By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The Helena High School Huskies football team are entering their third season as a football program in 2016, but the schedule will look far different than the ones they had the two previous seasons.

After the latest reclassification changes made in January, Helena has been moved up from Class 5A to now compete in Class 6A Region 3.

The Huskies will share the region with Chelsea, Pelham, Wetumpka, Benjamin Russell, Chilton County and Opelika.

The only two teams Helena will play again in 2016 that were on the schedule in 2015 are Chelsea and Pelham.

In their first meeting ever, Helena fell to the Pelham Panthers 31-22 last season. However, the game never counted toward either teams’ record because it was a jamboree game.

This season, the two teams will meet on Sept. 9 at Helena High School in the first official rivalry game in the series.

Helena fell to Chelsea last season on the road by a score of 40-20 and the Huskies will look to avenge the loss in 2016 on Oct. 21, as Helena will once again travel to Chelsea.

Two of the tougher opponents Helena will potentially face in 2016 will be Opelika and Benjamin Russell.

Opelika made it to the third round of the 6A playoffs last season while Benjamin Russell fell in the semi-finals. Helena will also play Homewood in 2016. The Patriots also made it to the 6A playoffs.

In addition to regional opponents, Helena will also take on 7A opponents Vestavia and Mountain Brook on the road.

Overall, the Huskies will face off against nine teams in 2016 that they’ve never played in program history.

The following is Helena’s 2016 football schedule:

-Aug. 26: Mountain Brook – Away

-Sept. 2: Chilton County – Away

-Sept. 9: Pelham – Home

-Sept. 16: Homewood – Home

-Sept. 23: Vestavia Hills – Away

-Sept. 30: Opelika (Homecoming) – Home

-Oct. 7: Wetumpka – Home

-Oct. 14: Benjamin Russell – Away

-Oct. 21: Chelsea – Away

-Oct. 28: Pell City (Senior Night) – Home