Mustangs look to add more balance on offense

The Malta Mustangs will look to rebound from last year as the 5-3 team missed the playoffs for the first time in over two decades.

"Our offensive line was banged up, Reid Robinson was banged up and we had Allen Williamson out with a concussion," said first year Mustangs Head Coach Nick Oxarart. "It's hard to win with some injuries."

Coach Oxarart enters his first season as head coach after being an assistant under Scott King and Tad Schye for the last nine years.

The team he will lead is young and a bit undersized, the Mustangs still pack a punch or two, including a more balanced offensive playoff thanks to the development of players in skill positions.

"We have a real strong group of wide receivers and Jase (Galt) is really throwing the ball well," said Mustangs Head Coach Nick Oxarart. "We're going to throw the ball quite a bit too. It'll be a good mix of run and pass."

The team will still base most of their offense out of the power I-formation, but they have been practicing various single back formations as well.

Senior tailback Quintan Boos is the only first team all-conference athlete to return from last year's team,

With Reid Robinson injured most of the 2013 season, Boos stepped up and led the team on the ground with 1142 yards and 13 touchdowns on 146 carries(7.8 yards per carry).

In terms of scoring, Boos scored one out of every eleventh time he carried the ball. He also led the team in receptions with 10 for 152 yards and two touchdowns.

He will be supported by Caleb Wiebe playing fullback and Allen Williamson, who has really stepped up since last year.

Williamson was also the team's lead returner, with 118 yards and a touchdown on six punt returns and 196 yards and a touchdown on eight kickoff returns. He earned second team all-conference honors for his contributions on special teams.

Williamson will likely start at wide receiver with Tyson Carney.

Carney had shown great catching skills in the past, though he only hauled in seven passes last year. He led the defense with 5 interceptions for 53 yards and the only defensive touchdown.

Ostin Welch and Tyler Ost have also displayed talent as wide receivers.

The starting spot at tight end will be between Jordan Pierce and Devon Raybon, who have been equally impressive in team practices.

"They're both strong and if we have some double tight sets we have both of them," said Coach Oxarart.

Though the offensive line is undersized, they do possess the strength of Antonio Lopez, who was fourth in class B & C state wrestling last year in his first year.

Other possible starters on the offensive line may be Cole Brown and Channing Mavencamp, and a few sophomores fighting for a chance to start in the two other sports.

As far as defensive starters, Boos will lead an athletic group consisting of Collin Hollman, Caleb Wiebe, Jordan Pierce and Devon Raybon.

Being strong at linebacker, Malta will continue to run a 3-4 defense.

Being fast, strong and athletic, Antonio Lopez will help bolster the defensive line at defensive end. Cole Brown and Cody Werk will play nose tackle, while Channing Mavencamp may lock down the defensive end spot.

The defensive secondary will consist of Carney and Ost at cornerback. Williamson at strong safety and Galt at free safety.

Welch will also play free safety at times, giving Galt a break.

In the Mustangs will get a chance for revenge against Huntley Project, the team they lost to in last year's season opener 14-6.

The teams square off in Malta for this year's season opener and is one of the games Coach Oxarart is looking most forward to.

He also looks forward to facing Roundup and Shepherd.

"Roundup and Shepherd are going to be a little older now. They're going to be tough," he said.

The highlighted game of the season will be against Glasgow, who took the 2B crown last year.

"Glasgow was a semi-final team last year,"s aid Oxarart."They got a real strong quarterback, receiver and tight end."

DATE OPPONENT SITE Time

August 18 First Practice Malta HS

Sept. 5 Huntley Project Malta 7 p.m.

12 Roundup - Homecoming Malta 7 p.m.

20 Shepherd Shepherd 6 p.m.

26 Plentywood Plentywood 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 Glasgow Malta 7 p.m.

10 Cut Bank Cut Bank 7 p.m.

15 Wolf Point - Senior Night Malta 7 p.m.

23 Playoffs ~ Quarter-finals TBA

15 Playoffs ~ Semi-finals TBA

22 State Championship TBA

Freshman/Soph

DATE OPPONENT SITE Time

Sept. 8 Glasgow Glasgow 5 p.m.

15 Poplar Malta 5 p.m.

22 Havre Malta 5 p.m.

29 Glasgow Malta 5 p.m.

Oct. 6 Fergus Lewistown 4:30

13 Havre Havre 5 p.m.

20 Fergus Malta 4:30