Mustangs trample Wolves, to host Bigfork Saturday

The Malta Mustangs football team ended the regular season with a dominant 34-0 win over the Cut Bank Wolves, during a blizzard on Friday, October 23, in Cut Bank.

The win earned the Mustangs the second seed in the Northern B division. Malta is now set to host the Bigfork Vikings, who are led by former Mustang Coach Jim Benn. With a 6-3 record, the Vikings are the third seed in the Western Division.

Most recently, the Viking suffered a 28-0 loss to Eureka in Bigfork. Prior to their loss, Bigfork was on a four-game win streak, led by former Mustang Cormac Benn, who scored a total of five touchdowns in the last win, a 46-6 victory over Anaconda.

Malta's home playoff game against Bigfork is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, at 1 p.m.

Per a news release by Malta Public Schools, there will be a maximum of six spectators per uniformed player, four for alternates and managers, two per coach, and two per cheerleader. Spectators will have to pay at the gate.

Parents are able to pick up their tickets Monday-Thursday between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Malta High School Office.

In their victory over Cut Bank, the Mustangs were led by senior quarterback Kooper Oxarart who had four touchdowns and 148 yards in the air. He completed seven of his 14 pass attempts.

Oxarart's longest connection was a 42-yard throw to Jeremiah Benson on the first drive of the game. Cash Salsbery scored on a run during the two-point conversion.

Salsbery led Malta on the ground, picking up 55 yards on 14 attempts. Shaun Gilkerson had Malta's lone rushing touchdown in the third quarter, an 18-yarder. Gilkerson had a total of 29 yards on six carries. Rex Williamson had 18 yards on three carries.

Connor Tuss led Malta in receptions, pulling in three catches for 74 yards and one touchdown in the second quarter. Jeremiah Benson had one catch for the aforementioned 42-yard touchdown. Williamson had a two-yard catch for a touchdown.

Ju. Benson had an interception and Malta recovered three fumbles.