Community Focus: For the love of football ...

As the football season for our Havre Middle School Mustangs came to an end Saturday, something occurred to me: the rules of the game were compromised. I was warned by our Mustang parents that Lewistown celebrates “I Hate Havre Day,” and I was shocked. They had not exaggerated. This is a personal affront to our community and is for every parent who cheered on our Mustangs and Blue Ponies last weekend.

Our running back ran for 60 yards to complete a touchdown only to be met with a pale yellow flag. It didn’t stop there. Play after play, yellow flag after yellow flag, penalties were called, but to no one’s surprise, they were mostly called on the Havre Mustangs. It was appalling, and if you were at last Friday night’s game then you know just how it went for us Saturday. I can’t deny we made mistakes, however, Fergus Eagles were witnessed making just as many or more.

It should have been an incredible match-up. The Fergus coaches had made their adjustments in preparation for this game, but our competition was sabotaged by the choice in officials. The officials hired to call this game were not only refusing to call penalties on the Eagles, but they were also coaching them in clear sight on the field to prevent them from penalties. We had two touchdowns and turnovers taken away from us due to their play on favoritism and disrespect for the game.

How has Havre put up with this insulting treatment of their athletic program year after year? Win or lose, healthy competition in middle school sports is expected to be a fun learning experience.

It is unacceptable to return year after year knowing the history and be expected to just turn our cheek in the face of such deceit over and over again. Please, our kids deserve better.

​ Even with the resounding hate toward our football teams and community displayed by the Fergus Eagles, I witnessed an astounding love for football by our players, our coaches and our parents. Our boys showed up against all odds, anticipating the animosity toward them, to play an honest game of football. Our teams and coaches displayed amazing sportsmanship. Parents were frustrated, and some were heartbroken to the point of just wanting the game to be over. We supported our team despite the Eagles loathing and offense toward our kids. Boys, coaches and parents ... we are the winners.

So, what happens now leaders? What will you do next year? Football season will be here again. Do the Fergus Eagles really need to be? Their obvious lack of respect for the game and this community should be reprimanded.

Guidelines need to be established for the future protection of our players against such reprehensible behavior on the part of the officials in Lewistown. Our community should not allow this to continue anymore. It is shameful. Our Mustangs and Blue Ponies deserve a better rivalry and a positive learning environment.

(Wendy K. Sullivan lives in Havre.)