Mustangs Second in North, Defeat Cut Bank

Due to their 38-26 win over the Cut Bank Wolves last Friday in Cut Bank, the Malta Mustangs have now earned the second seed in the Northern B for the 2023 MHSA Class B Football Championship Series.

"Friday was a big win for us, our guys made big plays when we needed them," Malta Head Coach Nick Oxarart told the PCN.

Malta will host the Three Forks Wolves, the third-seed from the Southern B in the opening round, on October 28, at Mustang Field. But before the big dance starts, the Mustangs have to face the Fairfield Eagles, in Fairfield this Friday, October 20, at 7 p.m.

"Fairfield is trying to get the fourth seed in our division and they only lost by two scores to Glasgow last week on the road, so they are a motivated team and will be a tough opponent," Coach Oxarart said. "Fairfield is always a tough team to play, especially on their home turf. They have a balanced run and pass attack. Their defense is real aggressive and they have some outstanding linebackers and defensive ends."

In order to play spoiler to Fairfield's playoff hopes, Coach Oxarart knows that Malta will have to continue to improve.

"We will have to be fundamentally sound with few mistakes in order to come out of Fairfield with a victory," Coach Oxarart said. "Our players are working hard each week to keep improving. Their hard work is starting to pay off."

Coach Oxarart said that the key to their win over Cut Bank was the team making big plays when they needed to.

"Our offensive line (Hunter Stolem, Kenan LaBrie, Kohner Schipman, Bow SaintLouis and Clay Hallenberg) did a great job of blocking and executing our plays," Coach Oxarart said. "Blaine Downing had a huge night with over 200 yards rushing and a touchdown. Mason Simanton forced two turnovers inside the 5 yard line that helped keep two more scores off the scoreboard for Cut Bank. He had an interception and forced a fumble that teammate Treyton Wilke recovered."

Malta quarterback Stockton Oxarart completed 7-of-13 pass attempts for 88 yards and two touchdowns. He also had five rushing attempts for 19 yards and two touchdowns.

Downing led Malta's rushing attack with 208 yards and one touchdown on 28 carries. Wilke had 49 rushing yards on 11 carries. Trooper Stiles had a 42 yard touchdown on his only rushing attempt of the game. Duke Williamson also had one rushing attempt for 10 yards.

Simanton had two catches for 34 yards and one touchdown. Wilke had two catches for 23 yards and one touchdown. Dawson Hammond had two catches for 23 yards and Sebastian Best had one reception for eight yards.

Downing had 17 tackles and one sack on defense, Simanton had 10 tackles and an interception, and Straud Sims had 10 tackles. Hunter Stolem and Colton Mears had one combined sack.

Scoring Summary:

Q1: Treyton Wilke 8 yard pass from Stockton Oxarart (Blaine Downing run) 6:13 8-0

Q2: Trooper Stiles 42 yard run (Wilke run) 4:52 16-0

Dallas Berkram 10 yard pass from Tate Monroe (Alex Wahl run) 0:27 16-8

Q3: Mason Simanton 27 yard pass from Oxarart (pass failed) 11:13 22-8

Jaydas Running Wolf 15 yard pass from Monroe (run failed) 4:17 22-14

Downing 6 yard run (Downing run) 1:00 30-14

Q4: Oxarart 9 yard run (Wilke pass from Oxarart) 8:51 38-14

Wahl 1 yard run (pass failed) 5:23 38-20

Wahl 12 yard run (pass failed) 3:05 38-26