Mustangs Beat Blue Hawks 45-8 in First Round, To Face Three Forks in Quarterfinals

The Malta Mustangs Football team (10-0) started their 2024 playoffs with a dominant 45-8 victory over the Thompson Falls Blue Hawks last Saturday, November 2, in Malta.

The win sets up Malta for a clash with the Three Forks Wolves in the quarterfinals this Saturday, November 9, in Malta.

Last season, the Mustangs fell 40-22 to Three Forks in the opening round of the playoffs.

This year, the Wolves are 7-3, and most recently defeated the Huntley Project Red Devils 43-6 in the opening round last Saturday.

"It's a big game," Malta senior quarterback Stockton Oxarart said. They'd beat us out last year, so it's our revenge tour and it should be another good one. I'm excited."

Senior running back Treyton Wilke was also asked about this Saturday's game.

"Just have to work hard next week and just have the fire burning from last year when they came here and beat us," Wilke said. "We still remember that."

In Malta's win over Thompson Falls, the Mustangs were led by Oxarart, who was 12-of-14 for three touchdowns and 160 yards. He had a passer rating of 160.7. He also had 41 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.

Oxarart was asked about the key to Malta's victory.

"Probably just our o-line and running the ball," Oxarart said. "We ran the ball really well and our offensive line just did great things, both on the pass and the run. They made some big holes and they gave me time to throw the ball, so it was great."

Playing defensive back, Oxarart also tied a school record for career defensive interceptions, after grabbing his 17th interception. The record was previously held exclusively by his older brother Kooper Oxarart, who graduated from MHS in 2021.

Freshman quarterback Kazner Oxarart was 3-of-4 for 41 yards.

Senior Blaine Downing led Malta's rushing attack with nine carries for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

Wilke had six carries for 65 yards. Wilke provided a scary moment of the game in which he grabbed a touchdown pass from Oxarart right over the top of referee Brent Reber, who was not hurt by the collision and was able to finish the game.

"Well, I seen the ball in front of me, so I had to concentrate on catching it and I didn't know there's anyone in front of me and I just felt contact," Wilke said. "I score, look down, and there's just a ref on the ground. I was like, oh (man)."

Wilke was asked about the team's win.

"The coaches told us to come out and work hard," Wilke said. "It's just another game. Treat it like it's a regular season game, nothing's bigger than the moment. Just go attack the moment that's what they're telling us."

Freshman Lane Spencer had 37 yards on nine carries. Freshman Regan Stuart had eight yards on two carries, and K. Oxarart had three yards on two carries.

Junior Dawson Hammond had five catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Mason Simanton had four catches for 79 yards. Sophomore Laytin Erickson had two receptions for 27 yards. Freshman Kruise Stiles had one catch for 14 yards.

Straud Sims had a team-leading 7 tackles. Wilke had six tackles (1 TFL). Erickson had four tackles and Kenan LaBrie had four tackles. Downing had Malta's only sack. Downing and Erickson both forced fumble. Rylee Brusse, Retan, and Alex Martian each recovered a fumble.

Retan was 6-for-6 of PAT kicks and made his only field goal attempt.