Pony Power opens in Sidney

This is the moment the Havre Blue Ponies, head coach Ryan Gatch, all of Havre's assistants, and all Blue Pony fans have been waiting for.

That's right, it's time for the Ponies to stampede the field and they want to start big, by going and getting a season-opening victory in 2019.

Havre will get their chance tonight when the team takes on the Sidney Eagles at 7, at Sidney High School. It's the second straight year the Ponies have played Sidney, as well as the second time the Ponies will play the Eagles in an away game. Last year, Havre lost to Sidney 40-3, not the result they were hoping for.

But, it's a new year and the two teams have some new looks.

Gatch and his coaching staff are confident about the team's abilities, but also know the first game will hopefully work out some of the struggles the team may have. On top of that, the Ponies' offense is without some of their key players from last season, like star wide receiver, Ethan Roberts, who was a dangerous player on the field. Even then, Gatch knows a new year and a new chance to show off the talent and skill, as well as what the team has worked so hard for - a win in their first game.

"We feel really good," HHS head coach Ryan Gatch said. "Our numbers are great; our energy is great and we have a lot of kids that have invested a lot of time in this program. This is a fun group of guys to be around and our team chemistry is just awesome."

The Blue Ponies have been pushing themselves to new heights for most of the summer. Many practices and the Blue/White Day have been helping the Ponies improve every day, and they're getting prepared for the Eagles, who ended last season with a 4-5 record.

Even with all the preparations, the Blue Ponies know that their success on the field will come down to what they can do rather than what Sidney can do.

Offensively, the Ponies look to utilize their senior quarterback, Reese Bulkley, running backs Kellen Detrick and Mason Dionne, and a versatile receiving core. The Ponies also look to use their offensive line to its full potential.

Sidney, which managed to hold the Blue Ponies to three points last season and caused a few turnovers, will look to contain them once more.

The Sidney offense is also looking to shine again this year, deploying returning players like RB Riley Waters, who had a couple touchdowns last year against the Ponies, and QB Cooper McGlothin, who also had his fair share of touchdowns against Havre, to repeat the success they had when they last faced the Blue Ponies.

On the other side of the ball, the Havre defense hopes to dish Sidney some of its own medicine, containing and keeping the Eagles offense from scoring points. Players like defensive lineman Kasee Henderson, defensive back Troy Powell, and defensive players Jarah and Joah Kinsella to help the defense succeed in their season opener.

For the Blue Ponies, they face a tough opponent to start off the season. Every play will be important on the field. Effort and playmaking are everything the Ponies must put forward to claim the win Friday night. Gatch and his coaching staff have been working to prepare their players for the heavy work load they'll have in Sidney.

But make no mistake, Havre is ready to prove their mettle on the field. With a promising offense, exciting defense, and a coaching staff with a knack for football, the Blue Ponies are looking to have a season full of potential. It all starts at Sidney. The Blue Ponies are going to have to give it all they've got this first game, it's go big or go home. It may be so that one of biggest tests of Havre's season will be their first.

"I am really happy we get to go to Sidney the first week of the season," Gatch said. "The entire conference is going to be challenging, but we are excited to go down there the first week of the season and play much better than we did a year ago. We didn't play well down there and we want to show that's not the type of program we are. And being 1-0, that is our goal right now. That is what our focus is."

Tonight's game against the Sidney Eagles kicks off at 7 p.m. at Sidney High School.

Havre 0-0 at Sidney 0-0

Tonight at 7 p.m.

in Sidney

Radio: 610 KOJM AM