By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The Helena Huskies and Pelham Panthers will soon be familiar foes in sports across the board once Helena moves up to Class 6A to join Pelham in Area 5 competition.

Naturally, the two teams will be considered rivals due to the close proximity of the schools and Helena boys head soccer coach Zach Morgan and Pelham boys head soccer coach Patrick McDonald wanted to create a unique name for the rivalry.

“Last year, we were trying to come up with a rivalry game name because we knew we’d be playing each other,” said Morgan. “When trying to come up with a name, dogs vs. cats popped up in my head. I spoke with Patrick and he agreed that that was something we could do.”

After coming up with the dogs vs. cats theme, the two teams agreed to call the game “Battle of the Paws” and the first edition of the rivalry game will be Tuesday, April 5 at Helena High School.

The positive side of the rivalry is that the two teams will also be supporting two local charities each time the two teams meet.

“We decided to turn the game into a service project,” said Morgan. “We started talking and Patrick knew someone with the Shelby County Humane Society and we will have donation tables set up at the game. Everything happened much quicker than we anticipated.”

The donation tables will benefit the Shelby County Humane Society as well as Two by Two Animal Rescue that will accept both cash and supplies for the charities.

In addition to coming up with a rivalry name and having donation tables, the two teams are working on presenting a traveling trophy or cup to present to the winning side.

“The hope is to pass something back and forth and have fun with it,” said Morgan referring to the trophy.