Playoff Football Returns to Blue Pony Stadium

The Class A football postseason is here and the first-round matchups are set to kick off Saturday. It has been a big season across the Class A spectrum.

But one team has worked hard for years to make it back to the postseason. The team has been through many ups and downs within the past few seasons. They did not back down in the face of adversity and instead took it head on.

This team has put forward incredible progress to make it back to the Class A playoffs.

And that team is the Havre Blue Ponies, who host Lewistown in a Class A first-round game Saturday.

The Blue Ponies (4-4) have had their fair share of tough seasons.

In the 2017 season, Havre did not have a single win on its record. The Ponies fell to the bottom of the Eastern A and were hoping for more progress in 2018.

Last season did bring more wins. The season opener against the Hardin Bulldogs saw Havre shut out the Bulldogs and start its season off on a good note. But, six straight losses held the Ponies back once again and the only other win of the season was against Park on the road. The improvement was there, but the team had yet to flourish.

Then came the this fall.

After a close loss to the Sidney Eagles in the season-opener, the Ponies racked up two straight wins against Glendive and Hardin and that propelled Havre back into the race to the postseason. A forfeit by Livingston granted the Blue Ponies another win and after a two-week break, Havre had one objective - win.

Though the Ponies would fall to Billings Central, the team still had a shot at the postseason with a win over Lewistown. Luckily, Havre got to play the Golden Eagles at Blue Pony Stadium and the Ponies toppled the Eagles (4-4) 30-8 last Friday.

Now, the Blue Ponies are back in the playoffs after a long drought. HHS head coach Ryan Gatch is excited to be back in the postseason.

"It feels great," said Gatch. "Anytime you got a good team with players doing the right things, it's an awesome feeling. Hopefully we can keep rolling with that and make the outcome we want. It's nice hitting the standards."

After beating the Eagles at home last Friday, Havre will get a shot to do it once again Saturday at 1 p.m. in Blue Pony Stadium. The rematch will be another great opportunity for the Ponies to capitalize on the success they have had in the season and move forward. A playoff appearance this year is big for the team, fans and community that have supported the program for so long. For many, it is great to be back in the postseason.

For Havre, the players are hungry and ready to shake things up in the playoffs. A big win over Lewistown is a great motivator to do it once more and with the performance the Ponies put up last week, it will be a great game to witness.

The Blue Pony run-game put up the best showing of the season last Friday against the Eagles. Senior running back Mason Dionne ravaged the Lewistown defense and ended the night with two touchdowns and 36 carries for 210 yards. On top of that, junior running back Kellen Detrick put up some nice numbers with eight carries for 88 yards, as well as a big 51 yard touchdown run.

Havre will look to use its run-game to take advantage of the game and hopefully repeat the big game it had in its previous match against Lewistown. But Dionne and Detrick have another peer that can make some big plays, too, in senior quarterback Reese Bulkley.

Bulkley is a quarterback that can do many things. His versatility has opened up many opportunities for the Ponies all season. Whether its keeping the ball and using his legs or taking a spot at receiver to make a crucial catch, Bulkley is a player that can work wherever he is needed. Even better, Bulkley had a big defensive game against the Eagles, too. Bulkley came away with two interceptions and a fumble against Lewistown.

Meanwhile, the Eagles totaled five turnovers against the Ponies last Friday. Havre's defense was a force and will aim to continue its dominance once more in the rematch. In total, the Blue Pony defense racked up 17 tackles, 22 assists, one sack, two tackles-for-loss, two interceptions and three fumbles. The clinic Havre put up proves how scary the defense can be at its full potential.

But Gatch knows Lewistown will be working hard to make sure turnovers are kept to a minimum.

"We know they're gonna work on cleaning up their turnovers," said Gatch. "Anytime you create five turnovers on the day, you're going to be working on ball security and turnover alertness and awareness. I know Lewistown is down there working hard."

The Eagles have a drive to get revenge on the Ponies after the loss and Lewistown is ready for another chance to take down Havre on its home field. The first-round game is set to go and both teams will look to win to advance in the Class A playoffs.

Havre High kicks off against Lewistown Saturday at 1 p.m. in Blue Pony Stadium. The winner advances to play Dillon next week in Dillon.

Class A Playoffs

Havre Blue Ponies vs Lewistown Eagles

Saturday at 1 p.m.

at Blue Pony Stadium

Radio: 610 KOJM AM

(4-4)