By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Helena High School varsity head football coach Watt Parker will not return for the 2018 season, according to administrators with the school.

“Helena High School has made a change in leadership of its football program,” Helena High School Principal April Brand said on Nov. 20. “We will begin the process immediately of selecting a new head football coach. We thank coach Parker for his service.”

Parker took over as head coach at the beginning of the 2014 season when Helena High School opened as a brand-new school in the 5A classification.

In four seasons, Parker compiled an overall record of 18-25 and 13-13 in region play. The Huskies had two playoff appearances in four seasons.

Parker saw success on the field early in his tenure reaching the 5A state playoffs in 2014 and 2015, which included a second-round finish in the playoffs in 2015.

Parker and the Huskies had a more difficult time making the transition from 5A to 6A beginning with the 2016 season.

In the last two seasons, Parker compiled a record of 4-16 overall and a 3-9 record in Class 6A Region 3 play. This included an 0-2 record against rival Pelham the last two seasons.

The Huskies will look to improve on both sides of the ball going forward. Helena averaged 12.4 points per game offensively while allowing 29.4 points per game in 2017.