Special Night: Blue Ponies host Glendive for annual homecoming game

There is no question, that over the past couple of weeks, the Havre High football team has improved. Unfortunately, that improvement has yet to translate over to the win column, something the Blue Ponies are hoping to change tonight against Glendive.

The Ponies (1-3) will host the Red Devils (1-3) in an Eastern A tilt that has plenty on the line in terms of playoff ramifications. The winner will be sitting in good position at 2-3, while the loser, at 1-4, will have little room for error. Havre and Glendive will kickoff tonight in Blue Pony Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7.

“It’s a big game and it’s a good matchup,” HHS head coach Ryan Gatch said. “They have lost some tough games. They lost to Livingston by one and lost a heartbreaker to Sidney last week, too. But I would categorize our loss (to Belgrade) as a heartbreaker, too, so I think both teams are going to come in really motivated.”

In terms of being motivated, the Ponies have plenty of reason to be hyped up for Glendive. For starters, it’s the annual homecoming game for HHS. But also, the team realizes how important it is for the playoff race.

“Homecoming is always a big deal,” Gatch said. “You always want to find a way to win on homecoming night and be able to look back on that down the road. But as far as the Eastern A goes, we just need to get back on track. That’s the most important thing for us, getting back to 1-0.”

In order to do that, Gatch said the Ponies needed to focus on limiting mistakes, especially when it comes to penalties and special teams, two areas that cost Havre dearly in its 10-0 loss to Belgrade.

“We have really been focused on cutting out those mistakes,” Gatch said. “Some penalties really cost us, some delay of game and formation penalties. One situation, we had a fourth-and-five and got a penalty, we still converted on fourth down, but we saw a different defense because they were expecting a pass instead of a run. If we had run that same play, on 4th-and-five, we would have gotten a different coverage and it might have been a touchdown. We had another play, where we punted and didn't line up right. So their best (punt) cover guy was one-on-one and ended up downing the ball at our one-yard line. And that’s how we got backed up, which led to a score for them. So those are little plays that sometimes you don’t see that make a huge difference.”

Last week, the Pony defense surrendered 10 points to Belgrade in the loss but gave up fewer than 200 yards overall. Against Glendive, a team that is a run heavy, the fact that Havre is allowing just 87 yards per game seems to favor HHS. But the Ponies will still have to contend with Glendive running back Nelson Crisafulli, who scored four rushing touchdowns in the loss to Livingston. The Red Devils also boast a dual-threat quarterback in Kade Hellman.

“I think that, based on the tale of the tape, it’s going to be anybody’s ballgame,” Gatch said. “But I like our chances. We are getting better and we are playing at home. But we also have had one of the best weeks of practice I have had. The other night, we had one of the best practices I have had as a football coach, so that was a really positive thing.”

Another really positive thing for the Ponies is the fact that star wide receiver and defensive back Ethan Roberts should be ready to play, after suffering a leg injury in the loss to Belgrade last week. Gatch said that others like Brock Nystrom and Bradyn Winchell, who were out against Belgrade, also had a chance to play.

“For the first time in a while we had everyone at practice this week,” Gatch said. “So that’s good to see. Everyone is getting healthy and that’s something we feel really good about.”

Roberts, who is averaging 99 yards per game as a receiver, also has five touchdown receptions and will continue to be the top option for quarterback Reese Bulkley, along with Max Olson, Hunter Lovenguth and Nystrom, should he return. Mason Dionne will continue to be the bell cow on the ground for the Ponies, he is the team’s leading rusher and has a team-high two rushing touchdowns.

Dionne also spearheads the defense from his linebacker spot. Roberts has also been a key contributor in the secondary, along with Bulkley. Both players intercepted a pass last week. Up front, the trio of Kellen Detrick, Quinn Springer and Dexter Beck has been effective stopping the run and pressure the quarterback. Another front-seven player that has stood out has been linebacker Caleb Allestad.

Gatch said he feels good about his team’s chances but also that the Ponies need to start playing winning football, sooner rather than later. Hopefully, it starts tonight at 7.

“We are getting better,” Gatch said. “But we have to start playing big-time winning football. We can’t wait anymore. We have to start doing that and I think we will this week. We are excited to play and excited for this opportunity.”

Havre Blue Ponies (1-3) vs Glendive Red Devils(1-3)

Tonight at 7 p.m.

Blue Pony Stadium

Radio: 610 KOJM AM