Mustangs look to improve in 2015 season

The Malta Mustangs surpassed all expectations last season in Head Coach Nick Oxarart's first season. The team not only made it to the post-season, the young Mustangs defeated the Roundup Panthers 20-17 in the first round. They would then lose in the quarterfinals to Bigfork ending the season with a 6-4 record.

Though the team has lost four starting seniors, including RB/LB Quintan Boos, LB/WR Collin Holman, DB/WR Tyler Ost and OL/DL Cole Brown to graduation, the team boasts plenty of returning talent this season.

"Losing four seniors, we bring back seven and eight guys on both sides of the football," Mustangs Head Coach Nick Oxarart said. "We bring back a lot of experience, which we will need because we will be smaller than most teams, so we need to rely on our experience."

The team has been busy this past summer and the last few weeks fine-tuning plays both old and new.

"The first week of practice we put in a lot of plays and formations," Coach Nick Oxarart said, noting that the second week of practice has been good for repetition of those plays.

In his second year of coaching, Coach Oxarart has been able to expand on the playbook he used in his first season.

"We've added a few things to our running game and passing game," he said. "We were able to test some of that out in Fairfield. We saw what worked and what didn't work."

Amongst the returning starters are third year starting quarterback senior Jase Galt, who improved on his accuracy and precision last season as many of his throws down field were completed for long yardage.

"He had a great summer and he has made some nice throws," Coach Oxarart said. "He's seeing the field really well and he's got that senior level presence that you can't train."

Galt will see double duty at cornerback as well.

Senior Allen Williamson has been explosive in his past few years with Malta, this season he will be the team's primary running back. Williamson won't be alone in the backfield, giving him a chance to branch out and play some wide receiver. He will also start at strong safety on defense.

Other running backs to look for will be junior Cru Darrah, sophomore Trace Simonson and junior Kolbe Murray.

According to Coach Oxarart, having a stable of running backs will lighten and spread the load this season.

Those running backs will see double duty as linebackers as well.

At wide-receiver Tyson Carney had the most reliable hands last season. Ostin Welch will also see time at wide-receiver, due to a great showing at the position this summer.

"They run sharp routes, have really good hands and are physical blocking on the perimeter," Coach Oxarart said.

Welch will see double-duty playing free safety on defense.

Carney will retain his spot at cornerback, a position in which he has been phenomenal since starting for the team. He has led Malta in interceptions for the last two seasons.

Senior Channing Mavencamp will start at center and will play on the defensive line.

All-State athlete senior Antonio Lopez will play guard and will start at middle linebacker, a position he has shined in for the past two seasons.

Senior Kalen Weibe will play guard, while junior Cody Werk will play offensive and defensive tackle.

Seniors Chase Murray and Payton Meeks will also see time at the right tackle position.

"Our lineman have gotten bigger over the summer, are filling out and are physical and that's what we need," Coach Oxarart said. "We're still going to be a lot smaller than a lot of teams but hopefully our speed and physicality will be an equalizer."

All-Conference Jordan Pierce was impressive at tight end and defensive end last season. He will retain both positions again this season as a senior.

After coming home from camp in Fairfield the team was able to "tweak" a few things before the start of practices.

Last season many players were hurting going into the season, but this year the team is entering their first game extremely healthy.

According to Coach Oxarart there was only one concussion injury during practice so far.

"That's just the physicality of the sport," he said. "It's a risk that we all have to live with. We're trying to make the game safer but when you're hitting people, you can't take it all out of the game."

Malta will be facing Huntley Project, a team that destroyed Roundup 51-0 last Friday.

Malta has yet to play a game and their Blue and White scrimmage was cancelled due to smoke from fires burning in Western Montana and Washington.

This puts Malta at a huge disadvantage on Friday. Malta fared well against The Red Devils in the first game of 2014, but they ultimately lost 19-7.

"We're excited to play Huntley because they have 16 seniors and return quite a few starters," Coach Oxarart said.