By CHRIS MEGGINSON / For the Reporter

SOUTHSIDE – Winless no more. Helena utilized a break from Class 6A, Region 5 play to collect its first win of the season, 13-7, at Southside Gadsden High School on Sept. 28.

“We’re excited for the kids, our community and everyone involved. Our crowd was good tonight, behind us and wild. You can see the excitement on everyone’s face,” said first-year Helena Head Coach Richie Busby.

Helena collected more than 200 yards offense in the first half, including reaching the red zone three times early in the game, but coming away with no points. After quarterback Luke Stamba fumbled the ball stretching for the goal line, the Huskies turned the ball over two more times on downs to keep the game scoreless at halftime.

“When you do that kind of stuff and you don’t know how to win yet, it made for a closer game than it should have been. The first three drives we were up and down the field on them. They started getting some confidence and it turned into a ballgame.”

The rust broke loose midway through the third quarter when Matt Mizerany blocked a punt to give the Huskies a short field.

“We thought we could block a punt all week. Coach (Jim) Elgin put it in yesterday. We got it where we thought we would, and that set us up for an easy score,” Busby said.

Stamba punched the ball in to put the Huskies on the board, 7-0, with 3:28 to play in the third quarter.

Southside answered by converting a fourth-and-1 to set up a 49-yard touchdown run by Kenneth “Cat” Bothwell to tie the game, 7-7.

Helena found its way back on top, 13-7, with 5:54 to play, converting a fourth-and-1 with a 46-yard QB power touchdown run by Stamba.

Michael Rich connected with Bothwell on a 42-yard pass to give the Southside Panthers (1-4) a chance late, but Helena held them on downs.

“Our defense played well all night. They hit us one time on a deep ball and one big run,” Busby said.

Marquis Johnson led Helena with a 100-plus yard performance.

Helena (1-4) will travel to Chelsea High School (0-5) on Oct. 5. Chelsea had an off week Sept. 28.