Mustangs to Face Florence-Carlton in Semifinals; Defeat Three Forks 59-36

For the first time in 12 years, the Malta Mustangs football team is heading to the semifinal round of the MHSA Class B Football Championship Series.

"All of it feels awesome," Malta senior Mason Simanton told the PCN. "I mean, Mustang football hasn't been there since 2012. We were just talking about it and it's an awesome feeling to be back in with a chance to get in that chipper."

To reach the semifinals, the Mustangs defeated the Three Forks Wolves 59-36 at Mustang field on Saturday, November 9.

This is the first semifinal game for Head Coach Nick Oxarart, who has reached the semifinals as an assistant coach.

"I am super proud of our guys, who are led by our seniors," Coach Oxarart said. "They did an outstanding job and battled some adversity. Three Forks is a great team and they're well coached. We had to work hard to beat those guys, but I'm really proud of our guys' effort and preparation and our coaches did a good job of getting these guys prepared."

The Mustangs will host the Florence-Carlton Falcons on Saturday, November 16, at Mustang Field.

The Falcons (10-1) have only one blemish on their record, a 21-14 loss to the Jefferson County Panthers in the opening week of the season. Florence-Carlton has won ten in a row, their last being a 35-14 victory over Jefferson County in the quarterfinals last Saturday, November 9.

The Malta Mustangs were able to earn a revenge victory last Saturday as well, when they defeated the Three Forks Wolves. Last season, Three Forks eliminated Malta.

"Everyone that we lost to last year, we have beat," Simanton said. "This was the one to beat because they knocked us out last year. It's an awesome feeling to be able to get back and avenge it."

The Mustangs were led by Oxarart, who was 19-of-24 for 320 yards and six touchdowns. He had a rating of 159.7. He also had one rushing touchdown and 29 yards on six carries.

When asked about his team's performance, Oxarart gave credit to their preparation.

"We just had a great week of practice," S. Oxarart said. "We were all prepared for this game and we were just lights out on offense, but we got to pick it up a little bit on defense and we should be ready for the Falcons next week."

He was asked what his favorite touchdown throw was.

"It's definitely the one before halftime to Treyton, when I rocketed that thing in there," Oxarart said. "Oh, that was pretty sweet. It was the last play of the half."

That touchdown to Wilke was a 24-yard connection. Malta had the ball with two seconds left in the half.

The rushing attack was led by senior Blaine Downing who had 118 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. Senior Treyton Wilke had five carries for 26 yards. Kazner Oxarart had one carry for eight yards.

Junior Dawson Hammond had seven receptions for 100 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Mason Simanton had five receptions for 130 yards and one touchdown. Wilke had three catches for 55 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore Laytin Erickson had three catches for 23 yards and one touchdown.

Simanton was asked what would be the key to the team picking up a win this Saturday.

"We gotta play better defense for sure," Simanton said. "Can't be giving up 35 points to a team like Three Forks. We've got to keep it more locked down and I think we'll have a good chance of winning it next week."

Junior Straud Sims had a team-leading 12 tackles (2 TFL). Junior Landon Retan had 10 tackles. Downing had 10 tackles (1TFL). Sophomore Kenan LaBrie had nine tackles and one sack (1 TFL). Simanton had nine tackles. Hammond had eight tackles.

Hammond intercepted a pass and returned it eight yards. Erickson intercepted a pass and returned it four yards. Erickson also recovered a fumble.

Scoring Summary MALTA vs THREE FORKS

1st Quarter: Blaine Downing 30 yd run (kick failed) 8:19 6-0

-Sawyer Andersen 15 yd run (Kanon Reichman run) 3:20 6-8

2nd Quarter: Dawson Hammond 6 yd pass from Stockton Oxarart (run failed) 5:33 12-8

-Treyton Wilke 24 yd pass from Oxarart (Landon Retan kick) 0:00 19-8

3rd Quarter: S. Andersen 11 yd td pass from Reichman (S. Andersen pass from Reichman) 9:11 19-16

-Mason Simanton 80 yd pass from Oxarart (Retan kick) 8:59 26-16

-Hammond 10 yd pass from Oxarart (kick failed) 3:28 32-16

-Downing 59 yd run (Retan kick) 1:10 39-16

4th Quarter: Dylan Andersen 11 yd pass from Reichman (run failed) 11:32 39-22

-Hammond 3 yd pass from Oxarart (Retan kick) 8:17 46-22

-Marcus Pestel 5 yd pass from Reichman (D. Andersen pass from Reichman) 6:01 46-30

-Laytin Erickson 10 yd pass from Oxarart (kick failed) 4:43 52-30

-S. Andersen 1 yd run (pass failed) 3:46 52-36

-Oxarart 29 yd run (Retan kick) 1:33 59-36