State Wrestling 2018: Ponies bring plenty of firepower to the Metra

Whatever has happened the last 12 weeks, it doesn't matter now. The Havre Blue Ponies are going to Billings with only one intention ­ winning a sixth straight Class A state championship.

This week, it doesn't matter that the Ponies lost twice in duals to Sidney, or that they came out on the short end of the team scores at last week's Eastern A Divisional in Belgrade. No, the only thing that matters now is how the 14 HHS grapplers wrestle inside the Rimrock Auto Arena Friday and Saturday.

Yes, Havre may be in a bit of an underdog role for the first time in years, with Sidney's depth, and Frenchtown's big guns trying to steal some of the Ponies' thunder. And yet, this is state tournament time, a time when Blue Pony head coach Scott Filius knows what to do, and exactly how to have his wrestlers ready to compete on the biggest stage.

And not only that, but the Ponies have two returning state champions, 11 wrestlers who were a part of last year's five-peat in Billings, and six grapplers who know exactly what final's night in Billings is all about.

So, while the Ponies have a big red bull's-eye squarely on their back this weekend, and some around Class A see them as vulnerable, for the Ponies themselves nothing has changed. They're going to Billings to win.

Here's a breakdown of each Havre wrestler's draw ahead of the start of the 2018 All-Class State Tournament in Billings.

103 – Mick Chagnon (35-8)

Chagnon has burst onto the Blue Pony scene at the traditional 103-pound weight. As a freshman, and Havre has always had strong freshman performances at state, he's made great strides and has been ranked in the Class A's top three all season long. Chagnon also owns wins over everyone in his bracket, including top-ranked Eli Warner of Frenchtown. Chagnon and Warner are on the same half of the draw and should meet for a fourth time this season in Saturday's semifinals. Sidney's Kaiden Cline, Ronan's Trapper Mcallister and Frenchtown's Landen Stewart are also strong contenders. Chagnon opens the tourney against Browning's Ashton Flamand.

113 – Cameron Pleninger (39-9)

The only reason Pleninger isn't a returning state champ is because he ran into teammate Quinn Reno in the 103-pound final a year ago. Still, Pleninger, now a sophomore, has the big-stage experience. But he's also in a loaded draw that includes top-ranked Libby star Buddy Doolin, a B-C state champ a year ago, who is on his half of the draw, as well as Frenchtown standout Walker Dyer, a 103 pound placer from a year ago. Polson's Mateo Quinones is also tough, but, the 113-pound bracket may be the toughest in the field because of Lewistown freshman Cooper Birdwell. He's 30-0 on the season and beat Pleninger at last week's Eastern A. So no matter which road a grappler takes in this draw, it's going to be very difficult. Pleninger opens the tourney against Frenchtown's Nicolilai Blanchard.

113 – Dylan Young (12-12)

Young is making his first trip to state, and it's going to be tough sledding for the youngster. With one of the toughest brackets in Class A, Young will be a big underdog this week, including in his opening match against Polson's Mateo Quinones.

120 – Ryan Stewart (32-11)

It's Stewart's last chance to win a state championship. He's done everything else in an outstanding Blue Pony career. But Stewart has always been in tough brackets at state, including when he finished fourth at 113 a year ago, and this week it will be no different. The 120-pound draw includes returning state champ Jake Bibler of Frenchtown, who has lost just twice this season, as well as returning state champ and teammate Quinn Reno, and Eastern A champion Damian Leidholt of Miles City. Stewart is on Bibler's half of the draw, which also includes Sidney's Kade Graves. Stewart's quest begins with Polson's Kedrick Baker in the first round.

120 – Quinn Reno (26-11)

Reno won a state title as a freshman but made a big jump in weight as a sophomore. Injuries and illness have also slowed him down some, but he should be considered a dangerous opponent in the hefty 120-pound bracket. He's on the opposite side of the draw from Bibler and Stewart, and a path to another state championship match will likely go through Miles City's Leidholt. Reno opens the tournament against Ronan's Zane Walchuck.

126 – Marc Ramirez (24-8)

Ramirez, who had a strong sophomore campaign, wasn't even sure he'd make it to Billings after suffering an unfortunate injury a few weeks ago. But he battled hard at divsionals and punched his ticket. If he's feeling good, Ramirez will be a tough out in what is a difficult 126-pound bracket that includes former state champion Caleb Birdwell of Lewistown, as was as Hamilton's Michael Golden and returning state placer Dante Venema of Corvallis. Ramirez also has a tough opening match with Ronan's Owen Brown, who has lost just three times all season.

