Blue Ponies collar the Bulldogs in Hardin

The Havre High football team wrapped up week three with another statement win

The latest victory for the Ponies came Friday night when Havre topped Hardin 35-12 in an Eastern A road clash in Hardin.

The Blue Ponies are off to a great start in the early season with a 2-1 record.

After beating Glendive in week two, Havre had to make it past another Eastern A team in Hardin. The game against the Bulldogs was a test for the Ponies.

Havre had an objective in the game that the Ponies struggled with in the past couple games, finishing in the first half. The Ponies accomplished their goal, as the Bulldogs didn't score in the first half.

The second half was more of a struggle, but in the end the Ponies came away with a dominant win against Hardin.

Head coach Ryan Gatch was happy about the results of the game.

“We played pretty good football,” said Gatch. “Started out fast. We needed to do that.”

The Blue Ponies did not hold back in the first half, scoring 21 points.

Havre came right out of the gate with a spectacular opening drive. Senior running back Mason Dionne ran for six yards in two plays, then senior quarterback Reese Bulkley completed a pass to sophomore wide receiver Orion Thivierge for a 64-yard play that went all the way to the endzone.

It only took the Ponies 1:44 to put seven points on the board and set the tone for the game.

Hardin found no luck in their opening drive, losing yards and finding junior defensive lineman Kellen Detrick terrorizing their backfield. The Bulldogs had to punt the ball away.

Havre did good work on the punt return, making it all the way to the Hardin 14-yard line. Dionne would then do what he does best, rushing for 12 yards and then a two-yard touchdown run, extending the Ponies lead 14-0.

Another score with 8:02 left in the first gave Havre a great mindset throughout the rest of the half.

Hardin struggled once again. More lost yardage and another punt gave the Ponies the ball back with 6:23 left in the first.

Havre took some time on the next drive. Dionne rushed from the Pony 27 to the Bulldog 33 on the first play. Bulkley, Dionne, and Detrick then shared some rushing yards to achieve two first downs. A Hardin offsides penalty gave the Ponies a five-yard freebie, which Detrick took advantage of and caught a pass from Bulkley in the endzone. Havre sat comfy with a 21-0 lead after a 3:18, 73-yard drive.

The rest of the first half found no scores from both teams. Multiple turnovers on downs and punts from the Ponies and the Bulldogs led to a more mundane game at the end of the first half. Havre was still up at the half 21-0.

“I was real happy with how focused we were,” said Gatch. “It was fun, especially anytime you jump somebody and get up 21 to nothing.”

The third quarter was a tougher part of the game for the Ponies. Hardin would score two touchdowns on consecutive drives.

The Bulldogs’ first drive would start at their own 20. Hardin lost a yard, threw an incomplete pass, but then the Bulldogs connected on an 81-yard TD pass to get on the board and make the score was 21-6.

Havre was able to answer right back, though.

Multiple passes from Bulkley to his many different running backs, including junior Bradyn Winchell, would accompany dominant runs from Dionne, capping off a 76-yard drive in 3:16 with Dionne finding the endzone once again. The Ponies missed the extra point kick but had a confident lead of 27-6.

Hardin retaliated with another touchdown. After a couple short plays, a 62-yard bomb gave the Bulldogs another six to their score.

Hardin did not score on the conversion attempt but tricked the Ponies with an outside kick to get the ball back right away.

The Bulldogs went on a march down the field, looking to score again. Unfortunately, penalties and incomplete passes haunted Hardin’s drive that ended in a punt.

The Blue Ponies capitalized and scored again. Bulkley passed to Winchell for a 42-yard reception, then Dionne added more points for Havre with a 29-yard TD run. Add a successful conversion to that and the Ponies lead 35-12.

Havre’s offense ended the night with great stats. The Ponies had 195 passing yards, 221 rushing yards, no fumbles, no interceptions, and a total of 416 yards in 49 plays left the offense on a good note.

Thivierge had a very good game with four receptions for 136 yards. Dionne led the night with 158 rushing yards. Bulkley mainly ran and received against Glendive in week two but put on a passing showcase against Hardin last Friday with 167 yards, proving his versatility on the field for Havre.

The Pony defense also had a commanding game.

Detrick ended the night with seven tackles, five assist, two sacks, and three tackles-for-loss. Senior Quinn Springer had three tackles, three assists, two sacks and three tackles-for-loss caused a fumble. Dexter Beck racked up one tackle, two assists, a sack and a tackle-for-loss. Thivierge had an interception for Havre, as well.

The Blue Ponies have a lot to look forward to in their season after winning two consecutive games, both at home and on the road.

“To be able to bring our Havre flag out and go out and have a big game, it was fun,” said Gatch.

The Ponies week four game will be a big challenge. A home game against the Laurel Locomotives Friday night presents Havre with an opportunity to take down a team that has proven to be an obstacle for them in past years.

Havre High kicks off against Laurel High this Friday at 7 p.m. in Blue Pony Stadium.

Havre 35, Hardin 12

Havre 21 0 15 0 - 35

Hardin 0 0 12 0 - 12

HAV – Reese Bulkley 64 pass to Orion Thivierge (PAT good)

HAV – Mason Dionne 2 run (PAT good)

HAV – Bulkley 7 pass to Kellen Detrick (PAT good)

HAR – Schwinn 81 pass to Redfield (Conversion no good)

HAV – Dionne 12 run (PAT no good)

HAR – Schwinn 62 pass to Bear Claw (Conversion no good)

HAV - Dionne 29 run (Conversion good)

Havre Individual Stats

Passing – Reese Bulkley 6-7 for 167, Trenton Maloughney 1-1 for 28

Rushing – Mason Dionne 18-158, R. Bulkley 11-37, Bradyn Winchell 6-19, Kellen Detrick 3-7

Receiving – Orion Thivierge 4-136, R. Bulkley 1-28, K. Detrick 1-20, Brock Nystrom 1-11.