By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The future of Helena athletics is looking bright as the Helena Middle School eighth grade football team is finishing up a solid season as they head into their final game of the year with an undefeated 7-0 record.

The Huskies are coached by Bobby Cummings, who has been at HMS since the school first opened.

Cummings spoke on the success this season, and really pointed to the maturity his team has shown from last year to this year.

“We’ve had a great year, we’ve outscored our opponents 190-20 and we’ve played well averaging 27 points per game and giving up less than three,” said Cummings. “Really the growth from last year as seventh to eighth graders is because we’ve had a lot of leadership and kids maturing and really just buying into working hard and trying to represent Helena in a first class way.”

Cummings praised the hardworking mentality of his team and talked about the tremendous support the team has received from administration, band, cheerleaders and more.

“This group right here practices extremely hard and they get along with each other really well,” said Cummings. “Our defense has played incredible this year and really everything has meshed together really well as far as on the field play.

The results for the Helena eighth grade team are as follows: Helena defeated Hueytown 34-0, defeated McAdory 19-0, defeated Oxford 41-6, defeated Chelsea 42-0, defeated Briarwood 8-6, defeated John Carroll 26-8, defeated Calera 21-0 and they will take on Riverchase in the last game of the season.

“Our main goal is to get these kids ready mentally and physically for high school athletics,” said Cummings. “Our goal is to also help build character and get them ready for what they’ll face socially, academically and athletically at the high school.”