Editor's note: Helias opens its season hosting Nixa at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23. This is a change from the original date. See "Helias football opener will not be televised" for details on the change.
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The ultimate goal for any football team is to win a championship.
In 2013, the Helias Crusaders advanced to the Class 4 state title game for the fourth time in the past six seasons.
And for the fourth time, the Crusaders' season ended one victory short of that ultimate goal.
"It's frustrating," Helias coach Phil Pitts said. "We embrace the success we've had, we're thankful for the opportunities we've had. We're not going to complain that we've finished second all those times.
"But it's time to climb that hurdle. Our kids, our coaches, we are all frustrated. That's the next step this program has to take."
With just four starters returning on both sides of the ball and the graduation of 31 seniors, the Crusaders don't have a lot of experience as the season begins Sunday with a game against Nixa at Adkins Stadium.
"It was a great class that did a lot of wonderful things here," Pitts said. "A lot of knowledge is gone."
But Pitts said there is still elite talent on the Crusader roster.
"To win a state title, you have to have top-talent players," he said. "And I firmly believe this team has that. They may not have experience, but we have top talent that has the ability to play at the next level.
"Now it's a matter of getting that depth behind that group, the role players that are always important to a successful team."
Pitts said there is talent ready to step into the holes left by graduation.
"There are a lot of kids who would have started in other places that didn't get that chance last season," he said. "I'm excited for them to get their turns to fill those shoes. And once they gain that experience, they will really take off."
As always, the ultimate goal remains the same.
"I believe our program is respected around the state we're just missing that one thing in recent years," Pitts said. "And that's what we have to do next. That is the challenge for this group.
"We're not going to set our goal anywhere else."
III
IT WILL ALL start up front for the Crusaders on offense, where the Crusaders have four players who were full-time or partial starters last season.
"We have to make sure this group is strong because we are going to lean on them," Pitts said.
Blake Wilbers and Brody Buschjost, both senior co-captains, are the returning full-time starters.
Wilbers returns at center, while Buschjost will start at right guard.
"Blake is as good a lineman as we've had in a long time," Pitts said. "Brody is so athletic, he is capable of doing a lot of very good things for us up front."
Dane Clutter and Hunter Strope, also seniors, are the returning part-time starters. Clutter will start at left tackle. Strope, who was supposed to start at left guard, will move to right tackle to start the season after the injury to Cole Johnson at last week's Jamboree. Johnson may miss the first two games of the season.
Cole Rice, another senior, will move into the starting lineup at left guard.
"They are all very good athletes," Pitts said. "It's a very good group."
Among the top reserves are senior Nathan Raymer, junior Jake Wolken and sophomores Caleb Albertson and Sheldon Schulte.
"We could be two-deep on the line by the end of the season," Pitts said.
Depth is going to be important because Buschjost and Wilbers also start on the defensive line, while Clutter is a key reserve.
"We're going to need to keep everybody as fresh as possible, so we're going to need people to step up and be ready to play," Pitts said.
The Crusader offense will be led by junior quarterback Alex Faddoul.
Faddoul showed flashes of excellence in limited varsity action last season. He completed 61 percent of his passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns, while finishing third on the team with 324 rushing yards and six scores.
"Alex brings a lot to the table talent-wise, it's just going to take some time for him to get that varsity experience," Pitts said. "As he gains that experience, he's going to take over games."
That needed experience is not just on the field.
"He's physically ready, he has the confidence to be the starting quarterback," Pitts said. "He just needs the game snaps, the practice time, the film study, the scouting reports and walk throughs. When he gets that, I think everybody is going to see he's a special kid who can make plays."
While he has a strong throwing arm, Faddoul will also bring the dimension of a good runner to the position.
"Alex is shifty and fast," Pitts said. "It's something we're going to have to utilize. We're going to have to let him go."
The Crusaders enter the season unsettled at running back. Three players - juniors Clayton Winter and Malik Davis, along with sophomore Jacob Storms - are battling for the spot.
"I think each week it could change from what we're looking for each week, they all bring different things to the table," Pitts said.
Pitts said all figure to see playing time.
"I'm not asking any one of them to carry the load, just give me what they've got when we call on you maybe 7-8 times," Pitts said. "Malik has the ability to break tackles and take it a long way each time. Clayton is a steady running back, he can run between the tackles. Jacob has all of the tools, but he lacks the experience and the age."
