Rematch: Ponies, Cowboys do it again

The Havre Blue Ponies have played some big games this football season. But none will be more important than the win-or-go home showdown that awaits them in Miles City, where they will meet a familiar foe in the opening round of the Class A State playoffs.

The Ponies (4-5, 2-2) and No. 5 Cowboys (7-2, 4-1) will meet for the second straight season in the first-round of the playoffs and for the second time this season Saturday when Miles City hosts Havre. The action is set to begin at noon.

Last season, Havre was the host team and was able to overcome an early deficit to beat Miles City 21-19 at Blue Pony Stadium to advance to the quarterfinals. But, the Cowboys got their revenge earlier this season when they defeated HHS 27-19 in the second week of the season, in a game that came down the final seconds. But according to Havre head coach Jason Christenson, seeing a familiar opponent isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

“I think the kids have some confidence going into this game, we have been playing well and are playing a team we have seen before,” Christenson said. “We know what to expect out of (Miles City), and it just seems like we have been facing them a lot over the last two years. And if two teams know each other well, it’s our two teams.

“The kids know that we kind of shot ourselves in the foot (in the first game),” He added. “We got in the red zone a couple times and didn’t get the ball in, and they know we didn’t take advantage of some opportunities. But, we have matured since then, as have they and I think it’s going to be a really good fight.”

One big difference that the Cowboys will have to deal with is the Ponies’ new-found running game, which has been on display that two weeks against Polson and Browning as Havre racked up at least 250 yards rushing in each win.

In their first meeting, the Cowboys held HHS to just 56 yards rushing, 41 of which came from quarterback Dane Warp. Yet, new threats have emerged in the Pony backfield in Jase Stokes and Kody Pribyl to go along with Parker Filius, who is going to be a game-time decision due to an ankle injury he suffered against Browning. But, even if Filius is unable to go, the Cowboys will have to deal with Stokes and Pribyl, who have brought a different, more physical element to the Havre offense.

“Our run game adds another threat they have to deal with, which is nice,” Christenson said. “They can’t focus on … gearing their entire defense to stop us from throwing the ball.”

Even though the Ponies boast a better running game, their offense still runs through Warp, who is coming off four touchdown passes in the win over Browning. For the season, he has thrown 26 touchdown passes compared to just five interceptions. However, the Cowboy defense, which has allowed just over 16 points per game this season, has excelled at limiting big plays and will look to do so again on Saturday.

“Offensively, they go through their quarterback,” Miles city head coach Dan Stanton said. “(Warp) is a great athlete and he is cool under pressure. They also have some great receivers, so we really need to a great job defensively.”

Filius is the Ponies’ leading receiver, but if he is unable to go, HHS will still have plenty of weapons on the perimeter, highlighted by sophomores Isaac Warp and Jacob LaBrie, who has caught six touchdown passes in the last two games.

“I think we are much sharper on offense than we were when we first played them,” Christenson said. “I was a little rusty calling plays, and we were getting used to using our wristbands and the system we were running. So, we have just gotten so much better since then. Everything is crisper, and we have really come a long way.”

Unfortunately for Havre, the Cowboys have a potent offense of their own, averaging 32 points a game this season behind Alec Haughigan, who plays both quarterback and receiver. When he is split out wide, junior Terry Blunt will take over at quarterback, but make no mistake, Haughigan is the one that makes the Cowboy offense go.

“We just need to stop number 12 (Haughigan). They seem to go as he goes,” Christenson said. “If he’s having a great day running or throwing or catching the ball, they are hard to stop. He’s a great athlete, so our keys are going to be heavy on him and stopping wherever he’s at. When he’s behind the center, we expect to see a lot of run and we are going to our best to bottle him up.”

Defensively, the Ponies will be led by their leading tacklers Stokes and Filius, as well as senior Jace Billy, who has come on strong down the stretch with five sacks in the last two games. They will all play key roles but if Filius is unable to play, Dane Warp will get the call at strong safety against the Cowboys.

Regardless of who wins, fans should expect another classic battle between two teams that have had their last three games decided by eight points or less, and with a spot in the Class A quarterfinals at Whitefish Nov. 8 on the line, anything can happen.

“It’s going to be a great game,” Christenson said. “Our kids are excited and we have been playing some good football. But we know it’s going to be tough to go down there and a get a win. They have a great tradition and a great crowd but we are going to do everything we can to go down there and get a win.”

Havre and Miles City will kick off Saturday at noon at Connors Field inside the Denton Sports Complex. The winner will move on to face the Whitefish Bulldogs in the Class A quarterfinals.