Mustangs play Blue & White Scrimmage ahead of Friday tilt with Roundup

After months of uncertainty, the Malta Mustangs Football team was able to hold the Blue and White Scrimmage, marking their first event of the 2020 season.

"It has been a weird crazy year since the middle of March so it felt good to get the kids out competing against each other again," Mustangs Head Coach Nick Oxarart said. "It's definitely not quite like the first game against an opponent but it was good to get out on the game field and try to simulate a more game-like environment."

The event was held at Mustang Field this year to not only help protect the players but to maintain an environment where spectators could safely view the event; from behind the field.

Coach Oxarart said that the team really appreciated the presence of spectators, even though they were separated by the fence. The school announced last week that there will be spectators at home games this season.

"They play a little harder when fans are watching, so I can't imagine playing a whole season with no fans in the stands or surrounding the field," Coach Oxarart said.

As far as the scrimmage went, the Mustangs switched up things. Coach Oxarart mixed the teams up rather than having starters go against underclassmen, giving the Mustangs a chance to better prepare against live game situations. Young Mustangs experienced what it was like to try to tackle the hard running Rex Williamson and Cash Salsbery as well as the speedy Shawn Gilkerson.

In addition to a strong core of running back, Malta brings back starting quarterback Kooper Oxarart who threw accurate passes downfield at the scrimmage. Malta also welcomes back eight defensive starters who the team will rely on heavily, according to Coach Oxarart.

“I was happy with how our guys executed our plays,” Coach Oxarart said. “We have quite a few things to clean up this week in practice so we get prepared for Roundup. But overall, I’m very pleased with where we are as a team right now.”

The Mustangs are scheduled to face the Roundup Panthers this Friday, September 4, at 7 p.m. in Roundup.

Coach Oxarart said that the Panthers will bring back six offensive starters which include three offensive linemen. The Panthers also have six starters back from last season.

“Roundup lost some talented seniors, but they have a core group of guys that played a lot last year, so we will face some familiar faces,” Coach Oxarart said. “They have a new head coach this year, so I anticipate quite a few scheme changes from last year, so we will have to prepare for a little bit of everything rather than being able to scout them on film and know their strengths and weaknesses.”

Malta’s first home game is scheduled for week three. The team is scheduled to host Wolf Point for Malta High School’s Senior Night on Friday, September 18.