Now a days, when you mention the name Thurman Holdsclaw you think of Havre High’s basketball, track and golf star, as well as the American Legion North Star’s baseball standout. But with the start of a new fall sports season, the name Holdsclaw will appear in yet another Blue Pony box score.
In his junior year, Holdsclaw has hung up his golf clubs and now dons a Blue Pony football uniform, proudly showing off the No. 21. And standing at 6-2 and 200 pounds, with good speed, a solid vertical and outstanding hands to boot, Holdsclaw could be an instant factor on the gridiron for the Central A Ponies this season as well as next.
Holdsclaw made his Blue Pony debut on Saturday at Blue Pony Stadium against the Whitefish Bulldogs.
In a previous
interview, Havre High head football coach Jason Christenson said. “We expect a lot out of him, he is brand new, but we expect big things. He has great hands, he is just a little raw, but still explosive. He is a big kid and can jump, so he is going to be somebody for teams to recon with.”
Holdsclaw played for the Havre Middle School in seventh and eighth grade, but quickly became a key player in his first-ever Havre High game.
“I thought it went pretty good,” Holdsclaw said. “I caught a couple passes and scored a touchdown. (Football) is a lot tougher, it involves a lot more athleticism, especially on days like today (Saturday) when it’s real hot. I am happy with the decision (to play football), and I have picked it up pretty fast.”
Holdsclaw’s touchdown came on his first-ever catch for the Ponies. Early in the second quarter Holdsclaw reeled in a 25-yard catch from veteran quarterback Justin Jensen, putting the Ponies up 27-12 and the game even further out of reach. Holdsclaw was also targeted a number of other times, but also had a second catch for 25 yards to help the offense.
“(After scoring the touchdown) I was stoked,” Holdsclaw said. “It was great. And I didn’t expect that many looks. I was hoping for one or two, but got a few more than I thought.”
Holdsclaw was also a factor on defense. He lines up in the defensive end position and made his presence known.
In Saturday’s lopsided, 54-25 victory over the Bulldogs, Holdsclaw was in on several tackles, had one tipped pass and one sack to help the defensive efforts.
Moving forward Holdsclaw knows his role on the team and wants to help out anyway he can.
“I just want to catch all the passes I can and score a couple touchdowns, and make a few tackles on defense,” Holdsclaw stated.
Ponies 54, Whitefish 25
Whitefish 6 6 6 7 — 25
Havre 20 27 0 7 — 54
HAV — Casey Schaub 9 pass from Justin Jensen (Grant Pattison kick)
HAV — Brayden Grimson 23 pass from Jensen (Grant Pattison kick)
WF — Gage Vasquez 23 pass from Connor Donahue (kick failed)
HAV — Ryan Brandt 77 kickoff return (kick failed)
WF — Shane Christopher 1 run (kick failed)
HAV — Thurman Holdsclaw 25 from Justin Jensen (Grant Pattison kick)
HAV — Casey Schaub 4 run (pass failed)
HAV — Justin Jensen 3 run (Grant Pattison kick)
HAV — Zach Plum 1 pass from Justin Jensen (Grant Pattison kick)
WF -—Bryce Wehril 14 pass from Connor Donahue (run failed)
WF — Logan Harwood 42 pass from Christopher Forest (Koler Kanistanaus kick)
HAV — Eli Hinebauch 15 run (Pattison kick)
Havre Individual Statistics
Rushing — Ryan Brandt 10-68, Casey Schaub 7-53, Justin Jensen 6-20, Eli Hinebauch 1-14
Passing — Justin Jensen 16-24-277
Receiving — Ryan Brandt 5-91, Brayden Grimson 4-81, , Thurman Holdsclaw 2-50, Brandon Smith 2-24, Zach Plum 2-20, Casey Schaub 2-18.
