Ponies ready to cut down Loggers

In the midst of the conference portion of their schedule, the Havre High Blue Ponies will face another non conference opponent at home tonight.

But at this point, it doesn't matter who the Blue Ponies are facing, as wins of any kind are very important moving forward.

Tonight at Blue Pony Stadium in Havre, the Ponies will host the Libby Loggers at 6 p.m. The Ponies are 2-3 overall through

Havre High's Thomas Gruber (left) races towards the endzone during a Class A football game against Butte Central last month in Havre. The Blue Ponies are home tonight to face the Northwest A Libby Loggers in a nonconference showdown at Blue Pony Stadium. Tonight's game kicks off at 6 p.m.

the first six weeks of the season, and 1-1 through the first two weeks of their Central A conference schedule.

But after two straight conference games, the Ponies will play their final non conference game of the regular season, hosting the always tough and dangerous Loggers.

"It doesn't really matter who we play," Havre High head coach Jason Christenson said. "This is a home game and it doesn't matter who our opponent is, because whoever comes to our house, we want to play them tough and ultimately, get a win."

And if the Ponies want to get the win tonight, then a lot will ride how they take on the Logger's quarterback Jared Winslow.

Winslow is a true dual threat, with a canon for an arm, and the running ability of most backs the Ponies will face. Libby is a solid program overall, but Winslow is the key to their success, and the HHS defensive backs have to step up. When Winslow is on the run, his receivers break their routes and find the open space. Zach Plum, Thomas Gruber, Trevor Jensen (starting in place of Chet Shrauger) and Ned Malone have to keep the receivers in front of them, and can't break on a running Winslow to early. Winslow will hit his receiver down field for big scores.

Coach Christenson and the defense really focused on what they call their scramble rules in practice, and are fully prepared for a running QB.

"He is very slippery and has great feet," Christenson said. "He makes things happen with his legs and arm, and the way he scrambles and runs around, he makes his receivers better. He gets a lot of plays that way, where his scrambling causes the defensive backs to lose the receivers, and he will hit them down field. He has a heck of an arm, and they put him to work. The kids have been working very hard at that (scramble rules) this week in practice, so we will see how it goes."

The Ponies will also look to limit the running game if they can put a lid on Winslow. Skylar Higareda and DJ Maefau will handle the majority of the rush attempts, and can also get the offense rolling if the Ponies can't contain them.

"We have covered all of our bases," Christenson said. "They still have a good running game, but their quarterback has been the majority of our focus."

And as far as offense goes this week, the Ponies will get their passing plays. They thrive behind quarterback Dane warp and his targets, but the Ponies are still striving for a rushing game. Thurman Holdsclaw will get his carries, and will look to make his way down field and into the end zone. Tristan Manuel will also be a factor, but still coming off of an injury, Jordan Schroeder will also be utilized in the running game this weekend.

But the HHS offense will have their hands full against a defense that loves to rush with linebackers from all over the field. But if the running game does get going, it will help Warp ditch the pressure, as he has been sacked way too many times already this season.

"I think we are probably near the bottom of the state for rush statistics," Christenson said. "So yeah, we are still stressing a balanced offense. Week after week, we can't keep relying on just the pass, and we have to establish some sort of running game if we want to succeed later in the season and hopefully into the playoffs.

"The offensive line got a little reward after the game last week, giving up just one sack," Christenson added. "So hopefully they got a good taste in their mouths for what they can accomplish. Hopefully that is contagious with these young kids. They are still coming into their own, and they are veterans now, they are still making young mistakes."

If the pieces come together, the Ponies can come away with another win tonight. The Loggers are tough, and will give the Ponies a run for their money tonight at 6 p.m. at the Blue Pony stadium in Havre. HHS closes out its home schedule next Friday night against Browning. The Ponies finish the 2012 season on the road at the Livingston Rangers.

HAVRE STARTERS

OFFENSE

Dane Warp, QB, FR

Tristan Manuel, RB, JR

Thurman Holdsclaw, RB, SR

Zach Plum, WR, SR

Thomas Gruber, WR, JR

Ned Malone, WR, JR

Jake Williams, TE, JR

Dustin Odegard, OL, JR

Travis Adams, OL, FR

Ruben Stewart, OL, SO

Tyler Adams, OL, JR

Rocky Kuhr, OL, SO

DEFENSE

Tyrell Pierce, LB, SO

Jordan Schroeder, LB, SO

Jake Williams, LB, JR

Trevor Jensen, DB, FR

Zach Plum, DB, SR

Ned Malone, DB, JR

Thurman Holdsclaw, DL, SR

Tyler Adams, DL, JR

Dustin Odegard, DL, JR

JT Belcourt, DL, FR

LIBBY STARTERS

OFFENSE

Jared Winslow QB

Skylar Higareda RB

DJ Maefau RB

Will Reichel WR

Danny Leggins WR

Craig Nelson TE

Tarasik Krisanov OL

Josh Bowers OL

Austin Marshal OL

Michael Curtiss OL

Cooper Brown OL

DEFENSE

DJ Maefau LB

Josh Bowers LB

Barak Lapka C

Lane Luscher C

Danny Leggins SS

Jared Winslow FS

Sylar Higareda DE

Dalton Brown DE

Tarasik Krisanov DT

Gage Cichosz DT

Craig Nelson NG