Blue Ponies look for momentum in final road game of 2020

Another week means another tough game for the Havre High football team. After picking up their first win of the 2020 season last Friday against the Hardin Bulldogs, the Blue Ponies will be looking to carry over that energy and intensity to the field against another challenging Eastern A opponent on the road.

Havre will be meeting with the Sidney Eagles tonight at 6 p.m. in Sidney for the second-to-last game of the year. The road has often not been kind to the Ponies, but in Eagles country, road-games have not been on good terms for HHS, so tonight will be a climb for the blue and white.

Havre head coach Ryan Gatch is looking forward to the match down in Sidney.

"Anytime you have an opportunity to go and play in a place like Sidney, it's going to be a hard-fought game," Gatch said. "We're going to have to play good football, eliminate mistakes and get after them a little bit. It's a tough place to play and there's a lot of tradition over there, so it's going to be a fun matchup for us."

And the Ponies will be lining up some tough talent. Defensively, seniors Brock Nystrom, Kellen Detrick and Bradyn Winchell will all be primed to put a stop to the Hardin offense. Nystrom has been lockdown at his corner position, while Detrick and Winchell have been great sources of pressure and control for the passing and rushing attack that comes their way.

Offensively, junior quarterback Trenton Maloughney will be using his improvements in the pocket to help push the Blue Pony passing game, while Detrick and Crawford Terry will be other key pieces to help drive down the field. Junior Orion Thivierge will be aiming at a great game as a wide receiver, too. But there are other elements that will tie into Havre's game Friday, too.

As for the Eagles, Gatch sees plenty of talent spread across the opposing roster in 2020.

"Sidney has a good quarterback and a really good tailback/fullback," Gatch said. "His last name is Waters. He's a good tailback/fullback. They have a number of key positions and have a lot of guys coming back. Last year, they had 18 juniors on their team. I'm guessing they have at least 15 seniors lining up this year, if not more. They're a good, tough football team."

Throughout the past seasons, Sidney has always had Havre come down to its turf to battle, often with the Eagles getting the win. It is a harsh environment to play in, especially when the team you're playing has a track-record of coming out with the win, no matter how close or far the scoreboard is between the two teams. Havre will have to steel its nerves and give it its all to come out with a win against a scrappy and senior-stacked Eagles team.

But despite what may transpire tonight, Gatch is simply glad to have an opportunity to play this season.

"Each and every day, I'm getting to be with them," Gatch said. "I'm fortunate and I feel very lucky and am very fortunate to be the head coach for Havre High football surrounded by great people on a daily basis. Every day is a special day for us. You just never know how long this will be able to ride out, so every day is a privilege with our players."

The Blue Ponies (1-4) head down to play the Sidney Eagles tonight at 6 p.m. in Sidney to try and pick up their second straight win of the season, which has just two games left.

Tonight at 6 p.m.

in Sidney

Radio: 610 KOJM AM/Stream: NFHS.com