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Tonight's the Night: Havre host Lewistown in long-awaited homecoming, rivalry game

Week Eight: Senior Night

The Havre High School football team has been waiting for this one. Tonight, the Blue Ponies will face off against their arch rival, the Lewistown Golden Eagles in Blue Pony Stadium.

Tonight's game carries a lot of weight for Havre, as it will determine its playoff future. If the Blue Ponies win the game, they will play a rematch against the Golden Eagles at home next Saturday. If Havre loses, it will play against Lewistown on the road. Lastly, if Havre loses and either Glendive or Sidney wins, HHS will miss the postseason.

But the Blue Ponies, who are also playing their homecoming game tonight, have no intentions of letting any of those losing scenarios happen. And HHS head coach Ryan Gatch is excited to see his team get back on the field for a senior night and a homecoming game to finish off the regular season.

"It'll be a fun game," said Gatch. "Lewistown is a good team and we have a lot riding on this game. Our kids will be excited because we've only had two home-games this year, so it'll be best to play a third one."

Lewistown is just ahead of Havre in Eastern A standings. The Golden Eagles are 4-3 on the season, while Havre is 3-4. A win over Lewistown will propel the Ponies into fourth place in the Eastern A. On top of that, a rivalry-game is always exciting to witness.

For Havre, both sides of the ball will have to be at their best throughout the entire game and the Ponies have some great players who can change the game.

Offensively, Havre's passing game has been in good hands under senior quarterback Reese Bulkley, who has often connected to receivers for great plays when it counts. But Bulkley is a great runner and receiver when needed, too. After all, there is a reason he has been dubbed "Mr. Versatility."

The Blue Pony run game has been put in some very capable hands, as well. Senior running back Mason Dionne and junior running back Kellen Detrick have made a big impact on the HHS offense. Dionne has quite a few games where he has rushed for over 100 yards and Detrick has been known to make great plays. Detrick has scored a fair number of touchdowns in the season, including two against Billings Central the week prior.

Defensively, Havre has made some noise this year. Players like senior lineman Quinn Springer and Detrick, who is a lineman as well, have wreaked some havoc on offensive fronts. It is quite often one will find Springer or Detrick make a big play defensively when it counts, whether it be sacks or tackles-for-loss. Sophomore Orion Thivierge has also been a stout two-way player for Havre.

But the Blue Pony defense will need to prepare for Lewistown's passing attack. Havre's passing defense has had some struggles this season and have given up deep passing plays for scores. If the Ponies can contain the Golden Eagles' air game, then Havre can ground the Eagles and have another key advantage.

Gatch knows Lewistown's offense is one that should not be taken lightly and he is prepared to get his team in the right mindset to stay one step ahead.

"Lewistown has a good quarterback and wide receiving core," Gatch said. "They'll throw the ball around a little bit. They'll try to get in there, run the ball and Coach Feller, the veteran coach he is, he'll have them lined up. They have a couple of old Northern Lights coaches down there, so they're real familiar with our staff and everything."

The Golden Eagles will be ready to show the Ponies what they have got. An offense that has lit up defenses and a front seven, that has put offenses to a halt, is enough to take control of the game.

But, Lewistown has struggled against consistent offenses that have been able to get downfield and score throughout the majority of the game. On top of that, the Golden Eagles defense will have to contain a powerful Blue Pony run-game. Both teams will have to capitalize on every opportunity to stay ahead in the game.

With both teams having their advantages and flaws, a close game is likely in store. But, naturally, whichever team produces the least mistakes and makes every play count will stay one step ahead. Tonight's game is going to be a slugfest and both sides of the ball on Havre and Lewistown will be ready to throw down.

HHS Senior lineman John South is looking to make some noise against the Golden Eagles tonight and has his goals set in place.

"I just got to fly around and just have as much fun as possible," said South. "Hopefully, we get the win."

Havre's playoff future rests on tonight's outcome. With a win, Havre plays Lewistown in a home game rematch at Blue Pony Stadium. In a losing situation, the Ponies will travel to play the Golden Eagles on the road or possibly miss the postseason, given if Glendive or Sidney win.

It all comes down to tonight. The Blue Ponies kick off against the Lewistown Golden Eagles at 7 in Blue Pony Stadium.

Havre Blue Ponies (3-4) vs Lewistown Eagles (4-3)

Tonight at 7 p.m.

at Blue Pony Stadium

Radio: 610 KOJM AM

 

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