By Mark Alexander, sports@timesfreepress.com

Andy Helms has kicked longer field goals in his career at Notre Dame.

But there’s no doubt his last one ranks as the biggest.

Helms booted a 35-yard field goal on the game’s final play Friday night, catapulting the Fighting Irish to an 18-15 Region 3-3A victory over Grundy County at rain-soaked Jim Eberle Field.

“I knew it when I hit it,” said Helms, speaking over his teammates as they shouted “Andy! Andy! Andy!” just outside Notre Dame’s locker room minutes after the game. “I got a hold of it.”

As confident as Helms was once the ball left his foot, he was just as nervous, if not more so, in the moments leading up to the game-winner.

“I was terrified,” Helms said. “I was scared out of my mind.”

Helms’ kick not only helped Notre Dame improve to 4-5 overall and 4-3 in 3-3A, but it kept alive his team’s playoff hopes as they eye next Friday’s trip to Polk County.

Grundy County, whose only win came in its season opener against Whitwell, dropped to 1-8, 0-7.

Both teams struggled in the soggy conditions, combining for five lost fumbles and 10 overall.

Notre Dame also recovered two onside kicks and blocked a punt that led to a touchdown that was eventually waved off because of an inadvertent whistle. Grundy County returned a fumble 8 yards for its first touchdown and lost on the final play after knotting the score at 15 with 1:32 remaining.

“It was one of those wild, crazy, mud games that came right down to the end,” Notre Dame coach Charlie Wiggins said. “Fortunately, we had the ball at the end. And it always helps to have a good kicker. That came in handy tonight.”

Helms’ 30-yard field goal gave Notre Dame a 15-7 lead with 4:42 left. Grundy County, keyed by a 49-yard pass, tied it minutes later on a touchdown run by quarterback Destin Nunley, who also added the two-point conversion run.

Notre Dame then marched from their own 27-yard line to the Grundy County 18-yard line on six plays, setting the stage for Helms. The Fighting Irish benefited from two key penalties against Grundy County, including an illegal blow to the head call that moved the ball to the Yellow Jackets’ 35-yard line.

“We had some things go our way, but we also did a good job of executing under pressure in some pretty tough conditions,” Wiggins said.

The snap on Helms’ winning kick was low, but Jeremey Deocampo scooped the ball off the wet turf and swiftly placed it on the tee just in time.

“He did a great job of handling the snap,” Helms said. “I would’ve never been able to kick it had it not been for him.”