Friday Night Lights: Now it's really real

The preseason in Class A high school football can be a long one. For teams in the Central A Conference, it's even longer. To play a nine-game schedule in the Central A, teams need to play five nonconference games, so it takes a while for the start of conference play to roll around.

But just as the days start to get shorter, and the air on a Friday night gets a little cooler, conference play, in particular, Central A play, arrives.

It arrives for the Havre Blue Ponies in the form of a road trip to Livingston tonight. But as a whole, the race to the Central A championship is now officially underway.

The Belgrade Panthers are the defending Central A champions and were picked by the league's coaches to repeat that feat this season. Belgrade is currently ranked No. 5 in the latest Montana Class A Power Poll, and enters conference play fresh off an impressive win over Miles City.

Belgrade returns the most starters of any team in the Central A after going undefeated in league play last year, and making the Class A semifinals. But no returning player is more important to the Panthers than All-State quarterback Brayden Konkol (6-2, 195). A collegiate prospect, Konkol is an outstanding passer, but his ability to run past defenses makes him as dangerous as any player in the state. Add in running back/wide receiver Koby Ruff and a big, physical offensive line, and the Panthers will again be one of the top rushing teams in Class A.

However, what makes Belgrade stand out is its defense. The Panthers have put together a talented, physical defense, and they need it considering they play so many explosive offenses, including Havre and Lewistown. And with such a balanced attack, it's easy to see why Belgrade is again the favorite to win the Central A.

However, the Blue Ponies want to have a say in the conference championship this season, and next Saturday's Homecoming game against the Panthers will be a big one. Havre was picked to finish second in the Central A, after doing so a season ago, and the showdown with Belgrade might just determine the outcome of the conference.

The Ponies certainly have the offensive firepower to test Belgrade's staunch defense, led by junior All-State quarterback Dane Warp, and a host of weapons in Parker Filius, Kody Pribyl and the emergence of sophomores Isaac Warp and Michael Loftus at wide receiver. But it's the pony defense, and a trip to Lewistown which will make or break Havre's Central A hopes.

The HHS defense has played outstanding so far this season, led by seniors Tyrell Pierce and Jace Billy, as well as the rising star of sophomore linebacker Jase Stokes. But, in conference play, the offenses of Belgrade and Lewistown will certainly test what has been a stingy Pony defense.

And while Havre would love nothing more than to beat the Panthers next week in Blue Pony Stadium, an Oct. 10 trip to Lewistown could mean the difference between at least one playoff game at Blue Pony Stadium, or none this season.

Speaking of the Eagles, they have a Havre flavor this season. New head coach Vic Feller hired former MSU-Northern stars Derek Lear and Orin Johnson to join the coaching staff this season, and Lewistown's home game with the Ponies will be one of the biggest games in the Central A this season.

The Eagles have a dangerous offense, led by senior quarterback James Derheim. With Warp, Konkol and Derheim, the Central A has three of the top QBs in the state. Derheim is a dual-threat QB, but he loves to throw and he has one of the fastest players in the state, senior Brock Butcher to throw to. Hunter Errecart is another deep threat at WR, while the Eagles will still utilize their ground game behind a stout offensive line, even though All-State fullback Dylan Stenseth is gone.

Defensively though, Lewistown needs to be better than it was a season ago. The Eagles have some size and talent, but big plays late in games a year ago led to the Eagles finishing third and getting bounced early in the playoffs. If Lewistown can shore up the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles become a legitimate threat to both the Panthers and Ponies in the coming weeks.

Picked to finish outside the playoff picture is both Livingston and Browning. Both teams went 1-8 a season ago, and both enter conference play winless.

The Rangers graduated a pair of All-State players in Chris Emter and Colton Gavne, but they will still run their triple-option attack with Bobby Emter at running back and fullbacks Cole Jesson and Cade McComber.

In Browning, things could be looking up. The Indians have a new head coach, and plenty of talent on offense, led by running back Zeus Rutherford. Rutherford was one of the top rushers in the Central A a season ago, while quarterback Ryan Loring and receiver Morgan Briggs give the Indians plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball.

However, turnovers and defense have held Browning back in recent years. The Indians have led the league in turnover margin the last two seasons, while they have struggled to stop the power offenses of the conference too.

Still, if Browning can put together a better defense this season, and if they can hang onto the ball on offense, they will become a team that will be tough to beat in the Central A.

Back in August, Havre High head coach Jason Christenson noted that the race for the Central A would likely come down to Belgrade, Lewistown and his Blue Ponies.

"I think that both Belgrade and Lewistown will be tough," Christenson said. "I think it will be us and Lewistown competing to try and knock off Belgrade."

Now, starting tonight, it's time to find out for sure. For the next four Friday nights, it's all about the Central A.