Mustangs kennel Scotties 36-14, to face Fairfield

The Malta Mustangs posted a dominant 36-14 win over the rival Glasgow Scotties on Friday, October 9, at Mustang Field.

"It's always an amazing feeling to beat Glasgow," Malta senior quarterback Kooper Oxarart said. "It's almost like a state championship game. (And the win) makes things a lot better."

Malta's senior class defeated Glasgow for the fourth season in a row. The Mustangs currently sit at 4-0 this season after the win.

"We missed two games or we would be 6-0," Oxarart said. "It's a good feeling and it sets us up good."

This Friday, October 16, Malta has a chance to make one of their regular-season goals a reality as they square off against the Fairfield Eagles.

"We have a chance to take a lead in the Northern B division standings with a win over Fairfield," Malta Head Coach Nick Oxarart said. "One of our season goals is to win the Northern B division and this will be one step closer to achieving that goal."

History is against Malta because the team has not defeated Fairfield since 1990, the Mustangs hope to right the ship, and defeat the Eagles for the first time in 30 years.

"They are going to be solid," Malta senior Pierce Mortenson said.

Coach Oxarart shared information about the Eagles, and said that they are always a very disciplined team that blocks well.

"They have at least three returning offensive lineman from last year's semi-final team along with their tight end and two receivers," Coach Oxarart said. "Many other of their players have experience from last year as well."

Coach Oxarart said that Fairfield's quarterback is able to throw the ball well and poses a dual-threat because he runs well behind Fairfield's veteran offensive line.

"Miguel Perez, a junior, is a solid running back that rushed for quite a few yards against us last year and is even better this year," Coach Oxxarart said. "They run a very balanced offensive attack with both the run and the pass, so our defense will have to prepare for both."

Coach Oxarart said that Fairfield's defense is very sound and doesn't make mistakes.

"They tackle really well and run both a 3-5 and 4-3 defense, so they can present many problems for our offense," Coach Oxarart said. "We will have to have a good week of practice in order to prepare for the challenge their defense presents us."

In Malta's win over Glasgow last Friday, the Mustangs won offensive and defensive battles at the line of scrimmage.

"Both lines were pretty tough, so it's always a battle," Mortenson said. "It's about who wants it more."

The pressure that Malta put on Glasgow's backfield, lightened the load for their defensive backfield.

"They didn't throw it much because of our line," Benson said. "We knew what they were going to do and we clamped them up."

Senior "Jera" Benson covers one side of the field at cornerback, while his younger brother sophomore Juliun Benson plays the other side. The younger Benson was tested more than Jera.

"I was wanting them to throw it to me but they wouldn't throw it to me," Je Benson said.

Malta was led in the win by Rex Williamson who had four rushing touchdowns and 186 on 22 carries. Cash Salsbery had one touchdown and 67 yards on 14 carries. Salsbery recorded the game's only interception for 29 yards. Parker Mortenson recorded a safety.

Malta totaled 260 yards of offense on 43 rushing attempts, while Glasgow had 205 yards, 116 of with came on the ground.

"I was very proud of the team effort against the Scotties last Friday night," Coach Oxarart said. "It was going to take a total team effort in order to beat a solid veteran team like Glasgow."

On the opening drive, Glasgow nearly put points on the board as Loden Idler caught a receiver in the back of the endzone, but a penalty cost the Scotties a score and momentum.

Malta responded with a touchdown drive early in the second quarter. The score was a two-yard run by Cash Salsbery, and two-point conversion run by Rex Williamson.

During the second quarter, Malta scored 24 unanswered points, as the team had a six-yard rushing touchdown by Williamson, followed by a safety forced by Parker Mortenson and a 22-yard touchdown by Williamson. The latter touchdown was followed by a two-point conversation pass from K. Oxarart to Je. Benson. The score was 24-0.

Glasgow would put up a score in the third quarter on a six-yard run by Kyler Hallock. Glasgow's 2 point conversion failed.

Williamson scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth. The runs were 24 yards and 27 yards respectively. Malta missed both extra-point kicks, putting the Mustangs up 36-6. Glasgow's Jesse Lee ran in a 2-yard touchdown as the clock expired. The final score was 36-14.

Good sportsmanship was displayed throughout the game, as both teams helped each other up after plays.

"Our towns are pretty close, so you always have to be friends with them," Pi. Mortenson said. "We know everyone on the other team. A rivalry is a rivalry but you're always friends at the end."