Winding up their regular season against the West Side Pirates, the Malad Dragon football settled their 2024 season record at 3-5.  The loss was certainly not how the Dragons were hoping to end their season, but a recovered kickoff, fumble recovery, stripped ball, major forced losses, and two huge scoring stops are something they are celebrating for sure.

The MHS team kicked off to begin the Friday night game on October 25, bringing the excitement from the very first touch of the ball.  Booting the ball high and short, Malad forced a usually talented West Side special teams blocker to suddenly become an unprepared kick returner.  Just as the Pirate player went to catch the ball, it dribbled down his front to bounce on the ground, free for the taking.  The Dragons were quick to jump on the ball, taking the first possession for themselves.

The Malad offense took the field and slowly began making their way towards the end zone.  The West Side defense seemed to be at every turn and despite the small gains they were making, it wasn’t enough for the Dragons to move the chains.  Punting to the Pirates, the MHS defense held the line and limited West Side to only three plays before resorting to the punt.

It was clearly a defense dominated game, as once again Malad was unable to make any offensive progress.  They attempted a different look with the passing game, which resulted in a Pirate pick off.  Running it nearly to the goal line after the interception, it only took one play before West Side ran it in for the touchdown, followed by a PAT field goal to go up 0-7.

In spite of the interception and resulting touchdown, the Dragon offense was hopeful and optimistic as they took the field.  On their second down, quarterback Easton Green faked the handoff to Holden Tubbs before tucking the ball and running out and down the right sideline for a gain of 7 yards.  

Looking like they were about to run the same play again, Green handed off the ball to Tubbs, continuing to the sideline like the previous play just as Brady Showell came in for the ball.  After taking the handoff, Showell took a hard right up the middle to push past the line of scrimmage for a Malad first down.

Drake Morrison carried the ball on the following two downs, earning another first down for the Dragons and bringing them to West Side’s 35 yard line.  Running their next play with stellar execution, Malad finished their drive in the end zone.  Calling for the snap, Green turned for a pitch to Tubbs on his right.  Coming across Tubbs, Showell took the handoff, but instead of running the ball, he stepped back to pass.  Downfield Zayne Thomas began cutting across the middle with the defense loosely trailing behind him.  Showell launched the ball right into his hands, Thomas finishing the play to punch the ball in the last 6 yards despite the West Side defense tripping him up on his last steps.  Unsuccessful on their PAT attempt, the Dragons brought the score within one, 6-7.

The Pirate drive was interrupted with the quarter change, but that did little to slow their progress, scoring on the drive after coming back in the second quarter and on the following drive.  When it seemed that West Side was beginning to dominate the game, the Dragon defense stepped up to remind the Pirates that they weren’t done yet.

On their opening play, Justin Toone on the defensive line was able to slip his blocker,  coming around to snag the quarterback.  Before completing the tackle, the Pirate player dropped the ball, the fumble recovered by his own player for a 14 yard loss.  It looked like they might gain that back on the next play until a penalty dropped them back for an even greater loss.  Now nearly 40 yards from the line of scrimmage, West Side was desperate to move the ball.  Getting a big gain on the repeat of their second down, they halved the distance.  The Malad defense stepped up their game on the third down, covering receivers and putting pressure on the quarterback.   Brycen Howe broke free from the offensive barrier, wrapping up the quarterback around the waist.  Just before pulling him down, the Pirate player launched the ball.  Gabe Hooste saw the pass coming down the field and moved to catch it, coming up just short of the interception.  Now fourth and long, the Pirates opted to punt and turn the ball to Malad.  Both teams had time for one more drive before the end of the half, although neither ended with a score.  

West Side added one more touchdown on their first drive of the third quarter, going up 6-29.  It wasn’t until their first drive of the fourth quarter that Malad was able to respond. Switching up their offense, Showell took the snap, making only small gains on their opening three plays.  On fourth and goal, Howe jogged into the endzone and then cut across the back with the defense hardly paying attention.  Finding his receiver wide open, Showell dumped the ball straight in his hands for the touchdown.

The Dragon defense kept the momentum moving in their favor as they forced and recovered another Pirate fumble.  Three plays into their drive, West Side attempted a run up the middle.  Going for the tackle, Tubbs managed to trip the ball carrier and who in turn, slipped the ball.  Cam Bingham was close on his heels and jumped on the fumble to claim the ball for Malad.

Marching down the field, Malad found themselves within scoring range, but with back to back downs without a gain.  On third and goal, Green went for the pass to Chase Martin in the endzone.  Just as he released the ball, a West Side defender caught up to Martin and it seemed like it would be caught for an interception.  Martin simultaneously went up for the catch as his defender, twisting as he came down to take possession of the ball and complete the pass for a final Dragon score, 20-29.

Moving into the post season playoff games, the Dragons are scheduled to play the Pirates once again to secure a place in the single elimination state tournament.  The team is scheduled to play in West Side on Friday, November 1 at 7 pm.  Head Coach Brady Price says, “Our team has improved a lot this season.  And where they are playing their best here at the end of the season, I am looking forward to seeing how they will compete in the state playoffs this week.”