Playoff implications on the line for Ponies in Glendive

After a 2-1 start to the season, the Havre High football have lost two games in a row against tough opponents. Now they have the chance to get back on track when they play Glendive tonight.

However, the Blue Ponies will have to leave the friendly confines of Blue Pony Stadium and head on a 300-mile road trip to Glendive to face the Red Devils. Despite the long trip, HHS head coach Ryan Gatch expects his team to come out strong tonight.

"Expectations are to travel well. We got to travel awesome," Gatch said. "We've been prepping all week that we got to get our mind right about travelling and being on the bus for nearly six hours to be able to go out and compete at the highest level possible for us."

Glendive comes into the game with a 1-3 overall record and are fourth in the Northeast A with an 0-2 conference record. Like the Ponies, the Devils have defeated Hardin while losing to Lewistown, Billings Central and Miles City this season. The Devils had a bye last week so they will have had two weeks to prepare for the Ponies tonight.

Even though they lost to Miles City in their last game, the Devils' offense moved the ball as they gained over 450 total yards. The Glendive offense is led by senior quarterback Parker Buckley who was second-team all-conference last season. He will have many playmakers to help him on offense. Senior running back Dawson Rowsey returns after being named second-team all-conference last fall. Buckley also has senior wide receiver Riley Basta who was honorable mention all-conference last season.

The Devils also have several returning offensive linemen to protect their quarterback. Max Eaton returns for his senior season after being named an All-State Class A offensive lineman last year. Buckley will also have the protection of returning offensive lineman Casper Sackman who was second-team all-conference last fall. With a solid group of playmakers and linemen around him, Gatch believes Buckley can give the Ponies some trouble tonight.

"They got an outstanding quarterback there and they got a number of good-skill kids and they're able to protect the passer," Gatch said. "(Buckley's) got a lot of really talented athletes around him so we're going to have to go down there and play great football."

Not only will the Ponies try to get back to .500 tonight, but they will also try to get revenge against Glendive. Last season, the Ponies lost, 32-14, to the Devils on the road. In that game, Havre turned it over four times in the first half which led to a 28-0 nothing hole they could not get out of. That game was also earlier in the season when Havre was still trying to figure out their strengths and weaknesses. Gatch believes with his team more experienced this time out, it will be a more competitive game.

"Real confident in the leadership on our team playing this game later in the season. It's going to be one heck of a ball game," Gatch said. "The guys are focused and excited about the opportunity this weekend."

During their two-game losing streak, turnovers have plagued the Ponies. These giveaways allowed their opponents to build leads that Havre was not able to overcome. If they are going to have a chance to defeat Glendive tonight, the Ponies will need to take care of the ball.

"Ball security is going to be major. That has been all year a point of emphasis," Gatch said. "Obviously, we need to keep the football to be successful. Last two games, unfortunately we have not done a very good job of that."

HHS football will play on the road against Glendive tonight at 6 p.m.