Coming off of a bye week where they rested and recuperated, the Dragon football jumped back into the toughest bout of their season schedule.  Looking to take on 3 of the top 5 3A teams in the state, the MHS team has an uphill battle to end their season.  The first of their final matchups was held Friday, October 10 as they hosted the Aberdeen Tigers.

Malad received the ball as they opened the game, starting their drive on the 25 yard line after Aberdeen bounced the kickoff into the endzone.  The Dragons made little progress but managed one first and ten on their opening drive before they went four plays and punted on a fourth on long. 

The Tiger offense countered with a strong and steady drive as they made consistent gains.  Their signature play of the drive would be a simple run up the middle as their line created openings for the ball carrier to make their way down the field.  The drive lasted over 10 plays, eating up the clock as much as yards on the field.  But before long, the Aberdeen team was in the red zone, punching the first touchdown of the game.

The Dragons only had 2 plays before the buzzer signaled the end of the quarter, Malald down 0-6.  Coming back to the field, the MHS continued their efforts for a successful drive.  Unfortunately the play was plagued with a number of dropped passes that would have completely changed the game.  

The MHS drive ending in a turnover on downs, the Aberdeen offense took the field to punch in a second touchdown to put them up 0-12.  The Malad offense came out ready to move the chains and make up for the lack of progress in their previous outing.  Chase Martin and Justin Toone made big plays for the Dragons as they secured the pass despite the number of defenders swarming them as they caught the ball.  The progress was short-lived as they were unable to convert on a final 4th and long.

The remaining time on the clock for the half allowed both teams another drive down the field, the play dominated by the defense that continued to stop any offensive progress.  Finally the buzzer signaled the end of the half, pausing for the two teams to readjust and regroup.

The Dragon defense took the field after kicking off to start the second half.  Riding the spectrum with great gains and frustrating losses, the Tiger offense monopolized the third quarter as they drove down the field, scoring a final touchdown on their first play of the fourth quarter.

Unwilling to go down without a fight, the Malad offense kicked things in gear.  Quarterback Easton Green bravely ran the ball down the field when there wasn’t an open receiver, earning the Dragon’s first down of the drive followed by a gain of 9.  After a number of incomplete passes and short gain runs, Green connected with Parker Price for the conversion at the 20 yard line.  The next plays turned fruitless as the Tigers kept their running game from making any gains.  

Green called for the snap again, stepping clear back for the pass.  The Dragon offensive line stood their ground, providing both space and time for the play to evolve.  On the sideline, Holdan Tubbs slowly made his way down the field before suddenly putting on a burst of speed to get ahead of his defense.  Green tossed the ball to the back of the endzone as the defense began closing in, perfectly leading Tubbs to the first and only MHS touchdown of the game.  

The outcome of the game was certainly not what the Dragon teamed had hoped for but still took the game as a learning opportunity for the upcoming games.  Head Coach Brady Price shared, “This was a game where we had too many mistakes to beat a team like Aberdeen. We had a few costly penalties and dropped passes.  I still think with all the mistakes we did have our chances against the #3 team in the state. We told the kids though we can’t have missed opportunities and expect to beat a team like that.  I do believe this game showed us that we do have a team that can compete with the best in the state and still have a lot to play for.”

The leading rusher for the game was Green with 16 yards.  With 69 yards, Toone led in receiving yards.  Green went 9 for 24 with 137 yards passing and 1 passing TD.  Tubbs tallied 29 receiving yards and 1 TD as well as 14 tackles to lead the defense.  Price added 1 interception as well.

Next on the schedule for Malad is their home game Friday, October 17 as they host the Declo Hornets.