Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Randy Tommerup, Havre High football

The Havre High football season is set to kickoff this weekend when the Blue Ponies host Sidney at Blue Pony Stadium this Friday. Many players are excited to get back on the field, including Randy Tommerup who will be suiting up, for his senior season on the team. As he puts on the helmet and pads one last time, he looks forward to working with the younger players on his team this fall.

"I look forward to seeing the young kids. The freshmen and sophomores get better as they go along," Tommerup said. "Even the sophomores, they're way better than they were their freshman year, and it's just really interesting to see them finally get into it and learn more."

But while Tommerup has plenty to look forward to this fall, the end of his career will be bittersweet. Along with the team he has played with for years, Tommerup will have to move on from the great atmosphere he experiences at Blue Pony Stadium on Friday night.

"I'll miss the energy of the crowd on game nights. Just the home games being under the lights. The band playing, the crowd screaming," Tommerup said.

Tommerup's love for football began as he grew up watching the Pittsburgh Steelers. He eventually began playing the sport himself when he got to middle school, and he has played it ever since.

Like many players on the team, Tommerup plays on both sides of the ball for the Ponies. On offense, Tommerup plays offensive tackle just like his favorite player, former Steeler Alejandro Villanueva. On the other side of the ball, Tommerup plays defensive end, which he enjoys playing more.

"I think I like defensive lineman more because you basically just get to the line and get the ball," Tommerup said. "Not much to it. I just like hitting people."

Tommerup also brings that physicality to wrestling for the Ponies. Unlike football, he likes the fact that it is a solo activity and it all comes down to him whether he wins or loses.

"I like how it's just you out there. Nobody else. If you lose, it's on you," Tommerup said. "It's just really mental and nobody else can mess it up except for you. You don't have to worry about anybody else."

After he finishes up his senior year at Havre High, Tommerup plans on attending Montana Tech to learn petroleum engineering. While he is not sure if he will be able to play collegiate football, he would love to get the chance.

Tommerup and the HHS football open their season this Friday at 7 p.m. against Sidney at Blue Pony Stadium. Before they hit the field this weekend, the Havre Daily News got the chance to ask Tommerup a few questions.

HDN: Do you have a favorite football memory?

Tommerup: "I would say probably when we made it to the playoffs in 2019 and we beat Lewistown back-to-back weekends."

HDN: Who has helped you become the player that you are now?

Tommerup: "I would say Coach Will DeVries or Orion Thivierge because he really pushes me in the weight room and on the field."

HDN: How has wrestling helped you play football and vice versa?

Tommerup: "Wrestling helps my tackling a lot more than it would if I didn't wrestle and just learning strength from football carries over into wrestling."

HDN: Do you have any hobbies or passions outside of sports?

Tommerup: "I like to work on my (2001 Chevrolet Silverado) pickup a lot. Dump a lot of money into that. That and then just hanging out with friends. Going on a boat out on the lake in the summertime."

HDN: Do you play any video games?

Tommerup: "Sometimes I'll play video games but only when I have somebody else to play with like my teammates. That's a good way to bond with them. It's pretty fun. We like to play Modern Warfare, Warzone."