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Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Mason Dionne, Havre High Football

Summer football fun for Havre's Dionne

It's not every day that a freshman starts for the Havre High football team, but last season, that's exactly what Mason Dionne did.

Dionne, who was a starting linebacker and part-time running back for the Blue Ponies a season ago, now looks to take on a bigger role for the team in 2017. Gone is senior Jase Stokes, who took the majority of carries in the backfield and was also the team's leading rusher. Now, Dionne will try to fill that role, not only on offense, where he will share carries with Jazz Schroeder, but at linebacker as well.

There is no question, that despite being a sophomore, Dionne will be expected to one of the Ponies best players, not only on offense, but especially on defense. This summer, Dionne has been part of a large contingent of Havre players that is spending time at organized team activities and is taking part in the Blue Pony Football Camp, which is behind held each this week.

Yet, Dionne's talents don't limit him only to football. In fact, he was one of the top young wrestlers for the Ponies a year ago, as he took third-place in that 152-pound weight class in 2017. Dionne said he also plans to attend a wrestling camp in Oregon this summer.

But even though wrestling might be on his mind, right now Dionne is focused on football. The sophomore-to-be said he has been a regular participant at the football team's organized team activities and is attending the camp this week. He said he will also be going to Bozeman with his teammates for a fifth camp.

For Dionne, all the work being done is simply about getting better. Havre failed to make the playoffs last season, when he was a freshman and he said the team is really determined to try and get back there.

Yet, in order to do that, players like Dionne will need to take the next step in their development under head coach Ryan Gatch, who said he has close to 30 kids at camp and has gotten close to those same numbers during his OTAs.

The Blue Pony team camp has always been a signal that football season is right around the corner. The Ponies will be on the field for at least more days, but after Tuesday's practice, the Havre Daily caught up Dionne for five questions.

HDN: Looking back, how did your freshman season help with your development?

Dionne: "I think it helped with my vision and getting my footing right when you tackle and stuff like that. I learned what to do as a linebacker."

HDN: How will the experience you gained as a freshman help you on the field this year?

Dionne: "I think it will help me out a lot. I have been working out and doing everything this summer, so I am really excited about next year."

HDN: How have the OTAs been doing?

Dionne: "It has been really fun. I think that it is better than last year. I have been laughing a lot more and having more fun with it."

HDN: Besides wrestling and football, what are you doing this summer, what do you do for fun?

Dionne: "I like to go out on the jet ski. That's really about it."

HDN: What are you most looking forward to this season?

Dionne: "I think I am just looking forward to having the season start and working hard ... to try and win. And hopefully, we can get into playoffs, that was something I didn't get to do as a freshman."

 

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