Ponies eye playoff spot

Despite the fact the Havre Blue Ponies are almost assured of a playoff berth, there is still much to guard against tonight as they prepare to face the Park High Running Rangers in Livingston.

The Rangers are 0-7 on the season and are coming off of a 64-6 thrashing at the hands of the Browning Indians. Believe it or not, that fact has Havre head coach Troy Purcell a little nervous about tonight's final regular season tilt.

"This is Livingston's season right here," Purcell said. "They are 0-7 and they have absolutely nothing to lose. If they were to beat us it would make their season and give them momentum for next year. They are going to leave it all on the field against us."

The Ponies come into tonight's contest 4-3 overall and 3-1 in Central A conference play. They also come into this battle a little healthier than they have been in weeks.

"Well we are still without Steven Harman, and Daine Solomon isn't going to make the trip because of other obligations," Purcell said. "But Justin Kegel's arm has gotten a lot of better this week and the rest of the team is healthy for the first time since the Laurel game."

This late in the season, Purcell isn't going to change much on offense or defense. It pretty much comes down to his team doing what their capable of and they should leave Livingston victorious.

"We just need to be sharp and improve as the game goes on," Purcell said. "There is no such thing as staying the same in football, so if we do what we have been doing we should be fine."

The Ponies will continue to go with Levi Briese at the tailback position, but sophomore Craig Kallenberger will get the nod at fullback because Colby Mader was sick for part of this week.

It has been a tough season for the Rangers, but despite their record Purcell believes they have a very capable offense and a good quarterback in senior Kaj Springer.

"Their quarterback is very good," Purcell said. "He is really quick and he throws the ball well out of the option, so we'll have to be very sharp on defense."

The Ponies and Running Rangers will kick things off at 7:30 p.m. at Park High Stadium in Livingston. The game can be heard in Havre on 610 am KOJM.