Rangers come to HHS's homecoming

With only five teams in the Central A conference and only four conference games, each one of them is important.

That’s why tonight’s game against Livingston means so much for the Havre High football team — that, and it’s homecoming.

The small conference schedule means the Blue Ponies (3-2, 1-0) have little room for error. So when they take the field tonight at Blue Pony Stadium at 7, they can’t afford to letdown, despite entering the game as heavy favorites.

“We just need to make sure we take care of our business,” HHS head coach Mark Samson said. “We have spent a lot of time this week trying to work on some things fundamentally, which we should do every week and not focus on the X’s and the O’s so much. Those things are important, but we found out the last couple weeks that there are some areas where we need to improve and things we need to get better at.”

One area that has greatly improved for the Ponies in recent weeks has been their ability to take care of the football offensively. After getting through the Sidney game two weeks ago with no turnovers, Havre turned it over just once last week in a 28-0 win in Browning. Protecting the football is obviously something Samson wants to continue to do. He also wants to see his team do a better job of running the football, which will be a big focus against Livingston.

“I thought we did a better job of running the ball last week,” Samson said. “But we still aren’t where I want us to be. If this team could get 180-200 yards rushing that would help us so much.”

Last week against Browning, the Ponies did run the ball more effectively than they had all season. Jazz Schroder ran 18 times for 63 yards and a score, while Parker Filius also racked up 61 yards on nine carries. He also scored a rushing touchdown.

This week, Samson will be looking for similar production against the Rangers, who have been a doormat in Class A football this season. The Rangers are currently 0-5 and have lost all five of their games in blowout fashion.

Havre may be looking to run the football more, but that doesn’t mean the Ponies are going to shy away from their passing game and the big plays it has been generating recently. Of course, HHS has always had a prolific passing game with Dane Warp under center and after another two-touchdown game a week ago, that should only continue.

A big reason for Warp’s success has been the stellar play of his receivers, particularly the play of Nate Rismon. Two weeks ago against Sidney, Rismon had eight receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. But last week against Browning, he was even more productive, catching five passes for 127 yards and a score.

Then there’s Filius, who is a nightmare with the ball in his hands. Against Browning, Filius hauled in six passes for 60 yards, giving him a total of 111 yards from scrimmage on just 11 touches. Logan Pleninger has also started making an impact in the passing and against the Indians, he had three receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown.

“I think we have some really great receivers,” Samson said. “Nate has been playing really well and so has Parker. Logan has also really stepped up and made some big plays for us. He has just gotten better and better.”

As a defense, the Rangers are surrendering upwards of 45 points per game, so the Ponies should have a big night, both running and throwing the football.

When Livingston has the ball, the big focus for Havre will be stopping the run as the Rangers are first and foremost a team that wants to ground and pound. And while they will look to establish the run, their success on offense has been extremely limited. In five games, they have managed to score just six points.

“Livingston doesn’t throw the ball much,” Samson said. “But we need to be prepared for anything. Browning did some things last week that surprised us, so we need to focus on our keys and making our reads.”

With the run defense in focus, Havre will be looking for big games from defensive linemen Chris Gabrielsen, Travis Adams, Thomas Keith and Tyler Schaub. Jase Stokes will man his customary spot at inside linebacker and Filius, another linebacker will also play a key role. Meanwhile, the defensive backs, who include Rismon, Ivar Aageson, Nate Korb and Pleninger may also be tested more in the run game than usual.

But regardless of scheme or opponent, Samson said, whenever his team takes the field, he expects his players to be at their best.

“It doesn’t matter who you play,” Samson said. “Whether we are playing Dillon or Butte Central or Livingston or whoever. Good teams always come to play.”

Havre and Livingston will meet to tonight in the Blue Ponies’ homecoming game at 7 inside Blue Pony Stadium. The Ponies will then have a huge showdown with the Belgrade Panthers next Friday in Belgrade.

Tonight at 7 p.m.

at Blue Pony Stadium

Radio: 610 KOJM AM