Blue Ponies face first road test at Sidney

As much as the Havre High football team would like to forget its game with Miles City last weekend, it may very well prove to be a benefit this weekend.

Tonight the Central A Blue Ponies (1-1) will be in Sidney where they will face the Eastern A Eagles in the Ponies' last nonconference game of the regular season.

And though the Ponies' game against Miles City was a rough one, it is also one of the key components which prepared the Ponies for the Eagles.

The Eagles are very similar to Miles City. They have two very big and physical running backs, and a dual threat quarterback. Tyler Schilling will handle most of the Eagles' running duties, but Colton Herbert will also come into play as a definite threat on the ground. And quarterback Ryan Sullivan, he has a dangerous arm, but even more dangerous legs with his quickness and agility.

"They have some good running backs with good speed," Havre High head coach Jason Christenson said. "And their offensive line blocks really well and are very disciplined in their blocking assignments. We've been focused on the run all week."

But even with the talented running game, the Eagles still have the ability to throw the ball. They may pound the ball down field with the run, but eventually they will take a shot in the air. They run the ball to set up play action pass.

The Havre defense will have its hands full trying to stop the run for the second week in a row.

And it's going to take a complete defensive effort to be successful. Especially the front seven, Christenson is putting a lot of pressure on his linebackers and defensive linemen to step up, play disciplined and execute their assignments.

"Week in and week out I put a lot of pressure on those guys," Christenson said. "If our kids play well and execute our game plan we can stop anybody. But they (Sidney) are very disciplined in their blocking and they are very well coached. They are going to run it at you until you stop the run of find something to disrupt it or the momentum of their game. We have to execute and the kids have to get to their fits and the rest should take care of itself."

On offense the Ponies are also going to have to play well to stay competitive. And to do that, the Ponies are getting back to the basics.

A week ago the Pony offense faced one of the toughest defenses they will see all year. And after struggling to find success through the air and not running the ball like they would have liked, this weekend is all about regaining confidence.

"We really want to get Justin (Jensen) comfortable in the pocket and with what's going on," Christenson said. "And we just want to do things that help put that offensive unit in a lot better position and get their confidence back up. We can then open up from there, right now it's baby steps until their confidence is sky high."

With Jensen comfortable in the pocket, the Ponies can look to get that success back in the air. And with receivers Logan Connor, Corderro Strickland, Brayden Grimson and Ryan Brandt out of the slot already playing very well, it has the potential of being a very high level of success.

Casey Schaub has also handled most of the running duties for the Ponies this season. And if the Ponies are looking for more of a run game, he too will also be a factor.

"The kids are fired up about going down there and they are confident," Christenson said. "If we don't shoot ourselves in the foot with turnovers and we execute on both sides of the ball we should be ok."

The Ponies will be in Sidney tonight where they will face the Sidney Eagles at 7.