Blue Ponies thrash Panthers in Belgrade

With all of the weapons the Havre High football team has this season, it was only a matter of time before the Blue Ponies returned to the win column. And kicking off conference play, now was as good a time as any to do so.

Friday the Central A Blue Ponies took on the Belgrade Panthers in Belgrade. And after dropping three straight games, the Ponies got back on track and defeated the Panthers 47-19.

The win gives the Ponies a 2-3 record overall and a 1-0 start in the Central A. The Panthers dropped to 0-1 in conference and now sits at 0-5 overall.

It's no secret that the Ponies house a very explosive team this season. And even though the Ponies lost a week ago, they got things back on track just in time for Saturdays conference game.

"This set the pace for the rest of the conference schedule," Havre High head coach Jason Christenson said. "And getting the conference win was a big boost for the kids, especially coming off of three straight losses. We have that winning taste back in our mouth and gives the kids some confidence after playing really well."

HHS took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, but that was only the beginning, as the Ponies went on to put up 47 total points in the four frames. The Ponies added 28 points in the second quarter, seven in the third and seven in the fourth.

And Pony defense was just as impressive, only allowing three scores this weekend. The first Belgrade score came in the third quarter when the Ponies were already up 42-0, and the other two came in the fourth quarter when the Ponies had already put the road win away.

Thurman Holdsclaw led the defense with 11 solo tackles, including two for a loss. Casey Schaub grabbed six solo tackles and recovered a fumble, while Eli Hinebauch also grabbed six solo tackles, two for a loss and broke up one pass. Brandon Smith also had four tackles, while Brayden Grimson, Evan Flathers and Kameron Pribyl combined for nine solo tackles. Flathers also had a sack.

"We just try to put our best athletes in positions where they are going to be successful," Christenson said. "(We) try to put Justin Jensen in the best position as well as our receivers in the best position to execute their routes against the opposition. On defense we try to package the same thing, we try to find their best players and use our best to keep an eye on and cover their best players and play fundamental football. Our guys are finding ways to succeed."

Jensen was once again a hero on offense for the Blue Ponies. Jensen passed for four touchdowns and rushed for another. Jensen scored on a three-yard run in the first quarter, and later connected with Holdsclaw, Grimson and Ryan Brandt. Holdsclaw reeled in a pass from 25 yards and a pass from 71 yards out for scores. And Grimson grabbed a touchdown pass from six yards away, while Brandt's TD pass came from 13 yards.

But the Ponies' offense was well balanced, as they also got two rushing touchdowns from Brandt. Brandt scored on a 1-yard jaunt in the second quarter and on an 84-yard scamper in the fourth.

Jensen had another amazing day behind center, completing 21-of-23 passes for 313 yards. Jensen's 21 completions tied a school record, also held by former Blue Pony Justin Kegel. Receiving, Brandt led the Ponies with 11 receptions for 149 yards. Brandt's performance also tied a school record, joining Jerod Wirt with the 11-reception total.

Holdsclaw also grabbed three passes for 112 yards, while Grimson grabbed six receptions for 54 yards. Holdsclaw also earned a sportsmanship award given away by local Belgrade businesses.

The Ponies needed to get off to a solid start in conference play, and they did just that. They took full advantage of a struggling Belgrade team and looked good doing it with big plays on offense and defense.

Now the Ponies will look to keep the ball rolling as they prepare to host Lewistown Friday night as part of HHS's Homecoming.

Ponies 47, Belgrade 19

Havre 7 28 7 7 — 47

Belgrade 0 0 7 12 — 19

HHS — Justin Jensen 3 run (Kameron Pribyl kick)

HHS — Ryan Brandt 1 run (Pribyl kick)

HHS — Thurman Holdsclaw 25 pass from Justin Jensen (Kameron Pribyl kick)

HHS — Thurman Holdsclaw 71 pass from Jensen (kick failed)

HHS — Brayden Grimson 6 pass from Justin Jensen (BraydenGrimson pass from Jensen)

HHS — Ryan Brandt 13 pass from Justin Jensen (kick failed)

BEL — Garret Fowler 33 run (Colter Devers kick)

HHS — Ryan Brandt 84 run (kick blocked)

BEL — Colter Devers 75 run (run failed)

BEL — Dylan Marks 1 run (kick failed)

Havre Individual Statistics

Rushing – Casey Schaub 14-109, Ryan Brandt 8-90, Justin Jensen 7-11

Passing – Justin Jensen 21-23-313

Receiving – Ryan Brandt 11-149, Thurman Holdsclaw 3-112, Brayden Grimson 6-54.