Mustangs Win Delayed Game

Despite their homecoming game starting an hour and fifteen minutes later than anyone could have expected, the Malta Mustangs defeated the Shepherd Mustangs 24-19 late last Friday, September 17, in Malta.

The game was meant to celebrate Malta's 100th Year Anniversary, but a lightning storm followed by hours of rain, put a damper on a team photo that would've included current and former Mustang Football Players after the game. The photo is now set to take place this Friday, September 24, after the Mustang's game against Wolf Point.

In Malta's win over Shepherd, the Mustangs were led by senior captain Camryn Mears who galloped through the rain for 182 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. He also had a 26 yard reception. Treyton Wilke had 12 yards on three carries and Kaden Bishop had one attempt for seven yards.

"It was really good blocking," Mears said when asked about the key to their win. "The lineman did really good. We had a little bit of trouble at the second level with their linebackers, but a couple of plays opened up for me."

He also said that a few cutback lanes opened up for him, due to the defense over pursuing.

Sophomore quarterback Stockton Oxarart was 3-for-5 for 81 yards.

Shepherd scored first in the first quarter on a six-yard run with 3:53 in the first quarter.

Malta would score the next 16 points on a pair of Mears runs. Mears scored from six yards out in the second quarter, and then converted the two-point conversion, giving Malta an 8-7 lead. Mears would also score on a 48-yard touchdown run with 9:32 remaining in the third quarter. Wilke would score on a two-point conversion run, putting Malta up 16-7.

Shepherd's Connor Hash would score a one-yard touchdown, but the point after kick failed. The score was 16-13 with 8:30 remaining in the third.

Mears would score his third and final touchdown on a 14-yard run, which was followed by a successful two-point conversion by Spencer Gibbs. Malta was up 24-13 with 5:31 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Shepherd's Tyler Niles scored a late touchdown on a nine-yard run with 0:36 remaining in the fourth, but the two-point conversion failed.

After an onside kick was recovered by Mears, Malta went to kneel the ball down and won 24-19.

Early on, Shepherd's run game thrived in the rainy conditions but eventually Malta was able to tighten things up defensively.

"We just started keying on their players," Mears said. "They have a tough scheme and they kept running. We eventually started pushing a little harder and Shepherd was pretty tired."

Mears was asked what it meant to win on a day that was meant to celebrate 100 years of Malta Football.

"It means a lot to me and I am thankful for everyone who came out," Mears said. "100 years of Mustang Football is a pretty cool deal and I am glad that I get to be a part of it."

Spencer Gibbs, a senior captain, was crowned 2022 Homecoming King. He was asked what it meant to him.

"It feels amazing," Gibbs said. "It feels good to know that you have a lot of the school behind you."

Gibbs was also asked what it meant to pick up the win.

"It feels good," he said. "Camryn Mears was a big part of that. We couldn't have done it without our line."

Gibbs was asked how the Mustangs were able to overcome fumbles throughout, and how they were able to overcome the turnover bug.

"Keep a hold of the ball," Gibbs said. "Hold on to that thing. We knew that we weren't going to be passing a lot, so we kind of just held on."

Malta's Kyle Darrington gave Malta a defensive highlight as he was able to intercept a pass early in the game.

"We watched film all week, so we knew which play they were running when they had their wide receiver out, so I was watching the quarterback's eyes the whole time and decided to jump it, and had to dive, and came down with it," Darrington said.

One of Malta's newest Mustangs, Eli Hanson, a senior captain, who transferred from Billings last spring, was asked what it meant to be playing during the team's 100th year.

"It's great," Hanson said. "I love being a part of the Mustangs, and I love Mustang Football. It's a great culture and I love it. It was the best decision ever."