Ponies set for crucial battle in Lewistown

The number one goal for the Havre High football team at the start of the season was to win the Central A conference championship. That goal took a hit last Friday night when the Blue Ponies lost at home to the powerful Belgrade Panthers.

But, the season is far from over, and Havre still has their sights set on the goals the Ponies set out to achieve back in August, and that includes getting back to the Class A playoffs. And to do that for sure, a win over archrival Lewistown would be huge, as it would assure HHS of at least the No. 2 seed in the Central A.

To get that second seed, the Blue Ponies will need to knock off Lewistown on the road tonight in crucial Central A showdown. The Eagles will be looking for their first win against the Ponies since 2007 after losing the previous six games to Havre. In all, HHS has won 10 of the last 12 games in the series. Kickoff is set for 7 tonight in Lewistown.

HHS comes into the game with a 2-4 overall record and a 1-1 mark in conference play. Meanwhile, the Eagles come into the game with a 3-2 overall record but are also 1-1 in the conference as well.

Havre head coach Jason Christenson knows that even though his team has dominated the series recently and has not lost in Lewistown since 2002, winning in Lewistown is never an easy task.

“It’s tough to win in Lewistown,” Christenson said. “They have a great tradition and they always play hard but they play especially hard in front on their home fans. It’s always a tough game but we are just going to go down there and play as hard as we can and see if we can get a win.”

Both teams come into the rivalry game fresh off losses to Belgrade. Havre lost to Belgrade last Friday night in Havre by the score of 40-27. The Eagles, on the other hand, were narrowly defeated by the Panthers Sept. 26, 42-35.

Both games are why Havre and Lewistown are playing for second in the Central A, but the chance to host a Class A state playoff game should still provide plenty of motivation for each team.

“Taking second in our league assures us of a home playoff game,” Christenson said. “You always want to start out with a home game in the playoffs. It’s a bit of an advantage to sleep in your own bed so it’s really important and this game is for that No. 2 seed.”

Both teams will bring talented offenses into the game, but the Lewistown offense is one based on balance, whereas the Ponies focus is more on throwing the football.

At quarterback for the Eagles this week will be James Derheim, who has thrown for an average of 177 yards per game to go along with 10 touchdown passes and four interceptions. He also has 152 yards rushing and a team-high four rushing touchdowns.

Derheim’s top target in the passing game is speedster Brock Butcher, who won the Class A state championship in the 200-meter dash last spring. So far this season, Butcher has caught 16 passes for 261 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Devin Blythe also plays a key role and has been productive this season with 312 rushing yards and one touchdown.

“One thing about Lewistown is they are a very balanced offense,” Christenson said. “They have some very good athletes and they do a good job of getting them the ball. The biggest thing for us is going to be limiting the big plays.”

When the Ponies have the football they will be led by All-State quarterback Dane Warp, who has completed 69.7 percent of his passes this season for 1,799 yards and 17 touchdown passes. When he drops back to throw, Warp will have a number of targets that he can go to including the Ponies’ leading receiver Parker Filius, who has caught a team-high 35 passes for 495 yards and five touchdowns.

Isaac Warp will also play a key role in the HHS passing game and will look to continue to build on his stellar sophomore campaign that has already produced 28 receptions for 434 yards and five touchdowns. The Ponies will also look to get the ball to Jase Stokes, who had eight receptions for 140 yards and two rushing touchdowns last week against Belgrade.

“We need to be able to protect this week,” Christenson said. “Historically, Lewistown has always brought a lot of pressure and I am sure they will try to do the same thing. So we need to do a good job of protecting.”

Defensively, the Ponies will be led by Stokes, who mans the middle linebacker spot and leads the team in tackles with 62 through six games. Filius will also play a key role from the safety position on defense, where he has 36 tackles and four forced fumbles.

One key factor this week, and every week for that matter, will be turnovers and penalties, two things that have hurt the Ponies all season. Against Belgrade, HHS had four turnovers, two of which were converted into Panther touchdowns. Belgrade, on the other hand, had just one turnover.

“Turnovers are going to be huge,” Christenson said. “We have to take care of the football and we have to do a good job of minimizing the penalties and the mental mistakes. But, limiting turnovers will be important.”

Regardless of how they do it, the Ponies just need to get a win, otherwise they will be packing their bags and hitting the road for the first round of the playoffs. That’s something Havre doesn’t want to do, and a win tonight in Lewistown would ensure that doesn’t happen.

Kickoff between Havre and Lewistown is set for 7 tonight in Lewistown. This is Havre’s final road game of the regular season. The Ponies wrap up the season with the home games against Polson Oct. 17 and Browning Oct. 24.