Patriots knock off Helena to win region opener
HELENA -- In a game highlighted by big plays, the Homewood High School football team went on the road Friday night and toppled region rival Helena 24-15.
Homewood (2-1, 1-0 in Class 6A, Region 3) scored two touchdowns in the first half and added two more scores in the fourth to seal the win against Helena (2-1, 0-1) and pick up a crucial region opener.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our team right now,” said Homewood head coach Ben Berguson, now in his ninth season with the Patriots. “This is a tough region from top to bottom, and this (win) keeps us ahead in the region.”
After a scoreless opening period, it was all action in the final three quarters of play.
The Homewood offense opened up the scoring midway through the second quarter with a 15-play, six minute drive. The Patriots kept it on the ground, rushing 11 times, the last of those carries a 4-yard touchdown run by senior running back Mondrell Odell.
The visitors got the ball right back after stifling the Helena offense and put together an efficient two-minute drill to close out the half. With a mix of run and pass plays, Homewood marched 87 yards down the field and capped the drive with a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Woods Ray to receiver Charlie Reeves, leaving just three seconds on the clock.
Homewood would take the 14-0 advantage into halftime.
Helena did not go away after Homewood’s breakout second quarter, however. Down two scores at home to a region foe, the Huskies came out swinging out of the break. Helena forced a quick Homewood three-and-out to start the third quarter and followed up with an eight-play, 63-yard drive that culminated in a 31-yard rushing touchdown by Jordan Washington. Washington ran it in again on the two-point conversion, cutting the Patriot lead to 14-8.
Just over two minutes later, the home side got the ball back again when Ray’s pass went off the hands of his receiver and into the arms of a waiting defender. Helena capitalized on the turnover, taking the lead on a 30-yard rushing touchdown by Washington with 2:19 to go in the third quarter.
Much like the second quarter, however, the final period of play belonged to the Patriots. Not daunted by the deficit or affected by the turnover, Homewood’s offense answered Helena’s go-ahead score on its next possession. In a methodical 11-drive, the Patriots took six minutes off the clock and then retook the lead on a 23-yard field goal by Whit Armistead.
“You know, I didn’t think they could really stop us offensively,” Berguson said. “We answered right back. (Ray) did what a good quarterback should do and led us down to score again.”
Ray would finish the game 15-of-24 for 235 yards passing.
Moments after the field goal, Helena coughed up the kickoff return and handed the ball right back to Homewood. The Patriots needed just three plays to travel 29 yards for their third and final touchdown of the game, a 19-yard dash from running back Calyb Colbert with 6:39 left to play.
The Huskies attempted to get back into the game on the next possession, traveling into Homewood territory, but the Patriot defense held strong, forcing a turnover-on-downs with an incomplete pass on fourth and 10.
Homewood kept it on the ground and milked the remaining five minutes off the clock to secure the 24-15 victory.
“What a great win for our community, especially after last week,” Berguson said. “The question was how were we going to respond (after the Vestavia Hills loss) and we came out and played one of the best games I’ve ever been associated with.”
Homewood returns home next Friday night against Calera.
Click here to view and purchase photos from the game.
Cavs earn first win
John Carroll notched its first victory of the season Friday night, defeating Fairfield 26-21 in the Class 5A, Region 5 opener. Next Friday, the Cavs host Hayden in another region contest.