HHS's Brandt does it all

Havre High senior Ryan Brandt, has quickly made a name for himself in Havre with his exceptional play this season. But if Brandt continues to play how he has already, his name will quickly become a household name across the state.

Brandt stands at 5-8, 170 pounds. And in the game day roster, he is listed as a running back. But with his explosive speed, big play potential and solid hands, he should truly be listed as a running back, wide receiver, kick returner

Havre High senior Ryan Brandt scored four touchdowns for the Blue Ponies in Friday night's win over Lewistown at Blue Pony Stadium.

, punt returner and touchdown extraordinaire.

With several big games already under his belt this season, Friday night had Brandt coming off of his most recent big-time performance.

Friday night at the Blue Pony stadium in Havre, Brandt was a key component in the Ponies' 49-20, conference win over the Lewistown Golden Eagles. HHS has struggled in nonconference play this season, but Friday night's win improved the Ponies to 2-0 in the Central A.

And as the season marches on, so does Brandt, as he gave the Ponies a boost with four more touchdowns on Friday. Brandt scored twice on the ground and twice through the air. His rushing scores both came from one-yard out, while his two receiving passes came from eight and seven-yards out. And posing as the Ponies dual threat, Brandt had seven carries for 79-yards and reeled in three catches for another 21-yards.

"He is a double threat weapon," Havre High head coach Jason Christenson said. "And when we have that weapon as a slot receiver that takes some pressure off our offense. The defense has to honor Ryan (Brandt) and also opens up our other weapons. He just puts the defense in conflict on who they are going to focus on, and he has really stepped up his game for us."

Just last weekend in Belgrade, Brandt had a three-touchdown weekend. He rushed eight times for 90 yards and caught 11 passes for 149 yards. His scores came on a one-yard run, a 13-yard pass and an 84-yard run. And his 11 receptions tied the Havre High record, now shared with Jerod Wirt.

When Brandt lines up in the Pony backfield there is almost no way an opposing defense can tell if the Ponies are going to run or pass the ball. And when he lines up as the slot receiver, he instantly turns into a deep threat, keeping double teams off of Thurman Holdsclaw and Brayden Grimson.

"I have to give it up to the offensive line," Brandt said. "Lately they have been stepping up a lot and I also get great blocks by (Casey) Schaub, and Justin (Jensen) gets the job done too."

And as far as scoring a touchdown goes, Brandt doesn't care how he gets the job done as long as he is helping his Blue Ponies find their way into the win column.

"It is no different to me," Brandt said. "I like being able to do both, so on the ground or through the air, I just like scoring touchdowns."

If Brandt continues to play to this caliber, he will continue to help the Ponies in a dominating fashion. There is no question that he adds depth to the Ponies offense and gives them the real dual threat capability.

"That is great for us," Brandt said. "Many teams in high school can't really do both with such success, but we really get it done both ways, in the air and on the ground."