Per usual, local Cat-Griz fans sticking to their side of Montana's Great Divide

It so many ways, Havre is unique. In many ways, it's unlike anywhere else in Montana.

However, there is one way in which Havre is no different than pretty much every town in Montana minus Missoula and Bozeman.

Havre is a town divided.

That's right, no matter who says otherwise, when it comes to the great football rivalry between Montana and Montana State, Havre does not lean heavily one way or another.

Oh, best believe fans of both sides of the rivalry will try to lay claim to Havre and the Hi-Line being their town, but it's not true.

Havre, and all the surrounding areas, are littered with Cats and Griz alike, and that means, while Havre is no different than Kalispell or Billings or Anaconda or Eureka or Ekalaka for that matter, it is special.

Yes, being a town divided on Cat-Griz is what makes Havre special, it's what makes being a college football fan in Montana special, and it's what makes Saturday, when the Cats and Griz meet for the 119th time, an extremely special day.

So, here's our annual Cat-Griz game predictions from locals on both sides of the rivalry.

The 2019 Brawl of the Wild will kick off at noon Saturday at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, and will be televised nationally on Root Sports.

Ed Norman

The Havre High Principle didn't grow up a fan of the Montana Grizzlies - rather he did what so many have done - he married into a Griz family.

"My wife's dad coached with the Grizzlies under Jack Swarthout," Norman, who said he moved to Missoula in 1993, and eventually obtained his Master's Degree, from UM said. "Their family were obviously very big Griz' fans, and I'm a Griz, too."

Of course, Norman is picking the Griz to beat the Bobcats saying:

"I think the Cats will come out hard and fast," he said. "Griz will probably be down at halftime, but eventually, they'll turn it around and get the win."

Score: 29-24, Griz

Ryan Gatch

Gatch is fresh off leading the Havre Blue Ponies to their first Class A playoff appearance in a four years. He's also become somewhat of a resident Bobcat picker for this column, though he did attend Dickinson State University, and the Blue Hawks, like the Blue Ponies, are nearest and dearest to his heart. Still, Gatch also roots for the Bobcat Blue and Gold, and he's picking the Cats in a barn burner Saturday.

"If I was to go with my football head, I'd say the Griz are playing at a really high level right now. Their defense is playing really well. But, I'm going with my heart. If I remember correctly, the Cats have won three in a row, and they have an offense that is very versatile and multiple, with all of their running backs and quarterbacks and wide receivers, and they have Troy Andersen. And this one's at home, so, it's going to be a good game."

Score: 41-34, Cats

Kasee Henderson

Havre High senior offensive lineman Kasee Henderson recently committed to the Montana State University-Northern Lights.

But when it comes to the Cat-Griz rivalry, there's no questioning where Henderson's heart lies.

The starting Blue Pony, who is fresh off helping HHS to a win and a quarterfinal appearance in the Class A playoffs is a diehard Griz fan, and. he's going with the Griz to win in Bozeman Saturday.

"They're rolling," said Henderson. "They're on a hot streak right now. Did you see what they did to Weber (State)? I got the Griz."

Score: 34-17, Griz

Brandy Kurtz

The owner of Western Trailer Sales, Kurtz roots the hardest for MSU-Northern women's basketball, but when it comes to the Cat-Griz rivalry, she's all Griz, and for good reasons.

"The day the Grizzlies won the 1995 national championship was my birthday, and I was having a party at the bowling alley, and I wouldn't go into my own party until I made sure the Griz won the game. I listened to it on the radio in the car. My mom had always followed the Griz, so I started following them that season, and so we listened to that game in the car together. That's a really nice memory I have with her. And then I remember when Dave Dickinson came to Tilleman's and I got to meet him, and still have the sweater and flag he (Dickinson) signed for me that day when I was a kid."

Kurtz' love of the Griz continued into her adult years, too. As an alum of Havre High, like many in Havre, Kurtz was so proud to follow the Griz during the Marc Mariani years, too.

"It was awesome watching Marc Mariani play for them," she said. "We've known their family forever. His parents are longtime customers of ours, and it was so much fun to see our hometown kid go down to Missoula and do all of those amazing things those years."

And Kurtz is still watching the Griz, and expects a big win Saturday.

Score: 35-17, Griz

Allix Goldhahn

A red-shirt sophomore guard for the MSU-Northern Skylights, Goldhahn is solely focused on hoops season and won't get to watch Saturday's Brawl of the Wild as her undefeated Skylights will be playing Dickinson State in Great Falls.

Still, she'll be eager to know how the Cat-Griz turns out when her game is over, as she's been a diehard Bobcat fan for as long as she can remember, thanks mostly to her dad, Pat.

"Been cheering for the Cats ever since I was little," Goldhahn said. "My dad is a huge fan, and I've been one, too."

And in the spirit of the rivalry, Goldhahn's Adopt-a-Skylight program mom is none other than Kurtz, who is a diehard Griz fan - something Allix tries not to hold against her.

"Except for the Skylights, we don't agree on any of our sports teams," Goldhahn said laughing. "She's pretty much giving me a hard time for all the teams I like."

And though Goldhahn loves and appreciates her relationship with Kurtz and their family, nothing will sway her allegiance, or change her mind from picking the Cats Saturday.

Score: 38-31, Cats

Dennis Murphy

A University of Montana alum, Murphy, the longtime Havre High Activities Director has been picking in this column for a long time, and he always picks the Griz.

And why shouldn't he? Murphy got a degree from UM, and has simply been a diehard Griz football fan for a long time - a torch that's being passed on to a pair of his children, who now both attend UM at the same time.

"It's special to have them there now," Murphy said. "It means a lot to you as a parent when you have kids at a school you respect and love so much. But it also gives me a reason to get back down there more often now.

"Griz Nation is special," he continued. "Football games are a huge social gathering, where you get a chance, at least for a short time, to see people you know, and catch up with people and friends from all over the state. It's just one of those things, game days in Griz Nation are really special, and the University of Montana is a special place."

And though Murphy was a basketball coach, and a highly successful one, he knows football, and he's picking his Griz Saturday.

"Gotta go with the Griz," he said. "Their defense is playing awfully good. Cats have a great defense, too, and their running game is really good, but the Griz' defense might be the big difference in this game. I just think they're going to rise to the occasion in this one."

Score: 27-24, Griz

Scott Miller

Like so many, Miller was born into Bobcat fandom. His dad, former Havre Public Schools Superintendent Kirk Miller, and his mom are proud alumni and have been lifelong Bobcat fans.

Like so many in the rivalry, though, Miller actually attended the University of Montana for a stint in college, and doesn't mind admitting he was in the student section for many of his good buddy Marc Mariani's big moments as a Griz.

Still, Miller's love and loyalty for the Cats has never wavered. And with the glory days of Mariani long gone from the Grizzlies, Miller has no conflicts when it comes to the Brawl of the Wild, and, the Youth Development Professional at the Havre Boys and Girls Club is picking the Cats to win big Saturday.

Score: 38-34, Cats