Ponies face high stakes in Belgrade

The Havre High football team has surpassed the midway point of the 2013 football season. And while the postseason is still at least four weeks away, the Blue Ponies play an extremely important conference game tonight.

Playing on the road, the Central A Ponies (2-2-1, 1-0) will face the conference favorite Belgrade Panthers in Belgrade at 7. Anything is still possible in the conference standings as the rest of the regular season unfolds, but right now, this game looks like it could play a critical role in who ends up winning the Central A title.

“Just to face a top conference opponent like Belgrade,” Havre High head coach Jason Christenson said. “The kids are excited. Getting to face a high caliber opponent, the kids really want to play them tough. And it is always in the back of our minds, that this is another stepping stone to getting to a conference championship, but right now they are just focused on executing their offense, executing their defense, and just playing hard and tough football.”

And the secret is out on the Panthers (1-0, 3-2), they will attempt to run the ball, a lot

But after how the Ponies handled the strong running attack from Livingston last week, the Havre defense should be able to step up once again. Facing the Rangers last weekend, the Ponies allowed 290 rushing yards and just two scores against the starting defense. The Rangers had a third score against the second team defense late in the game.

The Panthers’ rushing attack should be stronger than what the Rangers put on the field, but if the Ponies can play the way they played in their last outing, then they should remain competitive on Friday. The Pony defense continues to be led by the likes of Jake Williams, Jace Billy, and Jordan Schroeder from the linebacker position, while Tyler Adams (defensive line), Kyle Duitsman (defensive line), Trevor Jensen (defensive back) and Thomas Gruber (defensive back) will also be key in stopping the run and forcing quarterback Brayden Konkol to put the ball in the air.

Butte Central stopped the Belgrade running game earlier in the season and captured a 34-25 win. But last weekend the Panthers defeated Lewistown 40-0, rushing for more than 200 yards including a solid outing from running back Garet Fowler.

“We just refined some of the things that we have worked on in the past,” Christenson said. “We are sticking with our base defense and that is going to be our best defense. And offensively, we just worked on some blocking schemes and worked on picking up stunts to take some pressure of off Dane (Warp). We don’t need to reinvent the wheel, we are just trying to do what we do even better.

“In my mind,” Christenson added. “Belgrade has one of the best running attacks in the state. (Konkol) throws a good ball, and is a very talented quarterback, but they love to the run the ball, and we have to fore them the throw the ball. It might take some adjusting to stop the run, but we are in the bend, but don’t break mentality. The most important thing is keeping the other team out of the end zone, and three and outs are great, but sometimes it takes time to adjust to the run while a team marches. If we can adjust and shut them down and get off the field with no points scored against us on a drive, that is a big accomplishment.”

If the Pony defense is able to stop the run and continue to get the good production from the offense, then the Ponies should be able to push for a win. Warp has been excellent the last couple of weeks, especially when protected. And with Nate Rismon coming along quite nicely, accenting Gruber, Ned Malone, and Parker Filius as favored targets, then the Ponies will continue to get big numbers from the offense. But to truly be explosive on a consistent basis, coach Christenson is still set on getting Kody Pribyl and Tristan Manuel as involved on the ground game as possible.

“If we play as well on defense,” Christenson said. “As hard, and as disciplined as I know we can on defense, then I think we will have some success. And on offense we just have to pick up their stunts and keep the pressure off of Dane and get the running game going. Kody Pribyl and Tristan Manuel have been doing a great job, but if we can pop off some big runs against Belgrade, then I think that will go a long way for our offense. I think this is going to be a tough and competitive contest.”

And like every game, Christenson has stressed the fact that the Ponies can’t hurt themselves with penalties and turnovers. If HHS can win the turnover battle and limit their errors and penalties, the Ponies could come away with a crucial conference victory.

Tonight, the Ponies face Belgrade at 7 in Belgrade. Havre is home next Friday to host Lewsitown in its home finale and senior night.

Road Test

Havre High

at

Belgrade

Tonight at 7 p.m.

in Belgrade

Radio: 610 KOJM AM