Friday Night Lights: Heart and Soul

It is rare to find a prep athlete able to earn a varsity letter all four years of high school, especially in two sports. But it is even more rare to find an athlete who is able to do that, but also excel in both sports in dominating fashion.

The Havre High Blue Ponies found an athlete capable of such accomplishments in Tyler Adams.

Adams is in his senior year at Havre High, and approaching the end of his senior season with Central A Blue Pony football team. But with his senior year of wrestling still ahead of him, Adams has plenty of opportunities to continue to add to his long list of accolades.

As a wrestler Adams placed at state the last three years, and was a part of the Class A team title the Ponies brought home last season. As a freshman Adams wrestled at 185 pounds and placed sixth at state, and as a sophomore, still at 185, Adams placed fifth. But as a junior Adams weighed 185, but was bumped up to 215 pounds and finished in second place individually.

And on the football field, Adams has seen playing time as a defensive end, defensive tackle, as well as at left tackle on the offensive line. He earned Academic All State honors as a freshman, as well Defensive MVP by the Ponies as a sophomore.

Adams now hopes to finish a strong senior season on the gridiron with his Ponies already earning a spot in the Class A postseason. And to follow, Adams is also in the hunt for a No. 1 individual and No. 1 team finish at the state wrestling tournament come February.

College could also be in Adams' future. He loves wrestling and football, but his first choice would be to earn a wrestling scholarship so he could pursue a college degree in either Diesel Tech, Ag Tech, or Ecology. But if Adams isn't offered an opportunity to wrestle, he would also welcome the opportunity to play football at the next level.

Here's five questions with Havre's heart and soul on defense as he and the Ponies square off with the Polson Pirates tonight in Polson.

HDN: There is a good chance that the Ponies will run into Sidney or Miles City in the first round of the state playoffs, so who do you want to face more?

Adams: "If I could pick, it would be Miles City. A lot of people have been saying that it was a fluke that we even tied them, and looking at them saying they are so much better and that score in Havre was a fluke. But this team has been building off of each other and getting our momentum going. We want to beat Miles City because rarely do you get to make up for past mistakes, and we could have that chance, I think all the seniors want that opportunity."

HDN: Having experienced a state title with the HHS wrestling team, what would a football title mean to you if able to accomplish that task also?

Adams: "That would be something I could hold as a memory not only with my teammates, but my family and future family, God willing if I have one. We haven't capitalized on the state finals since 2004, and to say that we were a team to make it that far would be a big deal. That would mean a lot to me, and that would show people we play with heart, and that would make my teammates, my coaches, and myself proud."

HDN: When you aren't practicing or competing for Blue Pony athletics, how do you spend your free time?

Adams: "Recently it has been putting a lot of time in on the weights, and spending time with my family. This is my senior year, and if I go off to college I won't get to see my family as much, so I just want to spend time with those I care about the most. I have just been making memories, spending time with my family and teammates."

HDN: Is there a sport or activity you wished you would have been a part of while at Havre High?

Adams: "Honestly, I can't say that there is. I mean, I am pretty content with what I do. I was given the ability to wrestle and I was given the ability to play football, so I am content. That is where my heart is at, so I don't have any regrets."

HDN: Athletics or other, what is one goal you had for yourself heading into your senior year?

Adams: "To make a mark somehow. Before football started I told coach (Jason) Christenson that the one thing I wanted out of this year was for me as an individual, as us as a team to do something that people will remember us by. I hoped and prayed and worked my butt off, and my teammates have done the same in attempt to do that. We have had some bad luck, as well as some good, but that would be one thing I would hope for. I want to be remembered, I want people to remember the class of 2013."