Ponies will try to stop charging Rams

After five straight losses, the Havre High football team doesn't really have much chance at making the postseason. Yet with one of the best teams in Class A invading Blue Pony Stadium tonight, the Blue Ponies still have a chance at getting a signature win.

That team is second-ranked Billings Central, which comes into Havre with a perfect 6-0 record. The Ponies and Rams, who met in the Class A state championship game in Havre back in 2004, will renew their rivalry tonight. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

"They are arguably one of the best teams in the state," HHS head coach Ryan Gatch said. "I think they are the best team in the state. They are playing some really high-caliber football and I told our guys this week what a great opportunity it is for us. Coach Stanton does a good job, they have a lot of good coaches and a lot of good players and that's what you want to have in a program."

To say that Billings Central has a lot of talented players is probably an understatement. The fact is the Rams are loaded and they haven't just been beating teams within the Eastern A, they have been dominating them. Last week, Billings Central paid a visit to Belgrade, a team that went into the game with a 4-1 record. However, the Rams dismantled the Panthers, leaving Belgrade with a 52-14 win after racking up 512 yards of total offense, 412 of which came on the ground.

As bad as the Panthers were beaten, they did manage to do something no other team has done so far this season against Billings Central and that was score in double digits. In six games, the Rams have allowed a total of 30 points and pitched shutouts against Miles City, Sidney and Livingston, while also beating Hardin 43-8 and Glendive 49-8.

While the Rams have allowed just 30 points all season, their offense is averaging 45.5 points per game. Billings Central has scored at least 38 points in all six games this season and has scored 40 or more on four separate occasions, giving them an average margin of victory of 40 points a game.

What makes Billings Central so dominant on offense is their stellar ground game, which features a pair of talented runners in Jake Studer and Duncan Kraft, who each went over 100 yards rushing against Belgrade. Starting quarterback Joe Byorth has also been an effective dual threat. Last week for instance, he was 5-of-7 passing for 100 yards and three touchdowns in addition to eight carries for 44 yards and two scores of his own.

The Rams don't throw the ball often, but when they do Chrishon Dixon is often the target. Dixon is also coming off a strong game, catching three passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers.

"We are going to have to try and force them into some mistakes," Gatch said. "That's going to be the key. We are going to have to relentlessly pursue the ball and try to knock it out and hopefully, we will get some bounces to go our way."

Winning the turnover battle will be a huge key for the Ponies but so will being efficient offensively. Havre can't afford to turn the ball over against the Rams, and starting quarterback Reese Bulkley will be a huge part of that. For the season, Bulkley is completing more than 60 percent of his passes to go along with seven touchdowns. He also has a rushing touchdown.

One thing that will impact the passing game for Havre, though, is the availability of star wide receiver Ethan Roberts, who ranks in the top three in Class A in receptions (29), yards (476) and touchdowns (5). Roberts hurt his leg against Belgrade three weeks ago, then re-injured it against Glendive and sat out last week's game against Sidney.

"He's going to be a game-time decision," Gatch said of Roberts.

With or without Roberts, the Ponies are going to need a big game from running back Mason Dionne, who has rushed for 388 yards and four touchdowns this season. Dionne also has a strong arm and has attempted 10 passes this season, completing seven for 207 yards.

On the other side of the ball, Dionne and Bulkley are key pieces. Dionne is the starting inside linebacker and is among the team leaders in tackles, while Bulkley mans one of the corner spots and has an interception. On the defensive line, Kellen Detrick and Quinn Springer will lead the pass rush; other names to watch are Caleb Allestad and Bradyn Winchell.

"We want to compete and compete at the highest level," Gatch said. "And that's a really big focus for us this week. We need to make sure that we are doing that on every play. We are working hard and we are still trying to be 1-0 each week. That's still our goal."

Havre and Billings Central will meet tonight at 7 inside Blue Pony Stadium. Havre travels to Livingston next Friday.

Havre Blue Ponies

(1-5) lost to

Sidney last week

vs

Billings Central Rams

(6-0) beat Belgrade last week

Tonight at 7 p.m.

at Blue Pony Stadium

Radio: 610 KOJM AM