Mustangs pounce on Panthers in Homecoming win; To Face Shepherd Friday

The Malta Mustangs football team is now 2-0 after posting a dominant 60-0 win over the Roundup Panthers last Friday night at Mustang Field in Malta.

The game served as the team's first home game of the season as well as their Homecoming game.

"It feels good," Malta senior receiver Shawn Gilkerson said. "It's our last homecoming and the last time that I will get to do all of that pep rally stuff. It felt awesome."

Gilkerson said that things felt normal compared to the 2020 season, where things were more closed off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but things still feel different.

"It's different being on the other sideline, but it feels like it's back to normal. I like it," Gilkerson said.

The Mustangs will be on the road for the next two weeks. This week they will head south to take on the Shepherd Mustangs on Friday, September 17.

"We can't underestimate our opponent," Mustang Senior Quarterback Connor Tuss said. "We just have to get back to work Monday, every week. Every week we start things off, brand new."

In Malta's win over Roundup, the Mustangs were led by senior half-back Rex Williamson who had 228 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns.

"It feels awesome," Williamson said. "It is my last homecoming, so I gave it my all."

Senior running back Cash Salsbery had 140 rushing yards and one touchdown on seven carries.

Tuss was 3-of-8 for 31 yards and two touchdowns. In completing his throws, Tuss said that being 6'7" is an advantage.

"You can see all over the field," Tuss said. "I just have to find the right guys, make sure that they are open, and make the connection."

He also said that chemistry plays a big role.

"All of us have been trying to get in the weight room, or the field and work our stuff so that we can have our year," Tuss said. "The summer work that we put in has been helping us this fall."

Freshman Stockton Oxarart connected with Williamson for a 65-yard touchdown in his lone throw of the evening. The second team saw plenty of time in the second half after Malta had established a running clock in the middle of the third quarter.

Tuss was asked if Oxarart's first touchdown brought back memories of his first varsity score.

"It's always cool to see the freshie get his first touchdown," Tuss said. "I have that memory of my first touchdown pass and it's always cool, and it's great for him."

Malta had a total of 25 rushing attempts for 292 yards (12.1per carry) and five touchdowns. Salsbery led in rushing yards with 140. Williamson had 97 yards and two touchdowns on five carries. Gavin Slade had 21 yards on three carries. Camryn Mears had 13 yards and one touchdown on four carries, and Blaine Downing had 21 yards on one attempt.

Williamson had 86 yards and two touchdowns on two receptions. Spencer Gibbs had one reception; a five-yard touchdown.

Williamson had the team's lone interception, which he returned five yards and one punt return for 40 yards. Malta only had two penalties for 10 yards. Malta's defense only gave up a total of 104 yards.

"We just got after it," Gilkerson said. "Our linebackers really stepped up and just gave it their all. Defensive backs didn't let anybody get deep and our line just held them. It was good."

After the game, Williamson was asked about the team's 2-0 start this season.

"We just have great practices and our young guys are stepping up so we get good scouts," Williamson said. "They are doing really good helping us."

Scoring Summary vs Roundup:

1st Quarter:

-Cash Salsbery 3 yard run (Jacob Smith kick) 5:25 7-0

2nd Quarter:

-Rex Williamson 42 yard run (Smith kick) 11:01 14-0

-Connor Tuss 21 yard pass to Williamson (kick failed) 8:47 20-0

-Tuss 5 yard pass to Spencer Gibbs (kick failed) 5:21 26-0

-Williamson 9 yard run (Smith kick) 0:00 33-0

3rd Quarter: Camryn Mears 2 yard run (Smith kick) 11:42 40-0

-Mears 20 yard fumble return (Smith kick) 10:19 47-0

-Stockton Oxarart 65 yard pass to Williamson (Kaden Bishop kick) 0:34 54-0

4th Quarter:

-Gavin Slade 21 yard run 0:00 60-0