Mustangs cruise past Wolves; now 1-2

The Malta Mustangs are now 1-2 after pummeling the Wolf Point Wolves 42-0 last Friday, September 7. The team will head to Conrad on Friday, September 14, to face the Cowboys.

“It has been a slow process because we are a young team but in the past three weeks we have gotten a lot better,” said Malta quarterback Kooper Oxarart. “As a team and individually it has been fun.”

Malta's offense accumulated a total of 395 yards and six touchdowns on offense, Oxarart, who had two touchdowns and 208 yards, while completing seven-of-nine attempts through the air and one rushing touchdown.

“We just played really well as a team,” Oxarart said. “Everything was clicking. Everybody did their job and we came out to win. It was pretty exciting to get our first win.”

Kevin Henry led the team in rushing with 68 yards and a touchdown on three carries. Cormac Benn had 78 yards receiving, including a 73-yard touchdown off of two receptions, as well as one rushing touchdown and 42 yards on eight carries.

Tanner Smith was the recipient of a 63-yard touchdown from Oxarart, his longest catch of the year.

“We just ran a fade. It was actually a route that we hardly ever run,” Smith said. “It was probably the first time we had ever ran it in a game. Kooper said his hand was a little slick, which may have been the reason he under threw it, but it was a good ball.”

Andres Lopez had 34 yards and one touchdown on five carries.

“Our offense really stepped up,” Lopez said. “We were all on the same page and Kooper was throwing amazing balls, and our linemen were doing their job and blocking. It feels good to win.”

Lopez feels the team can continue to win in the coming weeks.

“We gotta have good practices,” Lopez said. “If we want to be champions. We have to practice like champions and we did that this week.”

Lopez also believes that Malta can do more than make the post-season this year.

“I think we can be state contenders,” he said.

Malta's defense was highlighted by the three interceptions, one by Henry, one by Oxarart and one by Smith.

Smith's interception happened on a 50-50 ball, which ended Wolf Point's second drive of the game.

“It was a little wobbly in the air,” Smith said. “I just jumped up and grabbed it and had to fight for it. He had his hands on it too but I was the lucky one that came down with it.”

Henry's interception occurred on the very next Wolf Point drive, when Benn tipped a Wolves pass attempt into the air.

“I just saw Cormac go for the ball,” Henry said. “He topped it in the air, I saw it come down. I caught it and tried to house it.”

Oxarart's interception happened as Wolf Point's Austin Wilson underthrew his target.

“I was just thinking, I need to get the ball,” Oxarart said. “It was right before the half and I wanted to house that sucker.”

Pierce Mortenson led the team in tackles with 7.5. Mortenson also had 1.5 sacks.

Malta's defense held the Wolves to -15 yards on 17 carries and 77 yards through the air on 25 attempts.

The team's game against Conrad this Friday is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.