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The defending 4-A state champions from Texas were shut out with a 24-0 victory. A.C. Reynolds proved that they could dominate more than just teams in Western North Carolina.<br>Most great champions have a tough climb before they make it to the top. The Rockets were not an exception, as they were humbled after nine straight wins when their dreams of being undefeated were shattered by Asheville with an oh-so-close 16-14 loss. They realized losing was no fun. To make matters worse, the Rockets quarterback, Chris Mott, was diagnosed with Lupus and could no longer play. He spent ten days in the hospital and from then on players wore a small #12 on their uniforms in remembrance of their teammate. Vince Lombardi once said,  When the going gets tough the tough get going, and that s exactly what the Rockets did. They rebounded and adapted their offense. Back-up quarterback Chad Davis started his first game in the play-off season.<br>This is the letter quarterback Chris Mott, who started 22 varsity games for the Rockets, wrote while in the hospital. <br> Dear Coaches and Rockets, <br><br>Thank you all for everything you did for me while I was in the hospital. Nothing made me feel better than to see my coaches and teammates walk in to see me. To know you were all thinking of me all the time meant a lot. Even after my biopsy, I heard we beat South Rowan because Israel took time to call and tell me. To see all the #12 s on your uniforms let me know that you cared and that I would have rather spent the last six years playing football with nobody else in the world. I love all of you. Now get me a stinkin ring!<br> Love Chris <br><br>The Rockets defense was as tough and mean as the old Pittsburgh Steelers Iron Curtain. In sixteen games played during the season the Rockets had nine shutouts and only gave up 77 total points! After one loss and some trials to overcome, the Rockets stepped up the tempo in the playoffs. Their defense was ranked #1 in the state for the second straight year. Probably their most spectacular game of the season was against the forth-ranked team in thetball this last fall. The mustangs have found out how to win and not very many kids want to miss out on it. <br>Malta s football season was filled with exciting moments, as they fought their way to capture the state crown. First Team All-State Quarterback, Cody Oxarart, led the Mustangs on offense. In a quarterfinal game against Fort Benton, All-State defensive tackle, Lance Spencer, shined in the limelight to help his team advance in the playoffs. In double overtime, Spencer snagged an interception and returned it 85 yards for a touchdown, leading the Mustangs to a 35-34 win. They went on to beat the Cut Bank Wolves 20-7 for the state championship title. Reflecting on the win, Coach King said,  When I think about these kids in the future, I will remember a group of unselfish athletes. That s a characteristic that title teams have. Jesse Brown, Josh Roberts and Ty Salsbery were all named All-State. <br><br><br>BOYS BASKETBALL<br><br>Malta s Boys Basketball team won the state title in 1996 and 1998. Coach Bernie Wasser taught his players what it takes to become champions. His team listened and played as a unit. Through a lot of hard work, they rose to the top. All-State key player, RJ Tollefson, led the Mustangs in their quest to be the best. <br><br>CONCLUSION<br><br>What is the key to Malta s high level of achievement? Simply put, all athletes, regardless of sport, train on the same program. The remarkable thing about this successful athletic program is that most of the great competitors are three-sport athletes. For example, in wrestling, Lance Spen