Benjamin Russell coach Smitty Grider had been waiting all season for his team to play well offensively and defensively in the game game.

His Wildcats delivered Friday with a 47-14 road victory over Helena.

“It’s the first time all year we played a complete game against a good team,” Grider said. “We played good on both sides of the ball, and the defense played outstanding the whole night.”

Helena finished with just 250 yards of total offense, and Benjamin Russell’s Corri Milliner intercepted two passes and returned one 42 yards for a second-half touchdown. Milliner also caught touchdown passes of 33 and 20 yards.

Did you know?: Benjamin Russell clinched the No. 2 spot in Class 6A, Region 3 – and the home playoff game in the first round that goes with it – with the win. Helena, meanwhile, is out of the playoffs after back-to-back region losses.

Coachspeak: “We didn’t play with any effort tonight. … We just didn’t play Helena football.” – Helena coach Richie Busby

“This is a good road win. We haven’t played well on the road, but we did tonight.” – Grider

Stat sheet: Helena’s Jordan Washington ran 14 times for 114 yards and 22-yard TD late in the fourth quarter. … Noah Alsobrook kicked field goals of 39 and 21 yards for Benjamin Russell. … Gabe Benton threw three TD passes for Benjamin Russell. .. Helena’s Dalton Lewellyn completed 11-of-29 passes for 106 yards. … Malcolm Simmons had a rushing TD and a receiving TD for the Wildcats.

By the numbers: Benjamin Russell ran for 220 yards on 29 carries. … Benjamin Russell has won two straight games and allowed 14 points in both.

He said it: “We had a good week of practice and it showed on the field tonight. We wanted to win tonight to help get us up in the playoffs, and that motivated us.” – Benton

What’s next?: The Wildcats (7-2 overall, 5-2 in region) play Valley at home in next week’s regular-season finale. Helena (6-3, 3-3) plays Vestavia Hills at home next week.