Mustangs 9-0, To Host Playoff Game Against Thompson Falls

The Malta Mustangs Football team completed a perfect 9-0 regular season after defeating the Fairfield Eagles 40-0 last Friday, October 25, at Mustang Field.

Senior quarterback Stockton Oxarart was asked what having a perfect record meant.

"It's great," Oxarart said. "It hasn't happened since my freshman year, so it's a really big deal, especially, it's my senior year, it's a (heck) of a team."

The Mustangs are set to host the Thompson Falls Eagles, the fourth ranked team from the Western B. Thompson Falls was 3-6 during the regular season, and most recently defeated the Whitehall Trojans 23-0 last Friday.

Malta senior Treyton Wilke was asked how it feels to be able to host a playoff game.

"It's a big accomplishment, that's what hard work does in the weight room in the summers and stuff. You know, we're ready. We are ready to go."

Despite Thompson Falls' regular season record, Malta, Class B's top-ranked team, has no plans to overlook them.

"Well, right now, we're 0-0, none of these wins matter," Oxarart said. "We're just going to keep putting it to them. ...It should be another good game, so I'm excited."

In Malta's win over Fairfield. Malta was led by Oxarart, who was 18-of-21 for 260 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. He had a Quarterback Rating of 144.8.

Senior Blaine Downing led the rushing attack with 115 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries. Downing scored on a 51-yard touchdown to put Malta up 20-0 with 2:01 left in the second quarter. He was asked about the run.

"Well, #7 was getting a bit chippy," Downing said. "I was kind of getting mad. I knew on that play that I was going to be open so I ran as hard as I could because I was mad and got in the end zone. I got some big blocks from some teammates. You know, Mason (Simanton) he always likes to block big on those plays, so I am very appreciative of that."

Wilke had five carries for 19 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Wilke was asked what the key to Malta's win over Fairfield was.

"Go out, work hard, play every game like we usually do," Wilke said.

Wilke had a total of three touchdowns that night, two of which were receptions. He had eight receptions for 125 yards. In racking up a total of 144 yards on offense, Wilke broke a plethora of tackles. He was asked about what goes through his mind as he runs.

"I just put my head down and run as hard as I can to get every yard that I can for my team," Wilke said. "Do whatever I can to win."

Trooper Stiles had three receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown. Dawson Hammond had four receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown. Mason Simanton had two touchdowns for 26 yards.

Mustang junior Landon Retan had 11 tackles and one sack (3 TFL). Retan led Malta in tackles during the regular season with 104, a total that was third in Class B according to Maxpreps.

He was asked how it felt.

"It feels great," Retan said. "I've put in a lot of work to get there, so, I just want to thank the coaches for opening up the gym."

Retan was asked how it felt to end the regular season with a perfect record.

"You know, it feels great," he said. "We just gotta keep working towards the end goal."

Junior Straud Sims also had 11 tackles (2 TFL) against Fairfield. Downing had eight tackles and four sacks (5 TFL). Wilke had seven tackles. Kenan LaBrie had six tackles (3 TFL).

Hammond had an interception that he returned for 20 yards, and Simanton had an interception that he returned for eight yards.

Retan made 4-of-5 PAT kicks.