Malta falls 42-6 to Fairfield; To face Wolves

The Malta Mustangs lost a tough game to the top-ranked Fairfield Eagles, last Friday, September 28, in Malta, giving the Mustangs a 2-3 record, while Fairfield improved to 5-0.

"Our kids played hard and had success at times moving the ball," Malta Head Coach Jim Benn said. "Fairfield has tremendous team speed and it caused us problems. We needed to avoid turnovers and penalties which killed several drives in the first half."

This Friday, the Mustangs will fight to keep their playoff hopes alive, as they square off against the 3-3 Cut Bank Wolves, who are 2-2 in the conference.

"They have one of the best athletes in the conference in JR Seewald," Coach Benn said. "He is a dual-threat quarterback and exceptional outside linebacker. We need to spread the ball to our skill position kids and stop Seewald in the passing game and on planned quarterback runs."

Cut Bank is coming off of a 20-8 loss to the Glasgow Scotties last week. The Wolves lost 43-0 to Fairfield on Friday, September 21. The Wolves defeated the Harlem Wildcats 38-0 on Friday, September 14.

In Friday's 42-6 loss to the Eagles, the team was led by senior Andres Lopez, who gave Malta their lone touchdown of the game. Offensively, Lopez had one touchdown and 85 yards on 18 carries (4.72 YPC).

"We were penalty free and did a good job of moving the line of scrimmage with our offensive line," Coach Benn said of the touchdown drive.

The team used the Wing-T offense throughout the game.

"The wing-t is the basis for our blocking schemes," Coach Benn said. "It is a series based offense the utilizes angle blocking and misdirection."

Freshman Cash Salsbery had 75 yards on 17 carries (4.41 YPC). Senior Kevin Henry had four yards on three carries and sophomore Pierce Mortenson had three yards on two carries.

Sophomore quarterback Kooper Oxarart was 3-for-8 for 21 yards and two interceptions.

Sophomore Pierce Mortenson had the team's lone sack in Fairfield's opening drive.

"Pierce did a great job of holding the edge and keeping a good angle on the quarterback," Coach Benn said.

Defensively, Lopez had a team-leading 15 tackles.

"Andres continues to tackle well in space and I felt that he ran the ball better as the game went on," Coach Benn said. "He loves football and brings tremendous passion to the game."

Oxarart was second with seven tackles. Pierce Mortenson had fives tackles and one sack. Payton Clausen had three tackles and one fumble recovery.

The Mustangs are scheduled to face Cut Bank in Cut Bank at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 5.