HIGH FIVES  — Cowboy senior Grant Grubb (25), a receiver and defensive back, and senior Bryce Watterud, a tight end and linebacker, give each other the high five at the center of the field as they are introduced before the Friday night contest with the Malta Mustangs.  I-O Photo by Buck Traxler

The Malta Mustangs came into town Friday and spoiled the home opener for the home boys – handily taking a 41-6 win.

Noah Harms gathered in the opening kick for the Mustangs, followed his blockers down the left side, found a big opening and raced 75 yards for a score. Six seconds into the contest Conrad trailed 6-0.

The Cowboys looked like they would answer right back on their opening drive. Luke Schlosser brought the kickoff out to the 25 yard line.

Grant Grubb ran for a first down on an end-around play and quarterback Joe Ries did a nifty job of scrambling away from would be Malta defenders in the backfield and found Colter Knox for a 40-yard pass play.

Ries also ran for a first down at the two yard line and the Cowboys were in business, knocking at the door.

But, a fumbled snap was recovered by the Mustangs who put together a 10-play drive that ate up the clock and resulted in another TD and a 12-0 advantage. It was a lead they would not give up.

On the next series for the Cowboys, Ries connected with Ben Moerkerke on a neat pass play but the ball was fumbled and Malta recovered.

The Mustang quarterback wasted little time, connecting with his receiver on a 40-yard heave of the ball in a one play scoring drive.  After a two-point PAT, Conrad was in a 20-0 hole.

Malta came on to lead 26-0 at the intermission and added two more scores in the third period.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys averted a shutout when Ries found Devin VandenBos on a 25 yard TD scoring strike.

The game ended 41-6.

The storied rivalry between Malta and Conrad started back in 1939. CHS took that first game 51-0 on a Malta field.

The Mustangs have dominated the series with Conrad recently. The Cowboys last win against the Mustangs was in 2002, 27-12 in Malta and that was their first win in 10 years.

Friday Conrad hits the road for a game with Big Fork and should get right back on the winning track.

Due to the short week, game statistics were not available.