Ponies' home opener features an old foe

After opening up the season last weekend, with an unfortunate road loss, the Havre High football team will hopefully rebound this weekend, with a win in its home debut.

The Central A Blue Ponies opened the season with a 0-1 start, losing to Whitefish 45-24 last Saturday afternoon. And still in non-conference play, the Ponies have another tough team ahead of them. Former conference rival Butte Central is next on the Ponies' schedule. And the Ponies will host the Maroons tonight at 7 p.m. at the Blue Pony stadium in Havre.

But the Maroons also enter the weekend after a 0-1 start, losing game one of their season to the Belgrade Panthers, 33-20. The Maroons are coming off of a rare losing season a year ago, but should continue to gain momentum as the season progresses under veteran head coach Don Peoples. And after losing just two seniors from a year ago, and leaning on a very talented core of players, the Maroons should present the young Ponies with another high hurdle in week two.

Senior quarterback Brady Tippett will challenge the Blue Pony defense, and is accompanied by some high-powered weapons. Connor McGree will provide a solid set of hands from the tight end position, and Kalen Guldseth will be a deep threat from the wide receiver position. Both Guldseth and McGree have already reeled in TD passes from Tippett this season.

The HHS defense got burnt a few times for passing scores in their first loss. Thomas Gruber and Zach Plum came up with some key stops, including a Plum interception, but will have an even tougher task ahead of them tonight. If Thurman Holdsclaw, Dustin Odegard and Tyler Adams can keep pressure on Tippett throghtout the night, it should make the job a little easier for Gruber and Plum, as well as on the rest of the defensive backs. The Maroon's running game has yet to be proven dangerous, so until it does, the Ponies have to stop Butte Central and their air attack.

As far as the Blue Pony offense goes, they have already shown they can be well balanced. It is consistency they need more than anything tonight.

Dane Warp had two touchdown tosses in week one, but also had two interceptions. If he can find his targets on consistent basis, the running game will also play a factor. Holdsclaw, Plum and Gruber attract the majority of the passes, but Ned Malone adds a little depth to the passing attack. And on the ground, Holdsclaw and Tristan Manual will share the carries in attempt to turn in another balanced outing.

The Panthers defeated the Maroons with a balanced attack a week ago and let the Ponies know their game plan can be effective. The Maroons gave up a big scores on the ground from 45 and 78-yards out, while also giving up a big passing scores from 28-yards out. If the Ponies can ditch the turnovers and turn in another solid offensive performance, they could find similar results.

Last season was the first nonconference game between the Ponies and Maroons, and Butte Central pulled off a come-from-behind victory in Butte. So tonight's game is a chance for the Blue Ponies to get even. However, Havre is hoping to improve tonight after losing the hafltime lead at Whitefish last Saturday. The Pony offense was outstanding for points in last weekend's loss to the Bulldogs and head coach Jason Christensen will be looking for a little more consistency tonight against the powerful Maroons.

Tonight the Ponies (0-1) will welcome in the Maroons (0-1) for a 7 p.m. kickoff at the Blue Pony stadium in Havre.

Tonight's Havre/Butte Central Starters

Havre High 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, SR

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

Chet Shrauger, DB, SR

Zach Plum, DB, SR

Ned Malone, DB, JR

Thurman Holdsclaw, DL, SR

Tyler Adams, DL, JR

Dustin Odegard, DL, SR

JT Belcourt, DL, FR

Butte Central Starters

OFFENSE

Brady Tippett, QB, SR

Joey Joyce, RB, SR

Northey Tretheway, WR, SR

Kale Guldseth, WR, JR

Wyatt Kingston, WR, JR

Connor McGree, TE, JR

Frank Joyce, OL, SR

Kolten Lamiaux, OL, SR

Brandt Ahlborn, OL, JR

Marcus Ferriter, OL, SO

Connor Schulte, OL, JR

DEFENSE

Kaemen Richards, LB, SO

Ben Holt, LB, SO

Wyatt Kingston, LB, JR

Brady Tippett, DB, SR

Joe Joyce, DB, SR

Kale Guldseth, DB, JR

Northey Tretheway, DB, SR

Marcus Ferriter, DE, SO

Connor McGree, DE, JR

Connor Schulte, DL, JR

Frank Joyce, DL, SR

Havre High's Zach Plum races down the field during a Class A playoff game against Hamilton last November in Havre. Plum and the Blue Ponies play their home opener tonight when they host the Butte Central Maroons at 7 at Blue Pony Stadium. Butte Central and Havre were once Central A rivals, but the Maroons now play in the Southwest A.