Malta preps for Game of the Year

The Malta Mustangs Football team was given yet another bye week due to a game cancellation by the Harlem Wildcats.

The cancellation came after the amount of active COVID-19 cases in Blaine County went over 50.

Though the Mustangs are 3-0, the Glasgow Scotties are also undefeated at 6-0.

"The game this week with the Scotties is a big one," Coach Nick Oxarart said. "The winner of this game will have a chance to win the North division."

Glasgow's wins have not been by a close margin this season. The team's highest deficit came against Harlem as the Scotties blew the Wildcats out 64-8. The Scotties shut out Shepherd 36-6 in the first week of the season. Their most recent win came against Colstrip as the Scotties downed the Rams 54-6 on Friday, October 2.

"Glasgow has a very potent offense that can score a lot of points in a hurry," Coach Oxarart said.

The Scottie offense is led by quarterback Loden Idler.

"He has great speed and is dangerous from any part of the field both running and throwing," Coach Oxarart said.

Behind Idler is a stable of running backs, including Jesse Lee, who is the starter. The team features an offensive line that is solid and has active guards according to Coach Oxarart.

"They don't seem to have any weaknesses and our defense will have to have an outstanding game in order for us to have success," Coach Oxarart said.

Defensively, the Scotties run a 4-4, that haven't allowed more than 12 points in any game this season. The defensive line is led by Mayson Phipps. Their linebackers include Cooper Larson and Dylan Nieskins.

Coach Oxarart said that their linebackers haven't allowed teams to gain many yards this season and the same goes for their secondary led by Idler.

"Glasgow is a really solid team that has dominated everyone they have played all season long and we will have to play really well in order to have success against them," Coach Oxarart said.

Due to last week's cancellation, the Mustangs didn't get a chance to play which could negatively impact any team, but the extra time away proved to be beneficial.

"We were able to rest up our guys and heal up quite a few of our players," Coach Oxarart said. "We were a little banged up after the Shepherd game, so a week off helped a little bit with getting healed up."

Coach Oxarart said that losing the Harlem game took away valuable repetitions, but the team made the most of things by holding an extra practice.

Ultimately, the Mustangs would like to play as many games as possible, but Coach Oxarart and the team know that the current health crisis is important. Coach Oxarart released this statement.

"With the cases increasing everywhere across Montana, we hope everyone stays safe and follows the protocols set by local county health departments so we can get back to normal," Coach Oxarart said. "People's health and safety are far more important than playing football, so we wish people in the Harlem area well and hope they are able to get the situation under control."

Malta's game against Glasgow is set to start at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 9, at Mustang Field.