By Will Heath, For the Tribune
LEEDS — In a 3-quarter preseason scrimmage Thursday at Homer Smiles Field, the Leeds Green Wave defense surrendered two big plays to visiting Helena. When the horn sounded at the end of the third, and both teams’ junior varsity squads rolled out to finish the game, the scoreboard showed Helena with a 17-7 advantage.
Still, coaches and players on both sides were already preparing to put the night’s events in the past after shaking hands. “Ready for Week 1,” Leeds’ Jeremiah Hall said afterward.
Helena head coach Richie Busby echoed that sentiment. “To be able to get some good plays on film against a good team, and be able to go back tomorrow, and make corrections in the morning,” Busby said. “That’s the biggest thing.”
Busby’s Huskies — 7-4 in 2022, and 3-3 in 6A Region 3 — controlled the tempo for most of Thursday night’s game in Leeds. They outgained the Green Wave 325-169 in total yardage, and held the Green Wave without a pass completion until the 3rd quarter.
Both teams were guilty of a number of drive killing mistakes, however — the two teams combined for 2 fumbles, 2 interceptions, a blocked punt and a blocked field goal and, in Busby’s words, “about 9 self inflicted penalties” in the game.
“All those things we just get out of us (in preseason),” said Leeds head coach Jerry Hood. “I think that’s the real benefit.”
Junior quarterback Conner Nelson, assuming the full-time duties behind center in 2023, led the Green Wave offense with 122 yards rushing and throwing. His 29-yard touchdown run, coming one play after defender Chris Burge forced a Helena fumble, was Leeds’ (11-1, 6-0 in 5A Region 4) only score of the night.
All part of the “learning process,” as Hall described it. “I feel good about that,” he said.
The Huskies got 122 passing yards from quarterback Carson Acker. That number included a 29-yard pass to Hunter Hale for the game’s first touchdown. A 90-yard run from tailback Jordan Washington — one play after Helena intercepted Leeds in the end zone to snuff a potential go-ahead drive — was all the Huskies would need.
There was mutual respect on the part of both coaches following the action. “We enjoy playing Leeds,” Busby said. “They’re so well coached. That defensive front is probably one of the best we’ll see all year. So we knew coming over here, that’s going to be something good for us.”
Hood called his preseason opponent “sportsmen” and lauded Busby and his staff. “It’s (preseason) just so valuable,” he said. “I like where we’re at at this point.”
Both teams begin regular season play next week with home games against non-region opponents. Helena will host Chelsea on Thursday, while Leeds faces Mortimer Jordan on Friday.