Ponies ready to add to Central A dynasty

It has been some time since the Havre High wrestling team has been challenged by another program in the Central A, regular season or at the divisional wrestling tournament.

Last season, the Central A Blue Ponies were crowned divisional champions, followed by another Class A state title. The Ponies will look to take the first step in repeating last year’s feat at Saturday’s Central A Divisional in Browning.

And as the No. 1-ranked Class A team in the state, the Ponies are the clear favorites this weekend and beyond. It will take some Pony letups and some pretty impressive matches by Belgrade, Lewistown, Livingston, and Browning to take down the Central A power. The Belgrade Panthers will most likely clinch that coveted No. 2 team spot, but if it comes down to the Panthers and Ponies, the Ponies should run away comfortably, just like HHS has done so many times in the past. Under head coach Scott Filius, the Ponies have only been unseated one time in the Central A.

“We have kids wrestling well right now and we have been together for a long time,” Filius said. “This group of kids, we have been packing all over the place for years, and so have their parents. We just have a lot of experience and a long background with this group of wrestlers.”

But as confident as coach Filius is with this group of wrestlers that has been together for a number of years now, young and old, he isn’t taking this weekend lightly.

Havre has to wrestle well across the board and in every match. The Panthers are the No. 3-ranked team in the Class A and bring in a lot talent, including 98-pounder Sawyer Degan, Jarrett Degan (132), Noah Criner (152), Keevan Pickle (160) and Bryce Blumenschein (220).

The Ponies will send in Keegan Kennelly (106), Logan Pleninger (113), Grayson Brenna (120), Dylan Stewart (126), Dane Flammond (126), Thomas Gruber (132), Parker Filius (138), Gunnar Aageson (138), Kody Pribyl (145), Jase Stokes (152), Jerrod Laux (160), Jake Williams (170), Dustin Odegard (182), Jace Billy (195), John Chinadle (195), Tyler Adams (220) and Travis Adams (HWT), but will remain open at 98-pounds for the remainder of their season. And bringing in 17 wrestlers, the Ponies think they have a realistic chance to place all, or close to all, 17 individuals for the state tournament.

“It’s about getting as many kids into the state tournament,” Filius said. “And we are looking to place at divisionals as high as we can to help pave the way. And I would think all of our guys have the ability to place this weekend. We have 17 kids, but I am very pleased with the potential we have in those 17.”

Coach Filius is also comfortable heading into the weekend because of the success the Ponies have found through a difficult regular season schedule. Right out of the gate with the Havre Invitational, through the Mining City Duals, and CMR Holiday Classic, the Ponies have found great success as individuals and as a team. And while some may look at losses as a negative thing, knowing all of his wrestlers have suffered at least one loss this season lets coach Filius know his grapplers are battle-tested.

“Everybody we’ve got has been tagged with a loss this season.” Filius said. “But that is good for them. If you go undefeated than I don’t think you have found a tough enough schedule. That is the reason we wrestle those Great Falls schools and go to all of those tough tournaments, for that reason, and we feel like we are prepared for the post season.”

Havre will look to add another Central A banner to its dynasty Saturday in Browning. The top four wrestlers in each weight class will move on to the Class A state tournament next Friday-Saturday in Billings.