Moody Edges Helena in Thrilling 31-28 Contest

MOODY, AL – In a hard-fought battle between two competitive programs, the Class 5A No. 2 Moody Blue Devils secured a narrow 31-28 victory over the 6A Helena Huskies Friday night at Bill Morris Stadium. The game remained tight from start to finish, with a second-half field goal ultimately giving Moody the decisive edge.

First Half: A Back-and-Forth Affair

The Moody vs. Helena football game kicked off with both offenses ready to trade blows. Helena struck first, putting points on the board with an 8-yard touchdown run by Dom Santiago. His score gave the Huskies an early lead.

Moody’s offense answered quickly. Quarterback Jake Lowery connected with Jalijah Rutledge for a 33-yard touchdown pass, evening the score and showcasing the Blue Devils’ passing attack.

The scoring exchange continued. Helena’s quarterback, Nate Ferguson, found the end zone on a 17-yard scoring pass, pushing the Huskies back in front, 14-7. However, Moody was not to be outdone. Running back Le’Kamren Meadows broke free for a 24-yard touchdown run, knotting the game at 14-14 just before halftime.

Second Half: Blue Devils Seize Control

Coming out of the break, Moody established a lead it would not relinquish. The Blue Devils’ special teams made a crucial play when Ryan McPherson successfully converted a 39-yard field goal. The kick gave Moody a 17-14 advantage, shifting the game’s momentum.

Later, the Blue Devils extended their lead. Jake Lowery found Jo Dozier for a 17-yard touchdown pass, making the score 24-14 and giving Moody some breathing room.

Helena’s defense generated a pivotal moment to keep the game within reach. Jonathan Roberto intercepted a pass and returned it 69 yards for a defensive touchdown. The play electrified the Huskies’ sideline and closed the gap to 24-21, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

Fourth Quarter Finish

With the game hanging in the balance, Moody’s offense delivered once more. Le’Kamren Meadows punched it in from 3 yards out for his second touchdown of the night. The score pushed the Blue Devils’ lead to 31-21 with just 5:06 remaining on the clock.

Despite the deficit, Helena fought until the very end. Nate Ferguson launched a deep pass, connecting with Davis Kelly for a 48-yard touchdown. This final score brought the final tally to 31-28, but Moody managed to hold on for the win.

Looking Ahead

With this victory, Moody improves to 4-1 overall and remains undefeated in region play at 2-0. The Blue Devils will face a tough non-region challenge next week when they host Class 7A powerhouse Auburn.

Helena moves to 1-3 on the season and 1-1 in region play. The Huskies will travel east to Lamar Field next Friday night to face the Oxford Yellow Jackets.