Blue Ponies fall short against Glendive

Long road trips are never easy, and that was true for the Havre High football team this past Friday. On the road, the Blue Ponies played competitively but ultimately lost, 21-20, to the Glendive Red Devils.

The Ponies put together a solid drive to begin the game as they marched their way down to the Glendive two-yard line. But Ciaran Courtnage's pass to the end zone was intercepted by Shann McPherson.

Just like the Ponies, the Devils marched right down the field on their opening possession of the game. But they were able to capitalize. At the Havre 23-yard line, Carter Amsler found Aiden Zody-Cayko for the touchdown to give Glendive the lead.

The Devils put together another strong drive when they got the ball back. But after working their way down to the Havre 20-yard line, Amsler threw an interception to Brisbin Reiter.  The Ponies capitalized on the turnover as they went on a drive that resulted in a 30-yard field goal by Ty Golie.

Later in the half, the Devils got on a roll again as they marched down to the Havre five-yard line. Amsler then connected with Jaden Silha for a touchdown pass to give Glendive a 14-3 lead heading into halftime.

On the other side of halftime, the Ponies responded to get themselves back in the game. At the end of a long drive that got them to the Glendive eight-yard line, Courtnage found Tre Gary for the score to cut the deficit to 14-10.

But the Devils wasted little time responding. On the ensuing kickoff, Kohbe Smith returned the kick 80 yards all the way for the score to give the Devils a 21-10 lead late in the third quarter.

With time running out, the Ponies struck back early in the fourth quarter. After the offense worked its way down to the Glendive 15-yard line, Courtnage found Rhett Wertheimer for the score. Courtnage then completed the two-point attempt to Tate Nelson to cut the deficit to 21-18.

The Ponies then caught a break on special teams. As the Devils lined up to punt, the snap went over the punter's head. Looking to avoid a fumble recovery for a Havre touchdown, the punter kicked the ball out of the back of the end zone for the safety.

After the safety, the Ponies got the ball back trailing, 21-20, with just a few minutes remaining in the game. The Ponies got some momentum as they reached the Glendive 44-yard line. But on fourth and four, Courtnage's pass fell incomplete and the Ponies turned it over on downs. The Devils then ran out the clock to end the game.

With the loss, the Ponies fell to 2-2 on the year. The HHS football team will next play on the road against Lockwood this Friday at 7 p.m.

Glendive 21, Havre 20

HAV - 0 3 7 10 - 20

GLE - 7 7 7 0 - 21

GLE - Aiden Zody-Cayco 23 pass from Carter Amsler (Dominick Ryan kick)

HAV - Ty Golie 30 field goal

GLE - Jaden Silha 5 pass from Amsler (Ryan kick)

HAV - Tre Gary 8 pass from Ciaran Courtnage (Golie kick)

GLE - Kohbe Smith 80 kickoff return (Ryan kick)

HAV - Rhett Wertheimer 15 pass from Courtnage (Tate Nelson pass from Courtnage)