Friday Night Lights: The night they'll never forget

The Havre High football team has a big home game tonight at in Blue Pony Stadium, because not only is it the last game of the regular season, but it is also the football team’s senior night and Havre’s homecoming, as well.

Senior night is a big event for the Ponies. There is no shortage of emotion, drive and passion that the players and fans show for their team. The Blue Pony seniors are nearing the end of their last year and have put blood, sweat and tears into their high school football careers.

Being a senior is a big deal for the current group of young men in the HHS football program. They are the leaders, examples and helpers and their effort is what helps make the team special. The seniors are on their way to a new world after this year and they have made the most of the 2019 season.

Havre High head coach Ryan Gatch is proud of how far his senior class has come.

“The senior class is awesome,” said Gatch. “They’ve been through thick and thin with us. Man, when they were freshmen we had a team win five games and so they saw a little bit of what they can do. Then, we went into the Eastern A and they saw the ugly thing that’s real at an 0-9 season. They battled through it. A lot of people could quit and these guys stuck with it through everything. They’ve put us in a good position to have a good football team this year.”

The HHS football senior class consists of lineman Dexter Beck, quarterback Reese Bulkley, running back Mason Dionne, lineman Kasee Henderson, DB Jarah Kinsella, DB Joah Kinsella, tight end Noah Nitz, wide receiver Troy Powell, lineman John South and lineman Quinn Springer.

The Pony seniors have been a consistent presence this year for a much-improved Blue pony squad. All of them have been major playmakers for the Ponies and have pushed through every up and down that has come their way.

The game against Lewistown tonight is where the young men plan to give it their all.

Tonight is their night and the Blue Pony seniors know what it means to them.

“It’s pretty special,” said Jarah Kinsella. “I feel like everyone can just be themselves.”

And being themselves out on the field is no problem for the seniors. They have made a big impact every game they have played this year, even previous years, too. Tonight, these young men look to put on a show for the home crowd and finish off the regular season with a bang.

The seniors have shared many memories together, as well, but the majority of them agreed that the 2018 season-opener against the Hardin Bulldogs was their favorite from being part of Blue Pony football.

For senior John South, though, he finds a fondness in a different memory.

“My first ever varsity playing time against Billings Central, just going in and playing the best that I could to better the team.”

Along with South, the seniors are the highlight of being team players. Everyone of them always has one another’s back. It is a brotherhood and second family for these young men. They share a huge bond that makes a difference out on the field.

Not only is senior night and the memories the young men have shared special, but so is the “Pony Walk.” After all, it is their last time they step out on the field in the regular season. The “Pony Walk” is a fond moment for every single senior and it fills them with a sense of pride, but some sadness, too.

“It means a lot,” said Joah Kinsella. “I’m probably going to cry throughout most of it, but just a bit. It’s the last time we’ll be playing a regular season game together on the field.”

The seniors are all in high spirits for tonight’s game and have much to reflect on as they take the field one last time beside each other in the regular season. Every one of them has come far since they first joined the Blue Ponies.

Some have been on varsity longer than others and some have started in more recent seasons. Either way, the seniors have learned a lot in their career at Havre. They have many lessons and stories to pass down to their peers when they move forward.

Nitz especially knows what lessons he has learned as he made his way through high school football.

“I’ve always learned that you just got to go all in,” said Nitz. “You got to play and work hard. I was never a starter until this year but if you work for it, you’re going to get there.”

Havre’s homecoming is tonight, as well. There will be an extra level of excitement and intensity from the team, as well as the stands. The Ponies will be bringing a lot of energy and heat to the game. The stands will be packed and the crowd will be loud. After all, tonight's game isn’t just special, it’s huge.

To all the seniors, this game means so much and will be a night they will not forget. In the end, the seniors have been through thick and thin together. It is their time to go out on that field in Blue Pony Stadium and give it all they have. No doubt everyone who has been a part of their high school football careers have made an impact on who they are today.

And they are ready for some more football.

The Blue Ponies kick off against the Lewistown Golden Eagles tonight at 7 in Blue Pony Stadium.