Wolf Point Drops Conference Game Against Malta, 36-2

After a promising start, Wolf Point’s football squad lost at home against conference rival Malta, 36-2, during action on Thursday, Sept. 17.

The Wolves enjoyed success early with a hurry-up offense and Prestyn Klatt serving as quarterback. Starting on their own 35, the Wolves earned a first down at the Malta 37 on a 28-yard completion from Klatt to Kayden Charette. Facing a fourth-and-eight at the 35, the Wolves kept the drive alive when Reed Garfield connected with a leaping Klatt at the 21. Runs by Jesse Reed produced a first down at the eight. The Wolves, however, couldn’t get into the end zone and Malta took over on its own four.

On first down, several Wolf Point defenders led by Martavius BadHawk sacked Malta’s quarterback Kazner Oxarart for a safety with 7:21 remaining in the first quarter.

On Malta’s next possession, the Mustangs put together a 51-yard, 12-play scoring drive capped by a 14-yard pass from Oxarart to Laytin Erickson, who outjumped defenders for the ball to end the first quarter at 6-2.

After Malta’s Oxarart intercepted a pass, the Mustangs took over at the Wolf Point 36. Wolf Point’s Aaryn Hamilton and Evan Kawasaki stopped the Mustangs for no gain on first down, but the powerful running of 220-pound fullback Kenan LaBrie then resulted in a 19-yard gain to the 17. Three plays later, Malta scored on a four-yard smash by LaBrie with 8:10 left in the half. LaBrie also ran in the twopoint conversion for a 14-2 margin.

The Mustangs had the ball deep inside Wolf Point territory later in the half, but Reed and James Corpron then forced a fumble. Corpron made the recovery at the Wolf Point 24. A pass from Klatt to Jayden Dominique and a run by Klatt advanced the ball to near midfield, but Wolf Point was then forced to punt the football.

Malta increased its lead to 22-22 on a 16-yard pass from Oxarart to Tant Anderson with 55 seconds remaining in the half.

The Mustangs opened the second half with a 59yard scoring drive. A 15yard throw from Oxarart to Anderson was good for a touchdown.

Malta scored later in the quarter on a 14-yard pass play from Oxarart to LaBrie to put the margin at 36-2 with 2:16 left in the third period.

Passes from Garfield to Dominique and Klatt led the Wolves as deep as the Malta 17 early in the fourth quarter, but the threat ended on an interception.

After the Wolves recovered a fumble, the scoring chance ended on Oxarart’s third interception of the night.

Reed finished the game with 44 rushing yards for the Wolves. Dominique and Klatt each had three receptions in the contest.

The Wolves, 2-2 overall and 0-2 in league play, travel to Conrad on Friday, Sept. 25.