Helena Snaps Three Game Skid With 55-14 Win Over Benjamin Russell

HELENA, AL – The Helena Huskies claimed a dominate 55-14 Homecoming win over the Benjamin Russell Wildcats Friday night in north Shelby County. 

The win improves head coach Richie Busby’s Huskies to 3-3 on the season, 2-1 in Class 6A Region 3 play.  Benjamin Russell slips to 3-4, 2-2. 

Helena was quick to capitalize after Benjamin Russell’s initial drive ended in a three-and-out. A fumbled punt was recovered by Helena’s Austin Acosta on the Wildcats’ 1-yard line. Just one play later, Jeremy Spratling bolted into the endzone, giving the Huskies an early lead.

While Benjamin Russell showed promise with Alijah Johnson spreading the ball around to receivers Cederian Morgan, JaMichael Greer, and TJ Wilson, their drive stalled in the red zone. A failed field goal attempt left them scoreless.

Helena, on the other hand, took full advantage of their momentum. Quarterback Nate Ferguson,   capped the Huskies next offensive possession with a 30-yard touchdown run, extending the Helena advantage to 14-0.

The Wildcats, forced to punt once more, were at the mercy of Helena’s special teams. Davis Kelley returned a punt for a 50 yard score, bringing the score to 21-0 as the first quarter came to a close. Another fumbled kick-off by Benjamin Russell set Helena up for another touchdown by Jacoby Studimire, making it 28-0.

The Huskies weren’t finished. Early in the second quarter, Nathan Jones intercepted a pass, setting up a 45-yard touchdown pass from Ferguson to Torrey Ward. Benjamin Russell struggled to overcome the 35-0 gap, only scoring after recovering a bobbled Helena punt with a quarterback keeper just before halftime, pulling the visitors within four scores at 35-7 at the break.

In the third quarter, Ferguson found Chris Brown in the end zone, stretching the lead to 42-7. Despite a determined drive by Benjamin Russell resulting in a touchdown by Johnson, cutting the deficit to 42-14, Helena continued to dominate. Another short punt by the Wildcats placed Helena in prime position for Spratling to score again, pushing the score to 49-14.

A Wildcats’ fumble on their own 40-yard line led to Khai Coleman returning it for a touchdown with just over a minute left, solidifying Helena’s victory at 55-14.

Ferguson finished the contest with 101 passing yards, two touchdown passes, and another 57 yards rushing with a score. He efficiently spread the ball among five different receivers.

Spratling lead the Husky rushing attack with 66 yard on 15 attempts and a touchdown.

Johnson accounted for both of Benjamin Russell’s touchdowns with runs from 18 and 20 yards out.

Looking ahead, the Huskies will welcome the Pelham Panthers (1-5, 1-3) to Helena next Friday night. Benjamin Russell takes the week off before returning to north Shelby County to take on Pelham October 18th at Ned Bearden Stadium.