132 – Lane Paulson (35-8)

Like Ryan Stewart, Paulson, a junior, has already accomplished a ton in his Pony career, including reaching the 120-pound final a year ago. He lost that match to Belgrade's John Mears and the two are once again the same draw. They met at last week's Eastern A with Mears coming out on top, but that puts them on opposite sides of the draw this week. On Paulson's half is Polson's Bridger Wenzel, who, along with Paulson and Mears, are the class of the 132 bracket. Paulson opens the tournament against Benji Opat of Corvallis.

145 – Martin Wilkie (41-1)

There are a handful of sure things at this week's state tourney and Wilkie is one of them. A two-time state champion, Wilkie's only loss in his junior campaign came to a wrestler outside of Montana, at the Tri-State back in December. Wilkie has been absolutely dominant all season long and should be this weekend as he continues his quest to be Havre's next four-time champion. Polson's Cameron Brown, at 20-1 will likely be Wilkie's opponent in the final, while Stevensville's Kyler Pancake is probably the toughest test on his half of the draw. Wilkie begins his drive for three against Polson's Caleb Unger.

152 – Connor Harris (37-7)

Harris, a returning state placer, has a chance to make plenty of noise after a strong sophomore campaign. He ran into a tough draw in Hardin's Bryce Roan, a returning state placer, at last week's Eastern A, and that puts Harris on top-ranked Parker Adler's half of the bracket. Adler is the heavy favorite at 152, after finishing runner-up last year for the Polson Pirates. Corvallis' Drew Schmitt and Lewistown's Chase Farrar are also strong grapplers as is Glendive's Branden Held and Butte Central's Cooper Hoffman. Harris begins the tournament against Libby's Dawson Young.

160 – Taylor Gopher (11-11)

Gopher is making his second straight trip to state, and he'll have his hands full immediately, as he's drawn defending state champ and undefeated Brent Tezak of Dillon in the first round. That match will be tough for Gopher, but beyond Tezak, the 160-pound bracket is wide open. Glendive's Tyler Clapp is tough, but if Gopher wrestles well he could be a big surprise and wind up on the podium for the Ponies.

170 – Mason Dionne (33-12)

Dionne, who finished third at 152 a year ago, has had a very strong second half of the season. He fell short at last week's Eastern A against Lewistown's Alex Wickens, who is a returning state placer and one of the favorites at 170 this week. But Dionne shouldn't be overlooked, and he's on the opposite side of the draw from Wickens in Billings. Dionne's road to the semifinals will probably include a match against teammate Jazz Schroeder, and the winner of that match will have to face Columbia Falls' Ben Windauer in the semis. Windauer was the final opponent of Havre's Parker Filius' brilliant career last year at state. Polson's Hunter Fritsch is also a tough grappler at 170, as is Hardin's Brendan Roan, but Dionne is tough, too, and he'll make plenty of noise this weekend. He opens the tournament against Butte Central's Ash Norris.

170 – Jazz Schroeder (15-10)

It's been a long journey for Schroeder, who has missed most of the last two seasons, and part of his senior season with injuries. But he's in Billings, and he came there to fight for a spot on the podium. Schroeder could be the most dangerous man in the bracket, and if he gets by Browning's Emmit Augare in the first round, he'll have a battle with teammate Mason Dionne for a spot in the semifinals.

205 – Tyler Schaub (39-4)

Like Schroeder, this week is about redemption for Schaub. The 2016 state champion, Schaub missed his chance to defend that title last year, when he was sidelined with a knee injury. But he's come back with a vengeance as a senior. He's lost just four times, and against Class A opponents, he's been unbeatable. He's also in a 205-pound draw with just one returning state placer, and Sidney rival Sawyor Thorgerson is probably still his toughest competition. All that adds up to Schaub being a heavy favorite to capture the state title this weekend, and if he does, that would mean he would follow stepbrother Jase Stokes' 205-pound title from a year ago, so he wouldn't just keep that one at Havre High, he'd keep it in the family.

285 – Austin Ratliff (30-9)

Ratliff will be a big key for the Blue Ponies' title hopes this weekend. He finished third at the Eastern A last weekend, but in every match he's lost against a Class A opponent, he's been close. He reached state as a sophomore, but this weekend, he's looking to get to the podium. The heavyweight draw is wide open, too, with Sidney's Ryan Horner and Columbia Falls' Taylor Gladeau and Kyler Koski the three favorites. But Ratliff is wrestling well, and he not only should make a push for the podium, if he wrestles his very best, he could be in the hunt for a spot in the finals. Ratliff begins his state tournament with Stevensville's Tyler Woods.