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Red Devils hold off Blue Ponies in Glendive

The Havre High football team traveled almost to the end of the state to take on Glendive Friday night, but the Blue Ponies long trip ended up being for not, as Glendive found a way to win on its home turf.

The two Eastern A rivals played a back-and-forth game, with the lead changing hands three different times. But in the end, the Red Devils had just enough to rally from a 4-point deficit in the third quarter to win 36-26. The Ponies (0-5) will return to Havre for homecoming Friday night against Sidney (5-0).

On a positive note, before Friday’s game, the Ponies had yet to hold a lead this season, but got an early 7-0 edge on Glendive following a three-yard touchdown run by Mason Dionne.

Cade Dockter answered for the Red Devils, hitting pay dirt from three yards out to tie the score at 7-7.

“We opened up the game and systematically drove the ball down the field on them,” HHS head coach Ryan Gatch said, “so that was pretty nice. We used our run-pass combination and it was nice to see us execute. We know we can do that stuff at times, it’s just a matter of doing that all the time.”

In the second quarter, Glendive asserted its will offensively and got another rushing touchdown from Karsen Kelly, before Dockter found Robby Keiser from four yards out for a touchdown reception, giving the Red Devils a 22-7 halftime lead.

“They ended up running a lot of plays,” Gatch said, “and they wore us down a little bit and we got behind a little bit, but we were still right in the game.”

However, in the third quarter, the Ponies came out firing. Trey Murphy connected with Ethan Roberts on a 31-yard touchdown pass, making the score 22-13. After getting the ball back on a fumble, Havre scored again, this time on a 17-yard run from Dionne, trimming the deficit to 22-20. Before the stanza was over, the Ponies would strike again, as Murphy hooked up with Roberts on a 45-yard touchdown pass, giving HHS the lead at 26-22.

“In the second half, we came out and set the tone,” Gatch said. “We got some things going and recovered a fumble and were able to score right away and get some momentum back on our side. So that was fun to see us go out and compete and have a chance to win in the fourth quarter.”

Unfortunately for Havre, the Ponies couldn’t hold the lead long.

Glendive responded right away after falling behind and reclaimed the lead on an 11-yard touchdown run from Dockter. Then, in the final stanza, Glendive put the game away for good when Nelson Crisasulli scored on a 10-yard touchdown run, giving the Red Devils a 36-26 advantage.

“36 points, that’s just too much,” Gatch said. “If we hadn’t had a kick blocked, we might have still been within seven or eight there, but I was pleased with the way the kids fought and competed. They were a lot more diligent than they have been.”

Despite the loss, Murphy racked up 282 yards through the air, completing 20-of-33 passes, while throwing two touchdowns and three interceptions. Murphy’s receivers also put up big numbers, as Ivar Aageson caught 12 passes for 138 yards; Roberts also pitched in with seven receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns and Dionne added 40 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

“The best thing was that we were able to pass protect,” Gatch said. “Trey didn’t have guys draped all over him, so we were able to get some things going and both Ivar and Ethan did a nice job of catching the ball.”

Cade Dockter was the key player for the Red Devils, running the ball 17 times for 126 yards. He also scored three rushing touchdowns and also pitched in with a touchdown pass. For the game, Havre outgained Glendive 339-335, but the Ponies turned the ball over five times compared to one for the Red Devils.

Defensively, Roberts was also a driving force for the Ponies with eight tackles, a sack and three tackles for loss. Tony Antley also had a big game for HHS at defensive tackle with four total tackles and three tackles for loss.

Havre will be back in action Friday at home against Sidney.

Glendive 36, Havre 26

Havre 7 0 19 0 - 26

Glendive 7 15 6 8 - 36

H: Mason Dionne 3 run (Dawson Kinsella kick)

G: Cade Dockter 3 run (John Egan kick)

G: Karsen Kelly 3 run (Egan kick)

G: Robby Keiser 4 pass from Dockter (Dockter run)

H: Ethan Roberts 31 pass from Trey Murphy (kick blocked)

H: Dionne 17 run (Kinsella kick)

H: Roberts 45 pass from Murphy (kick blocked)

G: Dockter 11 run (run failed)

G: Nelson Crisasulli 10 run (Egan pass from Dockter)

Havre Individual stats

Passing - Trey Murphy 20-33 282.

Rushing - Mason Dionne 20-40; Jeremiah Hughes 5-16; Trey Murphy 2 (-2); Ethan Roberts 2, (-5).

Receiving - Ivar Aageson 12-138; Ethan Roberts 7-130; Jacob Irvin 1-14.

 

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