By Tiffany L. Rehbein
Two teams that downed the Havre Blue Ponies football team have also downed the Beaverhead County Beavers.
The third team that downed the Beavers, the Blue Ponies have not met yet.
The Blue Ponies, 3-2 in the Central A and 3-3 overall, travel to Dillon Friday to take on the Beavers, 2-3 in the Central A and 3-3 overall.
They are in the same boat we are, said head coach Dan Olson. Theyve lost two to three games by just a few points.
During the past two years, Havre has come out on top in the contest, pounding the Beavers 41-6 last year and winning 21-7 in 1997.
Defensively, the Beavers will look to bring some pressure inside to challenge Troy Worden, Jesse Suek, Matt Sasaki and Michael Holden on the Ponies offensive line.
Both Havre and Dillon are coming off wins. Dillon overcame Central A opponent Livingston 27-10 last week. Havre downed Central A Browning 42-0 on the road.
Havre tallied 239 total yards last week against Browning. Due to harsh wind conditions, the Ponies reverted to the ground game, where junior Brent Finneman led the attack with 16 carries for 86 yards and one touchdown.
Ryan McIntosh had 12 carries for 55 yards and two touchdowns, while Danny Wirtzberger notched 47 yards on eight carries.
Senior quarterback Ricky Brown led the passing effort, completing 5-of-8 passes for 74 yards and one touchdown.
Wirtzberger was on the receiving end of all Browns passes.
Defensively, the Ponies held Browning to zero yards passing and just 32 yards on the ground.
Finneman and Nick Newell each intercepted a pass last weekend. Kris Myers caused and recovered a fumble on the defensive end.
Myers, Grant Roman and Brandon Crawford each tallied a quarterback sack in the contest.
Willie Hulett led 28 players in tackles with five.
Dillon, who lost three All-State players and its starting quarterback to graduation, has 20 returning lettermen from last years team.
Joe Lucon and Ty Krebsbach are in the backfield for the Beavers. Jon Stonelake and P.J. LeRoy, on the offensive line, will be looking to stop McIntosh, Tyler Bebee, Hulett, Myers and Jacob Szudera for the Ponies.
Dillons a good football team, so weve got to be ready to play, Olson said.
The game is slated to begin Friday at 7:30 p.m.
