What we saw, what we'll see

Only a few major sporting events took place in Havre this weekend. But boy oh boy did we see plenty.

Starting with last Friday night’s football game at Blue Pony Stadium, so much happened there was bound to be a few things which didn’t make Monday’s sports pages.

It’s worth noting that as Havre stormed back from its 21-7 deficit to beat Lewistown in the fourth quarter of Friday night’s game, the Blue Pony defense deserves as much credit as Havre’s heroic effort on offense.

Yes, HHS scored three touchdowns in the final 12 minutes, and the Ponies needed every one of those points to win. However, after each score, the Pony defense also had to go out and get the ball back, and twice they did that. Lewistown had a great game plan offensively, which was to control the clock and move the chains. But in the closing minutes, Havre’s defense stood up and didn’t allow the Eagles chances to put Havre away.

The Ponies forced a long field goal attempt on one drive, which Lewistown’s Dylan Stenseth missed, and a punt on the next possession. Then, of course, Ned Malone finished the comeback with an interception near the Havre goal line just before time ran out. Havre’s final home game under the lights couldn’t have ended more fittingly, as Malone, one of nine Pony seniors, sealed the game with his first INT of the season.

For the second straight week, Havre High was also in full support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A large pink ribbon was painted at midfield of Blue Pony Stadium, and all of the Havre High players wore pink socks Friday night against the Eagles. Once again, well done Ponies.

We also got our first look at the Montana State University-Northern men’s basketball team on Sunday afternoon. And the Lights made quick work of Concordia of Alberta. Once again, Northern looks impressive, and seems to be a team that will yet again take fans to the level of basketball excitement they’ve grown accustomed to at MSU-N.

And the fans are what really stood out to me on Sunday. For a season-opening game, against an unknown opponent, so early in the year, and on a Sunday afternoon, the crowd really exceeded my expectations. It just goes to show what a great fanbase the basketball programs at Northern have.

We also saw the MSU-N volleyball team dismantle the rival Great Falls Argos last Thursday night. It wasn’t that Northern won that was shocking, but it was how the Skylights did it. In three sets, the Argos never even got to 20 points, which in rally scoring at the college level, is pretty rare these days. There’s not much I can say about the Skylights that hasn’t already been said, but their performance against UGF on Thursday night was almost flawless.

Looking ahead, it’s going to be another fantastic week of sports.

If you like high school football and volleyball, the week starts early. Most area Class B and Class C teams will play this week’s games Tuesday-Thursday due to being out of school this weekend for the Montana teacher’s conventions. So there’s plenty of mid-week high school action to feast on.

On Thursday night, the MSU-Northern wrestling team will hold its annual intra-squad dual, so fans can really get a look at the Lights in action. Also, Northern doesn’t host its first home dual until Nov. 21, so it will be nearly a month before the fans can see the Lights again.

And basketball is on the table at MSU-N too. The Lights are home Friday-Saturday to host the University of Regina. The Cougars play the highest level of Canadian college basketball, so Northern will certainly have its hands full in the second and third games of the young season.