Blue Ponies dominate Hardin to open season

The season finally arrived for the Havre High football team on Friday night at Blue Pony Stadium. And the Blue Ponies opened the season in style with a 43-12 victory over the Hardin Bulldogs.

The Ponies took little time to get going on Friday night. On their opening possession of the game, quarterback Ciaran Courtnage connected with Tre Gary on passing play to make it first and goal in Hardin territory. On the next play, the Ponies ran it in for the touchdown to take the 7-0 lead.

After stopping the Bulldogs on fourth down, the Ponies got right back to work. Thanks to several strong runs and a defensive pass interference penalty, the Ponies once again got deep into Hardin territory. Courtnage then threw a touchdown pass to Tate Nelson. The Ponies then converted on the two-point trying to extend the lead to 15-0.

The Havre defense forced a punt and the offense drove right down the field. Courtnage capped off the drive with another touchdown pass to extend the lead to 21-0. But the Bulldogs responded by returning the ensuing kickoff all the way for the touchdown to cut Havre's lead to 21-6 late in the first quarter.

The Havre offense slowed down in the second quarter, but the Bulldogs were unable to take advantage to claw their way back into the game. Late in the half, the Ponies recovered a fumble deep in Hardin territory. Two plays later, Nelson ran it in for a touchdown to make it a 27-6 lead at halftime.

The Bulldogs tried to score on their opening possession of the third quarter, but turned it over on third quarter. The Ponies responded with Courtnage throwing a touchdown to Rhett Wertheimer to push the lead to 34-6.

Even with the large advantage, the Ponies continued to add onto the lead. On the Bulldogs' next possession, a high snap on the punt went out of the back of the end zone, resulting in a safety that pushed the lead to 36-6. Later in the third, Wertheimer ran in the ball for another touchdown to make it a 43-6 game.

The Bulldogs eventually scored a touchdown on offense in the fourth quarter. But there was not enough time to mount a comeback as the Ponies went on to win. With the victory, the Ponies start the season 1-0.

The HHS football team will continue the season on the road against Billings Central this Friday at 6 p.m.

Havre 43, Hardin 12

HAR - 6 0 0 6 - 12

HAV - 21 6 16 0 - 43