IT'S FINALLY TIME TO KICK OFF

It is the moment local fans have been waiting for. After an uncertain outlook on the 2020 fall season, the Havre High football team will be ready to get back out on the field and make the most of the 2020 season. The quest for a Class A crown will be a tough one, but the Blue Ponies are ready to start off on the right track tonight.

Blue Pony Stadium will welcome the Laurel Locomotives, as Havre will play them in their home and season-opener. There will be limited fan attendance due to the two ticket per rostered player that Havre High put into place, but be sure that the home crowd that is there will be cheering on the Ponies with all their spirit. This game has been long overdue.

And Havre head coach Ryan Gatch is ready to get on the field and start off the season at home.

"What a great opportunity to get back into action playing some football at Blue Pony Stadium," Gatch said. "We got a top-ranked Laurel Locomotives team coming in that returns a lot of great players. It's a great measuring stick for our guys, seniors and everybody that has put a lot of hard work in this year to put us into this position to be able to play another game at home. We're really excited about it."

Havre will have plenty of power and talent lined up tonight. All-state senior defensive lineman Kellen Detrick will be hungry to get to the quarterback and disrupt the run-game, while the defense as a whole will be looking to shut down the Locomotives potent offense.

Meanwhile, veteran junior quarterback Trenton Maloughney will look to push the passing attack, while receivers like senior Brock Nystrom and junior Orion Thivierge will aim to complete that connection. As for the run-game, senior Bradyn Winchell and Detrick will be aiming to truck their way down the field to get the Ponies to the endzone. Senior offensive linemen Ethan Carlson and Carson Lunak will be looking to protect the quarterback and open up the field for the running backs tonight, too.

Laurel was a championship caliber team in 2019 and Gatch is looking forward to the opportunity to see the Locomotives bring a big game to Blue Pony Stadium.

"Laurel returns a whole offensive line, an all-state quarterback and kick returner and they got great players," Gatch said. "They're well-coached. Coach Ludwig has been there for a long time and has won a lot of football games. They got a great staff. We got a lot of things we got to work on here, but good news that we got great staff and good people in our program. It should be one heck-of-a matchup tonight."

The Locomotives have a powerful offensive attack, with all-state quarterback Montana State recruit Eli Aby returning, as well as an offensive line that has been known to not only become a brick wall to defend the quarterback but also has opened up plenty of pathways to make the Laurel run-game shine, too. There will be a tough task ahead for the Havre defense tonight.

Defense has been a good strength for the Locomotives, too. Laurel has held the Ponies to a single touchdown more than once in past meetings and steamrolled over Havre at Blue Pony Stadium in 2019. At the end of the day, the Blue Ponies will be looking for a good dose of revenge tonight for last season's game.

As senior night will be a part of tonight's action, as well, Gatch is looking forward to the seniors making the most of the home and season-opener on their home turf.

"They've played a lot of football for us," Gatch said. "I'm excited about our seniors. I can't think of any greater group of dudes to go into battle with tonight than this group. Last year we had a great group, this year we got a great group and we just keep getting better and better. When we talk about culture, that kind of thing isn't built overnight. Last year's group of seniors and this year's have been a big part in making that culture. That's a big thing for us."

With that, the Blue Ponies (0-0) will take on the Laurel Locomotives (0-0) tonight at Blue Pony Stadium, as both teams are looking to start off the 2020 season right, with a win on the board. It's time for the moment that Havre football and fans have been waiting for.

Tonight at 7 p.m.

at Blue Pony Stadium

Radio: 610 KOJM AM/Stream: NFHS