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Hi-Line Athlete Profile:

Pony sophomore Ethan Carlson ready for a key role on the HHS varsity this fall

Even though it is only July, football is right around the corner and with Blue Pony Football Camp being held at the Havre High School practice field this week, the start of the season seems closer than ever.

The camp opened Monday for the Blue Ponies and head coach Ryan Gatch. In the mornings, there have been workouts for middle-school-aged players, while the evening has been reserved for the high schoolers, the guys who will actually be suiting up for HHS when the Hardin Bulldogs come calling Aug. 25.

"We have had a great turnout so far," Gatch said. "These guys are really motivated and excited to play some football, so that's been good to see. Something about this group of kids, they are always hungry to compete."

One of those players who can't wait to get back to competitive football is Havre High sophomore-to-be Ethan Carlson, an offensive lineman and defensive lineman who saw plenty of action for the Ponies last season. Freshman don't normally get a ton of playing time on varsity right away with the Ponies, but because of some injuries and his quick development, Carlson started two games along the offensive line last season, against both Belgrade and Livingston.

"It was just so much faster," Carlson said as he compared high school football to middle school. "It is just so much more competitive. But it was a lot of fun."

This season, Carlson is looking to build on that experience and turn it into a starting job on both sides of the ball. He said that he was working at both tackle and guard on the offensive side of the ball, while focusing on nose tackle defensively.

"I want to do whatever the team needs me to do," Carlson said. "So I am going to play wherever. Whatever helps us get W's."

Certainly, Carlson and the Ponies are hoping to improve on a 2017 season that saw Havre post an 0-9 record. But with around 36 players in attendance for camp, Gatch said that his team has gotten some solid work in this week.

"We have done a lot of fundamental things," Gatch said. "We have really focused on that and doing some of our installations."

Carlson said as a lineman, a big part of the focus this week has been on footwork. But in addition to his normal preparation for the season, Carlson, who said he is also recovering from a knee injury, which forced him to have surgery and sit out baseball this spring, is always trying to make sure he is back to 100 percent healthy.

So far he said, things are going well and that's a good sign, because the live bullets will start flying in a few weeks with the first practice set for Aug. 10 and the Blue-White game scheduled for Aug. 19. But, before the season gets going, the Havre Daily News caught up with Carlson following his second day of Blue Pony football camp.

HDN: What was it like for you to get to play and start as a freshman?

Carlson: "That was pretty awesome. It was quite an experience."

HDN: Do you think that playing time has helped you be more prepared for this season?

Carlson: "Definitely. It is a total confidence booster. Last year, I was nervous and now, I feel like I know what is going on. I am much more confident."

HDN: How has camp been this week?

Carlson: "It's been good. We have been doing a lot of one-on-one drills. We have worked a lot on hand placement and footwork with the offensive linemen and have been doing a lot of strikes with our hands on the defensive line. It's a little boring but important to do this early."

HDN: So what is your favorite sports team?

Carlson: "It's the New York Yankees. I know a lot of people don't like that, but that's my team. I wasn't given a choice in that matter."

HDN: What is your goal for your season?

Carlson: "It was a tough year for the Ponies last season, so at the end of the day, we just want to win some games and hopefully, find a way to make the playoffs."

 

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