Blue Ponies to host Whitefish to begin postseason

The Havre High football team has had a stellar season. Now, the Blue Ponies will be rewarded for their success this fall as they will now get to host a playoff game against Whitefish at Blue Pony Stadium this Saturday. After missing the playoffs last year, HHS head coach Jake Eldridge is excited for the Ponies' return to the tournament.

"I'm expecting a really good football game. Whitefish is a balanced team on both sides of the ball," Eldridge said. "The things that we've done so far have given us the opportunity to come out and compete against a really good football team, so we're really excited."

The Whitefish Bulldogs went 6-3 in the regular season to earn the Western No. 5 seed in the Class A football playoffs. After a loss to Dillon to start the season, the Bulldogs won six straight games to clinch a spot in the playoffs. During that stretch, the Bulldogs averaged 36.2 points a game and won those six games by an average of 21 points a contest.

But the Bulldogs suffered two straight losses to end the regular season. Their winning streak first came to an end with a 24-20 loss to Columbia Falls on the road. The Bulldogs then lost, 34-27, to Polson at home to end the regular season. Despite their recent defeats, the Bulldogs still have several players that can lead them to victory over the Ponies.

Fynn Ridgeway has been a dynamic quarterback for the Bulldogs after earning second-team all-conference honors last year. With him in the backfield is running back Ty Schwaiger, who was also second-team all-conference last season.

On the offensive line, former all-state guard Kai Nash will look to protect Ridgeway and create running lanes for Schwaiger. Even if the Whitefish offense stalls in Havre territory, the Bulldogs have all-state kicker Ryder Barinowski in their back pocket to score for them.

The Whitefish defense is also full of several playmakers. Schwaiger should be a concern at inside linebacker after earning all-state honors last year. The Havre offensive line will also need to watch out for defensive lineman Montana Cohenour.

Like the Bulldogs, the Ponies went 6-3 during the season to qualify for the postseason. With their finish, the Ponies earned the Eastern No. 4 seed to host a playoff game. After missing the postseason altogether last year, Eldridge believes hosting a playoff game this year is a good reward for the Ponies' hard work in turning around the program.

"I think it's going to be a great atmosphere," Eldridge said about a home playoff game. "It's just great to be able to see (the Ponies) have success and earn a home playoff game and to be able to play in front of our home fans here in Blue Pony Stadium."

The Ponies started the season 2-2 before winning four straight games to clinch a spot in the postseason. During that four-game stretch, the Havre offense picked up its production to average 32.5 points a game.

On offense, the Ponies are led by quarterback Kale Van Campen. During the season, Van Campen has moved the ball both with his passing and his legs. In the ground game, the Ponies also have the likes of Tate Nelson to carry the ball. In the passing game, Van Campen has Tre Gary, Carson Harris and Hunter Sawdey to throw the ball to.

Like the Bulldogs, the Ponies ended their regular season with a loss. At Blue Pony Stadium last Thursday, the Ponies lost, 3-0, to the Laurel Locomotives. While it was a slow day on offense to end the year, Eldridge wants his team to quickly move past it and look to improve regardless.

"It's a new season. Everything we did in the past is out the window," Eldridge said. "As an offense, we've got to get better in the run game and in the pass game. We've got to do a lot of things better. Especially now, you're going to face good teams every week now so for us, it's just execution."

Despite the loss to end the regular season, it was another example of the Ponies' strong play on defense in the latter half of the season. Over the last five games of the year, the Ponies only allowed 4.4 points a game on defense.

It has been a great season for the Ponies getting to this point. While they are proud of what they have accomplished this fall, Eldridge and the Ponies know the work is not done yet and there is plenty left to achieve this season.

"We understand that we're not done yet," Eldridge said. "We're not satisfied and we want to keep this thing going."

The HHS football team will kick off at 1 p.m. on Saturday against Whitefish at Blue Pony Stadium.