Five things to watch in high school football and volleyball on the Hi-Line this season

Summer isn't over just yet. But, fall sports are here, and it's going to be another fun, exciting year on the Hi-Line. Football and volleyball are always fun, and both sports get underway in our coverage area this weekend, so get your popcorn, sit back and enjoy the show.

Here are five things to keep an eye on in local high school football and volleyball this fall.

1. Pony power on the court

Havre made a run all the way to the Class A state championship match last November. The Ponies eventually lost twice to Billings Central to finish second, their best finish in volleyball in more than a decade. Now, Havre returns a stacked rotation, including Yelena Miller, Avery Carlson, Molly Huse and Kyana Jarvis among many, many others. Indeed, the Ponies are arguably the most talented and experienced team in Class A this fall, making them not only the Eastern A favorite, but a legitimate contender to win a coveted state championship come November in Bozeman.

2. New era for HHS football

The Havre football team has had some struggles in recent years, but the Ponies are looking forward and not back come this fall. Jake Eldridge is the new head coach at HHS this fall. He was formally an All-American player at MSU-Northern, a coach there for many years, and the former head man at Box Elder. Now Eldridge looks to lead a talented Pony roster to new heights, and while Havre plays in the daunting Eastern A, the Ponies get four games at home against playoff teams from a year ago. And no matter the outcomes, it is going to be an exciting year for HHS football.

3. Can Fort Benton keep going?

The last three fall sports seasons have been pretty awesome in Fort Benton. The football team has gone to three straight state semifinal games, while the volleyball team has won three straight divisional championships. And while they say all good things must come to an end, don't be surprised if it doesn't end for Fort Benton, who will be loaded on the court and the gridiron again.

4. Big Sandy football's streak

Five playoff appearances and three straight trips to the Class C Six-Man semifinals are what the Big Sandy football team has going right now. And with big numbers, and stars like Braydon Cline, Kody Strutz and Layne Demontiney back again this season, the Pioneers are poised for another huge fall. They'll certainly be the favorite to win the Northern Division of the Six-Man and, with such a deep roster, they'll certainly contend for a state title they've been chasing for so long now.

5. How many playoff teams will there be?

Football on the Hi-Line is always really good. And this fall could be even better. Havre High expects to contend for a playoff spot this fall, while Big Sandy seems like a lock in Six-Man. Chinook and Fort Benton will also have a strong chance of making the Northern C playoffs this fall, while teams like North Star, and CJI will be knocking on the door as well, giving the area and its football-rich traditions plenty to look forward to when the postseason arrives.