Mustangs blow out Wildcats

The Malta Mustangs Football team shut out the Harlem Wildcats 76-0 on Friday, October 4, in Malta, as Malta High School celebrated it's Homecoming night.

"The key to our win over Harlem was execution," Malta Mustangs Head Coach Nick Oxarart told the PCN. "We were able to score in many different phases of the game (offense, defense, and special teams). We were able to get a lot of different guys involved in the win over Harlem. We played well as a team."

The Mustangs are slated to travel to Glasgow to face the Scotties this Friday, October 11, in a game that could be the most important for the year.

"Glasgow is a very solid football team," Coach Oxarart said. "They are well coached and have a bunch of good athletes. They have a phenomenal quarterback that executes their offense real well. They have a solid pass and run game. Their offensive line is big and physical. They have a lot of different athletes they use at the running back and wide receiver positions. They have a lot of different weapons they can use."

Complementing their offense is a formidable defense that is every bit as stifling as the Mustang defense.

"Their defense doesn't give up very many points," Coach Oxarart said. "They will be tough to move the ball against. We will have to have a good week of practice and play mistake-free football in order to give us a chance on Friday night in Glasgow."

Both teams are undefeated and vying for a favorable position in the playoffs. This year's State football Tournament will feature four teams from each conference in Class B. The top two teams in each conference will host a first round playoff game.

In last Friday's win over Harlem, Malta was led by junior quarterback Kooper Oxarart, who was four-for-six for 78 yards and three touchdowns.

Malta's rushing attack featured attempts by seven running backs who amassed a total of 179 yards and six touchdowns on 17 attempts. Tanner Smith had four rushes for 23 yards and two touchdowns. Camryn Mears had one rush for a 55-yard touchdown. Rex Williamson had two rushes for 40 yards.

The Mustang defense only allowed a total of 34 yards. Though Harlem had 29 rushing attempts, they were held to negative 20 yards. The Wildcats were 8-of-20 for 54 passing yards and two interceptions.

Scoring Summary:

1st Quarter: Rex Williamson 46 yard punt return (kick failed) 7:52 6-0

Cash Salsbery 5 yard run (kick failed) 4:41 12-0

Williamson 18 yard pass from Kooper Oxarart (Williamson kick) 19-0

2nd Quarter: Tanner Smith 3 yard run (kick failed) 11:45 25-0

Callan Mears 18 yard pass from Oxarart (kick failed) 10:03 31-0

Jeramiah Benson 25 yard pass from Oxarart (Pierce Mortenson kick) 8:17 38-0

Mortenson 50 yard fumble return (Mortenson kick) 5:05 45-0

Smith 9 yard run (kick failed) 1:00 51-0

3rd Quarter: Zach Welch 3 yard run (kick failed) 7:10 57-0

Camryn Mears 69 yard interception (kick failed) 1:26 63-0

4th Quarter: Camryn Mears 55 yard run (kick failed) 69-0

Juliun Benson 8 yard run (Mortenson kick) 76-0