Mustangs Trounce Reigning Champs! Title Game Will Be In Malta Saturday!

For the first time since 2012, the Malta Mustangs are hosting a State B Championship football game.

"It feels amazing. You know I've been there before in basketball. We've just got to treat it like it's another game," Mustang senior Treyton Wilke said. "Get ready to roll and do the same thing we've been doing the whole season. Just another game."

Mustang senior quarterback Stockton Oxarart was asked about his feelings on hosting the championship.

"It feels great, especially now," S. Oxarart said. "It's at home and we'll have our own fans here and it should be great. I'm so excited for a state chipper."

The Mustangs reached the title game thanks to a dominant 37-0 win over the Florence-Carlton Falcons, who won State B title in the past three years. Malta hopes to add another trophy to their shelf, having won the State B in 1996, 2000, and 2006.

But first, they will have to challenge the only other undefeated team in the state, the Manhattan Tigers. The State B Championship game will be held at Mustang Field on Saturday, November 23, at 1 p.m.

"I'm just super proud of our guys," Malta Mustangs Coach Nick Oxarart said of Malta's win over the Falcons. "They prepared hard all week and they came out and executed really well. They were led by a great group of seniors who are just having fun. They fight hard for each other. It's an awesome brotherhood. We got our work cut out this week to play Manhattan, but we'll do our best to prepare and get ready."

In their win over Florence-Carlton. the Mustangs were led by senior quarterback Stockton Oxarart, who was 14-of-20 for 287 yards and four touchdowns. He had a quarterback rating of 152.1.

Though it wasn't his longest play from scrimmage, Oxarart was able to find junior Dawson Hammond on a shovel pass right into the endzone during the second quarter of the game.

"So I rolled out left and I didn't really want to throw it crossbody, so the quickest thing I thought of was pitching it forward like that, and you know, a nice little touchdown," S. Oxarart said.

Senior Blaine Downing led Malta's rushing attack with 17 carries for 113 yards and one touchdown. Oxarart had seven carries for 38 yards and senior Treyton Wilke had seven carries for 19 yards.

Junior Dawson Hammond had five receptions for 128 yards and three touchdowns. Wilke had four catches for 70 yards. Sophomore Laytin Erickson had four catches for 45 yards.

Downing led the team defensively with 12 tackles, seven of which were tackles for loss (TFL), and five sacks. Downing also scored the game's first points, a safety.

"I've never done one of those before, so that was pretty cool to finally do," Downing said. I thought I got it two times before that, but I finally got one on (the third tackle on that drive.) So, I was pretty happy about that."

Downing said that the key to their victory was their ability to come out firing.

"Against Three Forks, we were a little timid coming out so I think that made a big difference," Downing said. "We just wanted to have fun this time around and worked out pretty good."

Downing was asked about the defensive line's success. He gave some credit to teammate Kenan LaBrie, a sophomore.

"We were making some big plays up there and I think we were just being explosive. We were so hungry for this game and I feel like that's what made the big difference, you know, all around, not just on the line," he said.

Senior Kohner "Chaka" Schipman was also able to make plays in the backfield.

He was asked about his thoughts on reaching the championship game.

"Oh, it's just like in wrestling," Schipman, the reigning 138-pound Class B Wrestling Champion said. "Can't be satisfied, can't be nervous. Gotta be prepared, but it's awesome. It's an awesome feeling, just being out there. There is nothing better than being with the best group of guys on the hi-line; in the state, in my opinion, actually. You can't ask for a better team going into this championship."

Erickson had six tackles (one TFL) and .5 sacks, Simanton had six tackles. Sophomore Kenan LaBrie had five tackles (two TFL, and 1.5 sacks). Junior Straud Sims had five tackles. Hammond, Wilke, and junior Landon Retan each had four tackles.

Hammond and freshman Kazner Oxarart both recorded interceptions. The younger Oxarart was asked about his interception.

"We're just in cover 2, and I just went over the top and snagged it from him." K. Oxarart said.

Retan made six PAT kicks.