Back in The Pony: Havre High opens a new season tonight

There is nothing quite like a high school football game on a Friday night and after a long wait, Havre will get to revel in that experience again tonight as the Havre High football team gets ready to host Hardin.

The two Eastern A rivals, who opened last season in Hardin, will do the same thing tonight in Havre in a matchup of conference foes. The Blue Ponies, who are coming off an 0-9 season, will be looking to snap a 12-game losing streak and get their first win since 2016 against the Bulldogs, who will invade Blue Pony Stadium for a game that will kick off at 7.

"I know that these kids are really excited to get out there and play some football," HHS head coach Ryan Gatch said. "I think that both teams are going to be ready. Hardin has a young team, they are going to be hungry and we are hungry, too, so I expect a really competitive football game."

Like Havre, which will have a new starting quarterback tonight in Reese Bulkley, the Bulldogs will also be without some of the players who helped them knock off HHS 15-7 last season. Kodi Small rushed for two touchdowns in the win for Hardin last season and now Small is a member of the Montana State University-Northern Lights.

However, the Bulldogs do return some experience and for the most part, their philosophy of running the football will be the same. Junior John Mehling is listed as the team's quarterback. Hardin also lists senior Norman Dawes and sophomore Zane Cummins as running backs, along with junior Dathan Ereaux. Steele Donovan is another name to watch for a Bulldogs offense that rushed for well over 200 yards in its win last year at home against the Ponies.

"Hardin is a physical football team," Gatch said. "They are young but they have some size, and we are going to have to match their style of play."

When Havre has the football, things might look a little different in 2018 than in previous seasons, but the focus is still going to be on the running the football. Junior Mason Dionne should see the bulk of the work in the backfield, but junior fullback Kellen Detrick could also see some touches, along with sophomore running back Bradyn Winchell. However, the biggest difference might come with Bulkley, a former wide receiver who should offer some dual-threat capabilities from the quarterback position.

"We feel really good about Reese," Gatch said. "He is athletic and he understands the offense, and we feel good about our offensive line, so we should be able to pass protect and run block. That's the goal at least."

While establishing the run will be a big key for the Ponies tonight, one of Havre's most dynamic playmakers still resides at wide receiver and that's senior wideout Ethan Roberts, who was second in both receptions and receiving yards last season for HHS. He will lead a group of pass catchers that also includes senior Brandon Shaw, as well as sophomores Max Olson and Brock Nystrom.

"We like our group of wide receivers," Gatch said. "We have a four-man rotation there and we are going to do some different things throwing the football but we want to run the ball. Just like in the past, that is going to be our main focus."

Roberts and Dionne may be the top returners on offense but each is going to have a big role to play on defense this season, especially against the Bulldogs. Winning in the trenches and slowing the vaunted Hardin run game is going to be important, so guys like Logan Twombly, Carter Nystrom, Dexter Beck and Ethan Carlson will all be vital at defensive tackle. Detrick and Quinn Springer will also have key roles setting the edge at defensive end and tackling will also be vital, which is where Roberts, a safety, and Dionne, an inside linebacker, come into play.

Regardless of the X's and O's, Gatch said a big key in determining the outcome of tonight's game is going to be who made fewer mistakes and which team took better care of the football. "Hardin is going to be a lot like us," Gatch said. "They are a young, physical football team, and they are going to be ready to get after it. I think at the end of the day, it's going to come down to which team can make fewer mistakes. We are hoping to be plus two when it comes to the turnover margin."

Either way, it's a fresh start for both teams and after a rough 2017 season, Havre is looking forward with a clean slate.

"Both teams are going to be playing with a lot of new faces, and it's going to come down to the team that can maintain its composure and maintain its optimism," Gatch said.

Kickoff between the Ponies and Bulldogs tonight is set for 7 The Ponies travel next week.

Havre (0-0) vs Hardin (0-0)

Tonight at 7 p.m.

Blue Pony Stadium

Radio: 610 KOJM AM