Bulldogs run over Blue Ponies

The Havre High football team entered the 2015 season with high expectations. Unfortunately, at least in the first game, things did not go as planned for the Blue Ponies.

On a smokey day at Blue Pony Stadium, it was clear that the Whitefish Bulldogs were the better team and it wasn't even close. The Bulldogs, Havre's Northwest A rival, dominated in all three facets of the game en route to an impressive 44-12 victory Saturday afternoon inside Blue Pony Stadium.

"We were outplayed and out coached," HHS head coach Mark Samson said. "I don't want to take anything away from Whitefish. They are a good football team. But, we were not prepared to play in that football game."

Early on, Whitefish set the tempo, hammering away at Havre with their run game and thanks to a pair of first-half rushing touchdowns by Chris Park, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.

On the ensuing possession, Havre's Dane Warp threw an interception and suddenly, Whitefish was back in business. May connected with Jed Nagler on a pair of passes and then Brian FauntLeroy scored on a 16-yard run to put Whitefish in front 21-0 with 3:44 before half.

Havre answered on its next possession, when Warp found Rismon in the back of the end zone for a score. Rismon, who made a spectacular catch over two Bulldog defenders, helped HHS climb back within two scores at 21-6, but FauntLeRoy broke the hearts of Havre by returning the kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown putting the Bulldogs in front 28-6 at the half.

Following intermission, the Ponies needed a stop to try and get back in it, but simply couldn't come up with one. May opened the drive with a 30-yard scamper and then hit FauntLeRoy for a 17-yard touchdown pass, which put Whitefish up 34-6 and effectively put the game on ice.

Just as he did a year ago, May ran wild on the Ponies, but he also tortured the Havre defense with his arm too, throwing for two touchdowns, while also racking up multiple runs of over 20 yards.

"Luke just seems to be getting better and better," Whitefish coach Chad Ross said. "He has really become a great leader and he really did a great job out there for us."

The loss was disappointing for Havre, but in the end, it may not mean much seeing as it was a non-conference game. The Bulldogs will retain the BNSF trophy for a fourth straight season, but HHS will have a chance to get into the win column for the first time this season next Friday when it will host Hardin at 7 p.m., inside Blue Pony Stadium.

For full coverage of Saturday's game see Monday's edition of the Havre Daily News.