View Panthers grabbed their third straight win to open the 2016 season with a 24-7 victory at Manti Friday night.
Aside from the opening score, the night belonged to Pine View. After giving up a touchdown late in the first quarter, the Pine View defense would shut out the Templars the rest of the evening.
Meanwhile the Panther offense rattled off 24 straight points, with Mpungi carrying 17 times in the game, averaging better than 11 yards per carry. He had a 90-yard TD run and also a 23-yard TD catch in his first-ever start.
Mpungi scored the first touchdown for Pine View on that long run with eight minutes remaining in the second quarter. The teams headed to the locker room tied at 7-7.
In the third quarter, PV quarterback Ryan Javines hooked up with Mpungi for his second touchdown from 23-yards out. Midway through the third, the Panthers had their first lead 14-7.
In the fourth quarter, Pine View added 10 insurance points. The first three came on a Connor Brooksby field goal from 32 yards. Javines got his second touchdown pass of the night with just over five minutes remaining on a 76-yard catch and run by Reed.
Pine View nearly doubled the Templars’ yardage output 433-224. The Panthers were a yard shy of 300 on the ground while Javines threw for 134 yards through the air. Mpungi played most of the game at running back with starter Kawika Santiago out with a knee injury.
The Panthers, 3-0, finish the preseason with a game at Cyprus next Friday before opening region with a home game against the Dixie Flyers.
Stats: pvman9216
For more stats, quotes and insight from the game, see the Saturday Breakdown Saturday morning on St. George News.
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