Pony matmen host Cowboys tonight in the HHS corral

Throughout the season, the Havre High wrestling team faces its share of Class A and Class AA programs in preparation for the postseason. But the Blue Ponies also face a tough pool of Class B-C teams that also give them a run for their money.

Tonight, the Ponies were scheduled to face two more programs out of the B-C ranks, but will face one squad instead.

Havre's David Borris (top) takes down a CMR wrestler during a dual meet Tuesday night in Havre. The Ponies have their home finale tonight when they dual Conrad at 6.

Two-time defending state champion Forsyth had to cancel, leaving the Conrad Cowboys the lone team coming to the Havre High gymnasium tonight. The Ponies will host the Cowboys for a dual at 6 p.m., but without the Doggies of Forsyth in attendance, the dual won't be quite as competitive as fans and grapplers previously thought.

"They (Cowboys)will come at us and bring it." Havre High head coach Scott Filius said. "They are coached to compete and to expect to win, so the matches should be competitive even though the dual won't be."

Havre is operating at full strength, and should record another team win, just days after defeating the Class AA CMR Rustlers in a home dual. The once-powerful Cowboys are limited in their numbers, housing just about a dozen kids on the roster this season, and leaving plenty of points on the mat with open weights.

Keegan Kennelly (98), Logan Pleninger (105), Grayson Brenna (112), Dylan Stewart (119), Thomas Gruber (130), Gilbert Bara (135), Kody Pribyl (140), Gunnar Aageson (145), Kage Hansen (152), David Borris (160), Jake Williams (171), Grant Pattison (189), Tyler Adams (215) and Dustin Odegard (HWT) made up the last lineup last time out for the Ponies, and coach Filius isn't looking to shake things up much, or any for the weekend.

And while HHS is executing at a high level, they know they will run into some very tough individuals. The Ponies should run away with the team points, especially with Conrad's open weights, but a Conrad grappler or two could steal some matches from the Class A powerhouse.

Morgan Koenig (119) highlights the Cowboy lineup, ranked No. 5 in the last power poll. But Brandon French (145), Garrett Moritz (152), and Justin Ratzburg (215) also garnered a spot in the rankings early in the season. The Cowboys will also bring James DeBoo (119), Blaine Berg (125) Tyler Richter (135), Dakota Suta (135), Tyler Schultz (145), and Bryan Barker (145) to face the Ponies.

"We have seen them (Cowboys) a couple of times," Filius said. "And they are short handed. But the kids they do have, we expect them to be very scrappy."

Tonight is also senior night for the Ponies. Bara and Pattison will be honored, while Bara is expected to compete and Pattison is not. The Cowboys are not expected to bring a 189-pounder. Bara will look for a win in his final home match, while Pattison ended his HHS home career with a win over his CMR opponent.

The Ponies will host the Cowboys tonight at 6 p.m.