Another week, another state-ranked opponent for the Helias Crusaders.
"That's just the way it goes when you're not in a conference, you have to schedule tough," Helias coach Phil Pitts said as the Crusaders (2-1, ranked No. 6 in Class 4) prepare to face the MICDS Rams (3-0, No. 4 in Class 4) at 1 p.m. Saturday in St. Louis.
"But that's the way we want it to be. It makes us better in the long run."