Friday Night Lights: The Night They Dream About

There is something special about playing football at Havre High and more than that, there is something special about playing on Friday nights, under the lights, at Blue Pony Stadium.

For those who have experienced it, there is little question, that the atmosphere inside Blue Pony Stadium is second to none, at least when it comes to high school football in Montana, and for six Havre football players, the final chance to step onto the field as a player, comes tonight against Miles City, on senior night.

"It's going to be emotional," Tony Antley said. "It has been a pretty emotional week between the players and the coaches. I am going to be sad. It's going to be hard knowing the next time that I want to go to Blue Pony, I will have to buy a ticket."

While the 2018 season hasn't gone exactly as planned for the Ponies and their senior class, Havre does have a chance to finish things on a high note. HHS defeated Livingston last week, 27-16, to get its first road win since 2016 and if the Ponies can upset playoff-bound Miles City, they will have their first winning streak since 2016, too.

"It was great to get a win in our final road game," Ethan Roberts said. "Making that trip and winning on their senior night (Livingston) felt great. But Miles City is also a really important game. This is one that would mean a lot of all of us."

Roberts, who is also a standout hockey player, almost didn't play football this season. However, the wide receiver/defensive back said he was glad that he did and that he was going to miss Friday nights in front of the hometown fans.

"It's crazy," Roberts said of Blue Pony Stadium. "Especially the student section. You also come in and the cars are honking. It's pretty fun."

Fellow senior Logan Twombly, who became a first-time starter along the offensive line this season at center, also said he is going to miss playing under the lights.

"It has been amazing," Twombly said. "I love the atmosphere and I love how many people come out and support us. Every time, before the national anthem, I look around and see everybody out there and try to take it all in. It's just one a kind."

Outside of the stadium, Twombly said, he was going to miss going to miss his teammates, especially his fellow seniors, which include Roberts, Antley, Caleb Allestad, Brandon Shaw and Kollin Verploegen.

"The other thing I will miss is my teammates," Twombly said. "We have all worked so hard this season and we are all working as hard as we can to try and get a win this week. We have a brotherhood and a family atmosphere that I am going to really miss."

Antley also said he would miss the relationships he has built while playing football. But he is also motivated to try and wrap up his days as a Blue Pony, with a win on senior night.

"I have just tried to give it my all and give 110 percent in practice," Antley said. "I think we all are. A win this week would mean a lot. Miles City is a very good playoff team. They beat Sidney last week and have beat some other really good teams, so it would be a nice moment to close it out with a win."

Twombly agreed.

"Knowing it's my last game," Twombly said. "I am going to come out with my hair on fire and just play as hard as I can. It's something we could remember and I think we are all focused on winning and working as hard as we can in practice."

Win or lose, the 2018 Havre seniors will take part in the annual Havre football tradition of walking the field, end zone to end zone, one last time after the game. It's always an emotional moment and one that shows the pride every Havre player takes in being a Blue Pony.

"It's going to be sad," Twombly said. "Knowing that it will be the last time I get to be on the field as a player. But I am also going to be proud of myself for sticking through it and finishing it."