Ponies visit Laurel with playoffs on the line

The 2021 season has seen many ups and downs for the Havre High football team. After a 2-1 start to the season, the Blue Ponies then lost four in a row before they defeated Livingston last week on senior night.

The regular season now comes to an end tonight as the Ponies head on the road to play Laurel. With a win tonight, the Ponies can earn a spot in the playoffs. However, they will have to defeat the defending State A champions and undefeated Laurel Locomotives. Regardless of what happens tonight, HHS head coach Ryan Gatch expects the Ponies to compete hard.

"We expect to go down there and compete," Gatch said. "With Laurel being the defending state champs, we want to give a state-championship effort."

After winning the state championship last fall, the Locomotives are 7-0 this season and first in the Eastern A. While Laurel lost many seniors from last season, several players returned to lead Laurel to success. Seniors wide receiver Emmett Renner and running back Beau Dantic lead the Laurel offense. On defense, cornerbacks Renner and Kyson Moran patrol the secondary while inside linebacker Shel Osborne cleans up the middle. Along with their new players, the Locomotives are a formidable foe.

"They got a good quarterback, a good running back and a good offensive line. Defense is solid, not giving up many points all year long," Gatch said. "There's a reason why they're undefeated right now and they're playing good football."

Laurel's success this season has been led by its defense that only allows 7.4 points a game. In what may be his final game in the HHS football program, running back Orion Thivierge should be a key part of the Ponies' offensive attack tonight.

"We got to get Orion the ball a number of different ways," Gatch said. "Our offensive line and our tight end have got to be doing a great job blocking."

Heading into tonight, the Ponies have a 3-5 record. Havre is coming off a 57-8 victory over Livingston last week in the Ponies' senior night. During that game, the Ponies excelled on both sides of the ball for their best performance this season. While Laurel is a much tougher opponent than Livingston, Gatch hopes the Ponies can carry their momentum into this pivotal matchup.

"Anytime you get wins it builds confidence. Doesn't matter if you beat Miles City or Laurel or Livingston, you're building confidence," Gatch said. "We're clicking right now. Our offensive line is solid and our quarterback is back healthy."

With the season coming down to tonight against one of the best teams in the state, the Ponies will have to give everything they have if they want to compete. While Havre has faced much adversity through the year. Gatch believes his team will be prepared for the challenge.

"We got to go out there and play big-time winning football," Gatch said. "What we've been practicing for all year long is the opportunity to play in a state championship caliber game and that's what we have."

The Ponies will play tonight at Laurel at 6 p.m.