Ponies close the regular season in Browning

One game is all that stands between the Havre Blue Ponies and the Class A playoffs. And though the Ponies already have a playoff berth locked up, they want to end the regular season on a high note.

Tonight, the Blue Ponies travel to Browning to take on the Central A rival Browning Indians in the regular season finale for both teams. Havre (2-1, 3-4) has already nailed down second place in the conference, as well as a home playoff game next Saturday, but the Ponies won't take the upstart Indians lightly.

"Contrary to what their record says," Havre High head coach Jason Christenson said. "Browning is a tough team and a pretty decent team. But the kids are focused, and we want to go out and execute on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball and try to get a good win. We want to get our confidence back and gain some momentum heading into the playoffs."

Browning (0-3, 1-7) comes into tonight's game with a long-shot chance of reaching the playoffs. The Indians haven't won a conference game this season, but a win over Havre tonight could force a three-way tie for third. Browning would still need help in order to get into the playoffs, but the Indians will certainly put up a huge fight.

The Indians' lone win this season came on opening day when they beat Class B stalwart Cut Bank 20-7. But just last week, Browning came within a single drive of upsetting Lewistown. The Indians fell short 20-14, but the Eagles are a team which took Havre down to the wire, so the Ponies will be weary of an upset tonight.

"This is one game that will really test our front four and our linebackers." Christenson said. "They need to refine their fits and keys and start filling the way they need to. But this will be a good test, and they like to throw the ball a little too, so it will be a nice test for our defensive backs as well."

The Indians' offense has been hit or miss this season, but they are certainly athletic. Browning will play both Trevor Gray and Tristan Polk at quarterback, but the Indians' biggest weapon is running back Zeus Rutherford, who 205 yards on the ground this season. He's also the Indians' second-leading receiver, but Browning is a run-first and run-heavy team. And that will present challenges for the HHS defense. On the front line, the likes of Tyler Adams and Kyle Duitsman lead the way, while Trevor Jensen has been a stellar run-stopper from his safety position. Linebackers Jake Williams and Jordan Schroeder, two of Havre's leading tacklers, will be key in run support tonight as well.

On the other side of the ball, the potent HHS offense will test an inexperienced Browning defense. The Indians have been good against the run this season, but have been susceptible to the pass.

And that bodes well for HHS sophomore quarterback Dane Warp, as well as receivers Thomas Gruber, Nate Rismon and freshman Parker Filius, who's been very strong of late. The big things Havre has to avoid tonight are sacks and turnovers. The Ponies couldn't stay with powerful Polson last week due to turnovers, and they'll certainly want to remedy that situation tonight in Browning, with a playoff game now just a week away.

"We want to see as close to perfect game as we can get on both sides of the football," Christenson said. "We need to eliminate the penalties and eliminate the turnovers because those are the types of things that if you take with you into the playoffs, they can hurt you pretty bad. We don't want to shoot ourselves in the foot, so we need to eliminate all of that."

Tonight's game between Havre and Browning will kick off at 7 in Browning. Win or lose, Havre will host either Miles City or Sidney next Saturday.

Finish Line

Havre High

at

Browning

Tonight at 7 p.m.

in Browning

Radio: 610 KOJM AM