Mustangs to host Wolves

The Malta Mustangs will have a chance to add another win to their 1-0 conference record as the team looks to defend Mustang field against the Wolf Point Wolves on Friday, October 7, after a two game road trip. The Mustangs dropped their game last Saturday, October 1 against Bigfork as the Vikings overwhelmed Malta 49-21.

Wolf Point’s first conference win was a 52-6 victory over the Poplar Indians on Friday, September 16. The Wolves also dismantled the Harlem Wildcats 40-6 on Friday, September 23. The Wolves did fall last Friday, September 30, to the Glasgow Scotties who thrashed the Wolves 46-0.

The win against Wolf Point can put Malta in a better position to make it into the post-season for their third consecutive year. Just because things have gone well for the Mustangs in this 2B rivalry against the Wolves doesn’t mean Malta Head Coach Nick Oxarart will take Wolf Point lightly. He expects sound football from his young team.

“Our defense has to step up and stop a solid rushing attack,” Coach Oxarart said. “We need to be more physical because Wolf Point's offensive line averages 309 lbs. We need to play with great intensity since we will be undersized against them.”

In Malta’s tough 49-21 loss to Bigfork, Malta was able to go into halftime with a 21-20 lead over the Vikings, but the offense eventually overcame the Mustangs.

“We made too many mistakes against a good football team and Bigfork was able to capitalize on them,” Coach Oxarart said. “We missed a lot of tackles as well. Our defense didn't do a good job of stopping Bigfork on 3rd and long. Our defense gave up too many rushing yards to have success.”

The team did have some positive in the loss, including a solid run game, complimented by a good passing game.

“Our offense did a great job moving the ball,” Coach Oxarart said. “Our offensive line was able to create some running lanes and gave our quarterback some time to throw the ball too.”

The Mustangs had their first pick six of the season thanks to a great effort by Andres Lopez who read a throw underneath and took it back 27 yards to tie the game in the first quarter.

“Andres stepped under a receiver that was trying to come underneath our linebackers and their quarterback never saw him,” Coach Oxarart said. “He then utilized his speed to go 27 yards for the score.”

The Mustangs also scored a pair of rushing touchdowns on the goal line in the first half. Both runs were by Trace Simonson.

The team’s game against Wolf Point is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Punt, Pass and Kick award winners will be given awards at halftime.