From the Fringe: It was a great fall on the Hi-Line, and I'm sure winter will be just as good

It may feel like fall hasn't even ended yet. Or, it might feel like winter has already been around for a long while. But whichever way it feels, one thing is for sure, the little lull in Hi-Line sports, officially ends this weekend.

This weekend marks the official beginning of the 2022-23 winter sports season. And it will be an exciting one.

But, before we say hello to basketball, wrestling, swimming and hockey, we should say farewell to a great fall.

This past fall was so exciting around these parts. On the football field, it all culminated with Big Sandy's state championship in Six-Man football. But the Pioneers weren't the only gridiron powerhouse this season.

The Havre Blue Ponies made a triumphant return to the playoffs, while Chinook, CJI and North Star made the postseason as well. Yes, with that many qualifiers, this football season was highly successful.

So too was the fall on the volleyball court.

For the second year in a row, the Havre Blue Ponies reached the Class A state championship match and had an incredible season once again. Chinook, Fort Benton and others had great seasons as well, proving once again that the Hi-Line was a sports hotbed again this fall.

Having said that, congrats to all the coaches and players who made the fall so memorable.

Now though, we're on to winter, and it will be a big one. Basketball and wrestling is always huge on the Hi-Line and the next three months will be no different. Add in Havre High swimming and it's going to be one red-hot winter, no matter how cold and snowy it is outside.

Good luck to all the winter sports coaches and players, officials and fans. Have a great season.