And if they're successful as a group, it will take some of the pressure off Faddoul.
"Alex can't carry it 20 times a game, he will get his opportunities, but we can't have him carrying it all the time," Pitts said.
When the Crusaders go to the air, the No. 1 target will be tight end Hale Hentges.
The senior, a four-star recruit who has committed to play at Alabama next season, is ranked among the top seniors in the country. Hentges finished with 61 catches for more than 900 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior.
"Hale can do anything you ask him, slot receiver, hand-on-the-ground tight end," Pitts said. "We just have to make sure we get him the ball. He needs 10-15 targets where is at the point of attack. That might mean throwing it to him or he is main blocker for somebody else."
Hentges figures to be the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 focus for opposing defenses all season.
"He's going to be a marked guy," Pitts said. "His challenge is going to be recognizing that and taking his game to the next level, so other teams can't take him out of that game."
Pitts said the Crusaders won't force the offense to revolve around Hentges.
"You find what Hale does well and get him the ball in those situations," Pitts said.
And you don't need an elaborate scheme to do that.
"He can make guys miss, he is hard to tackle," Pitts said.
Adam Bax and Chase Bexten will start at receivers. Neither played last season, but at 6-5 and 6-2, Bax and Bexten are big targets for Faddoul.
Among the reserve receivers are Alex Warner, Kale Gerstner and Alex Stiles.
"They bring a little more speed," Pitts said. "It's a group that fits well together."
Weston Porter also should see a lot of time.
"He's going to be playing 85 percent of time, somewhere on the field," Pitts said. "He'll play all of the spots."
Chris Hentges will replace Pitts as offensive coordinator this season.
"I loved doing it," Pitts said. "But Chris has so much experience, he's called plays before. It's in his blood, he does such a great job of it and our team is going to be better because of it."
III
IT BEGINS UP front defensively as well for Helias, where Hale Hentges, Wilbers and Buschjost will get the starting nods in the 3-4 defense.
Wilbers was a first-team all-state selection as a junior, while Buschjost is the leading returning tackler and Hentges was second in quarterback sacks.
"Those three as a group are the best as a group that I think this school has had for as long as I've been associated with this program back to when I played in the late 1990s," Pitts said.
Clutter will join the trio when the Crusaders go to a four-man front. Among the reserves are Johnson, Wolken and Albertson.
"They can really cause problems for other teams," Pitts said.
The Crusaders will be replacing a talented group of senior linebackers.
Collin Lavery, a senior, will start at one of the middle linebacker spots after seeing some varsity time last season.
"He's a good vocal leader," Pitts said. "Colin is going to have to carry a lot of the load for us."
Winter and sophomore Jake Burnett will share time at other inside spot.
Starting at the outside positions will be Bax and sophomore Dylan Gaines.
"Adam would have played last year if he had come out," Pitts said. "Dylan has a motor and he can make big plays."
Mason Field, a junior, will also see time at linebacker.
Nolan Sachse and Werner will start at cornerback. Jesse Haslag, Ben Bruemmer and Stiles are the reserves.
"Those guys do everything you ask them to do," Pitts said.
Todd Buschjost, a senior, returns to start at one of the safety spots.
"He's the quarterback of our defense," Pitts said. "He's a veteran who we trust to make the plays."
Jordan Kemple and Gerstner will share time at the other safety spot.
"As you see those guys develop, get that experience, they will make a lot of plays," Pitts said.
With the inexperience, it could take some time for the Crusaders to develop on the defensive end.
"We have our No. 1s," Pitts said. "But we're going to be different after three or four games as we develop that depth and experience. We expect to win those first few games, don't get me wrong. But it's going to take some time."
Andy Pitts returns as defensive coordinator.
III
HELIAS HAS TRADITIONALLY been strong on special teams and this year figures to be no exception.
Faddoul will serve as the punter.
"He's got a strong leg" Pitts, who is now in charge of special teams, said. "He can do a lot back there."
Porter will be the long snapper on punts as well as serving as the holder for field goals and extra points.
Wolken will snap on extra points.
Sam Heckert, sophomore soccer player, will be the place-kicker.
"He needs to work on his consistency, but he's made 45- yard field goals in practice and he;s put the ball in the end zone on kickoffs," Pitts said.
If Heckert is with the soccer team, T.J. Hagenhoff will handle the kicks.
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