Malta Represents On-Field and Sideline at East-West Shrine Game

The Malta Mustangs football team was well represented at the 74th annual East-West Shrine Game held at Daylis Stadium in Billings on Saturday, June 19.

Pierce Mortenson played offensive guard for the East team, and Coach Nick Oxarart was an assistant coach for the East.

Oxarart said, "We had a great week of practice even though the temperature reached triple digits a couple of the days. The week not only allowed for installation of a defensive and offensive game plan, but it also allowed new friendships amongst the players and coaches to form."

Of his senior guard, Mortenson, Oxarart said, "Pierce worked hard every day of practice and had a good game on Saturday. He represented Mustang Football very well, and we are extremely proud of him."

Mortenson said, "We were doing three practices a day all week. On Tuesday, it hit 108 degrees. We were only practicing in helmets, but it was plenty hot. That was not too fun. But other than that, it was a fun week."

Coach Oxarart wasn't the only family member on the East sideline. His daughter Avi was a water girl, and his son Rio was a ball boy.

The East team got off to a great start in the first quarter with the trifecta of scoring. They got a field goal, safety, and a touchdown, ending the first quarter with a score of 12-0.

In the second quarter, the West woke up. First scoring a touchdown and then on the ensuing East possession, intercepting a pass and returning it all the way back for a pick-six, giving the West the lead at halftime 15-12.

Mortenson said, "When the game started, our defense was absolutely kicking butt, and we were moving the ball pretty well on offense. I don't know what happened. After the first quarter, we couldn't move the ball, and the defense had trouble getting off the field."

"That pick-six in the second quarter was a momentum killer for the East," said Coach Oxarart. "We were never able to get the momentum back."

The third quarter saw only one touchdown. Unfortunately, it was the West finding its way into the endzone, making the score 21-12.

With neither team scoring in the fourth quarter, the final score of this very entertaining, hard-hitting game was West 21, East 12.

Mortenson said, "There were a lot of hard hits in the game and some pretty good trash talking as well. The week was a lot of fun. I learned a lot."

Coach Oxarart said, "Although the East lost to an outstanding West team, it was a great success. The purpose of the game is to raise money for the Shriners hospital in Spokane, Washington. Between the banquet Friday night, and the game on Saturday, a lot of money had been raised towards that cause."