Havre’s football regular season came to a heartbreaking end this past week, losing to Fergus, (31-27). New Media Broadcasters asked head coach Jake Eldridge about how this defeat was similar to the one against Custer County earlier in the season and he said the team went through some struggles late, but that it is his job to help the squad regroup ahead of the next challenge.
“There were just some situations that we didn’t execute like we needed to (like) obviously fourth down,” Eldridge said. “(We) just ended up giving up too many big plays for touchdowns.”
“There were a couple of missed assignments (and) coverage busts,” Eldridge continued. “(It was a) heck of a ball game. The kids competed really hard and it was a very competitive atmosphere, which we knew it would be.”
The Blue Ponies will be the No. 4 seed from the eastern division for the start of Class ‘A’ playoffs and will have a rematch with East Helena, which was a (33-28) Havre victory on the road for the Vigilantes homecoming. Eldridge shared what he expects to see on the other sideline and how the Ponies can come out with a victory against a quality playoff opponent.
“They’re just a very dynamic team,” Eldridge said. “Offensively, they’ve got a lot of skill guys and their quarterback (senior Jack Taylor) is a heck of a football player. A lot of weapons on offense that we definitely have to focus on.”
“Make sure we’re on assignment on defense,” Eldridge continued. “Defensively, they get after you with their four down linemen and playing some Cover 3 stuff and some man free stuff.”
“They present a challenge to us on offense,” Eldridge said.
Coach Eldridge shared some parting words as he gets ready to coach his third-straight home playoff game.
“(A) new season is starting for us now,” Eldridge said. “Looking at game one here in the playoffs, we’re really excited.”
“We continue to get better week in and week out, regardless of the results of football games,” Eldridge continued. “I think (we) take a look at ourselves and see where we can improve each week and we’ve continually done that.”
“I’m excited about where we’re at,” Eldridge said. “New game, one at a time here. Excited about Friday.”
Havre (6-3) will match up with East Helena (5-4) at Blue Pony Stadium on Friday night. Noah Friedman will cover the game on KOJM-610AM, 98.3FM, 92.5 Digital Channel 3, and HiLineToday.com starting around 7pm.
