Studimire’s 3 TDs Lift Helena Past Pleasant Grove 33-27 in Overtime Thriller

HELENA, AL – Senior running back Jacoby Studimire carried Helena’s homecoming crowd to its feet Friday night, plunging in from 4 yards in overtime to hand the Class 5A Huskies a hard-fought 33-27 win over Class 3A Pleasant Grove.

The victory pushed Helena to 3-2, a welcome bounce-back after consecutive Region 4 losses to Mountain Brook and Homewood. Pleasant Grove, which led for much of the night, slipped to 4-2. Studimire finished with a workhorse line of 36 carries for 220 yards and three touchdowns, the last of which decided a game that neither team could put away in regulation.

Huskies Strike Early

Helena wasted no time getting Studimire involved. On the team’s second possession, he broke free for a 38-yard touchdown dash that staked the Huskies to a 12-0 lead. The fast start gave Helena’s homecoming crowd plenty to cheer about, but the margin would not hold for long.

Spartans Answer Before the Break

Pleasant Grove sophomore quarterback Elston Hooper, who already holds offers from Alabama, Sacramento State, UNA and Middle Tennessee, sparked the comeback. With 1:43 left in the opening quarter, Hooper connected with Colin Craver on a 27-yard touchdown pass to trim the deficit.

The Spartans grabbed the lead on the first play of the second quarter. Tyler Windham recovered a fumble at the Helena 36, and Jamari Walker punched it in from a yard out to make it 14-12.

The half nearly ended on a wild note. Pleasant Grove blocked a 32-yard Chris Lewis field-goal attempt, and Brandon Arnold scooped it and raced 70 yards for an apparent score. Officials, however, waved off the return, and the Spartans carried a 14-12 edge into the locker room.

Trading Blows in the Third

Hooper stretched the lead to 21-12 with 4:14 left in the third quarter on a 2-yard strike to Javion Sales. Helena answered right back. Quarterback Caleb Soreano sneaked in from a yard out, then found JP Schultz on a 2-point conversion pass to pull the Huskies within 21-20 with 4:14 still on the clock.

Late Drama and Overtime

Jamaal Grace extended Pleasant Grove’s cushion to 27-20 with 10:36 remaining, and the Spartans appeared poised to hold on. But Studimire had other plans. His 15-yard burst with 1:36 left in regulation tied the game at 27 and forced overtime.

In the extra period, Helena leaned on its bell cow one final time. Studimire bulled in from 4 yards out for the game-winner, capping a 220-yard night and sealing the 33-27 result.

Soreano finished a crisp 6-of-8 passing for 116 yards, with Schultz hauling in two catches for 67 yards as Helena rolled up 383 total yards. Hooper completed 13 of 25 attempts for 212 yards for the Spartans, hitting Sales five times for 93 yards. Walker added 56 yards on 12 carries.

Looking Ahead

Helena hits the road next week for a Shelby County rivalry showdown at Chelsea, hoping to build on the momentum of its overtime escape. Pleasant Grove also travels, heading to West Blockton to face the 1-4 Tigers as the Spartans look to shake off a tough loss and get back in the win column.