Blue Pony football taking big steps in 2024

Last fall, the Havre high football team went on an exciting run to end the season the Class A Final Four.

But, with so much talent returning, head coach Jake Eldridge's team has their sights set even higher as they return to the field this week to open the season at Eastern A rival Hardin.

"The expectation never changes," Eldridge said. "Each year we want to reach our full potential as a team.  If we can work hard, consistently, day in and day out without looking into the future or relying on the past, the sky's the limit with this team.  Our schedule favors us in the fact we have five guaranteed games home at Blue Pony Stadium.  But traveling in the East is always tough.  We have to be at our best each week. If this team can care more about each other than anything else, this group will be special."

The Blue Ponies have special players all over the field, including on offense where they return their entire starting offensive line, as well as All-State stars Tre Gary and Colter Solomon at receiver. Returning starting running back Tate Nelson is back, and is joined in the backfield by junior Griffin Terry at quarterback as the Ponies return so many veterans on that side of the ball.

The experience is there on defense as well.Chris Bell and Pierce Caplette anchor the defensive line, while the Ponies also return Gary and Solomon return to anchor the defensive backs. In between, the Ponies lost three linebackers who all play college football now, so that will be an area where Havre is breaking in new players, but overall, the Pony defense should be very stingy.

And Havre will need to be strong on all sides of the ball as the Ponies navigate the Eastern A. Eldridge lists Central, Laurel, Lewistown and East Helena as other contenders in the Eastern A, while Havre's schedule will see the Ponies host Billings Central Sept. 6, travel to Miles City Sept. 13, host Glendive and Lockwood on back-to-back weeks to finish September, visit East Helena Oct. 4, host Laurel Oct. 11, travel to Sidney oct. 18 and host Lewistown Oct. 25.

And while that schedule is tough, Havre is a talented, veteran team that is well-coached and the Ponies can certainly compete for an Eastern A and Class A title this season.

"Our strength is definitely our experience, especially on offense. I also believe the expectation and standard for how we operate on a daily basis is something we can now say is a strength, this being my third year as head coach and fourth year in the program, this group understands my expectations and how we operate."

The Ponies open their season Friday night at Hardin. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.