The Havre High football team suffered a second consecutive road defeat last Friday night at Dawson County. The team was able to rally after being down by as many as 11 points in the first half and even made the game interesting early in the fourth quarter but were unable to get over the hump.
Still, head coach Jake Eldridge praised his squad for fighting back and giving themselves a chance to win the football game.
“I’m proud of the kids for the way they fought back,” Eldridge said. “They handled the adversity and believed in one another and clawed themselves back. We just didn’t have enough there at the end to make it the way we wanted it.”
This particular game was on the same trend as the last time Havre was on the road. Against Billings Central Catholic, the team marched down the field on its opening drive but failed to reach the end zone. The same thing happened this time around, only it was a turnover that stunted the team. Eldridge took accountability for the momentum shift.
“It’s tough,” Eldridge said. “You start off the game that way and do a pretty good job of moving the ball down the field, sitting there at first and goal within the five-yard line and throwing an interception there.”
“It was on us as a coaching staff,” Eldridge continued. “The execution wasn’t where it needed to be and it really cost us.”
Havre has gone through their defeats in the same way and Eldridge said that they are handling the results really well.
“They’re handling adversity the right way,” Eldridge said. “We just tried to refocus ourselves and knew that the game wasn’t going to be won or lost during that first drive but those are definitely momentum things, and we are going to get better at that.”
“We’ve worked hard this week on communication and getting back to doing that kind of stuff the right way, so hopefully it will help us here going forward.”
Forward is the Blue Ponies getting ready to take on the Lockwood Lions this coming Friday night. Eldridge said that even when the teams matched up last year that the kids on the other sideline did not give up despite being blown out, (36-7).
“Coach (Shane) Larson does a great job with those guys,” Eldridge said. “Even when we played them last year up here in Havre, it was a team that wouldn’t quit.”
“It was a little bit of a runaway, but by no means did it feel that way,” Eldridge continued. “Those kids continue to play hard (and) they compete and execute.”
Now, the Lions are (3-1) and have turned their program around after a struggle last season. However, they are coming off of a (31-7) beatdown against Fergus last week. Eldridge previews what to expect when the teams take the field on Friday night.
“Those guys are going to be hungry; they’re going to fight,” Eldridge said. “They’re doing a great job down there and we’re really excited for a competitive game.”
“Great offensive staff and quarterback dynamic,” Eldridge continued. “The running game is going to be important for them (and) that quarterback is going to make plays with his feet. Their running backs run really hard (and) their offensive line is big and physical.”
The biggest piece of advice Eldridge has for his team going into the contest?
“We’ve got to be better on special teams,” Eldridge said. “We’ve got to be a lot more consistent on both fronts. Controlling the line of scrimmage is going to be vital.”
“If we can be consistent in controlling our errors and not hold ourselves back, then we have a really good chance to win this ballgame,” Eldridge said.
The Blue Ponies take the field against Lockwood on Friday night with a 7pm kickoff. That game can be heard on KOJM-610AM.
