It's game night for the Helias Crusaders. And it figures to be a heck of a game.
"We know that we have a great challenge ahead of us in this game," Helias coach Phil Pitts said as the Crusaders prepare to host the Nixa Eagles at 8 p.m. at Adkins Stadium. "Nixa is a very talented football team."
Both are ranked in the top five of their respective classes in the statewide media poll released earlier this week. Helias came in at No. 2 in Class 4, while Nixa was No. 4 in Class 5.
The Crusaders have just four starters back on offense and four on defense from last year's squad that finished 12-3 and second in Class 4. But Pitts isn't concerned about that inexperience.
Pitts said the 2014 Crusaders remind him a little bit of the 1998 squad on which he was a junior that won the Class 4A state championship.
"Everybody was wondering how good we would be because we lost such a great senior class," he said. "And they were a great group of players, there's no mistake about that. But now, just like then, there's a great group of players waiting to get their opportunity to shine.
"And I'm looking forward to watching them get that chance. We've put in a lot of work this summer and we're looking forward to showing everybody what we've accomplished so far."
The Crusaders will feature a new starting quarterback in junior Alex Faddoul.
"When you have a talented guy at quarterback, it makes things work that much better," Pitts said. "Alex brings a lot to the table, he can do a lot on the football field with his abilities."
Faddoul will have a veteran offensive line in front of him, with four full- or part-time starters returning, including senior co-captains Blake Wilbers and Brody Buschjost.
Faddoul's top target should be senior tight end Hale Hentges. Ranked among the top five senior tight ends and 100 overall seniors in the country, Hentges has committed to play at Alabama.
Hentges, Wilbers and Buschjost make up a veteran defensive line for the Crusaders.
"This is as good a defensive line as we've ever had," Pitts said. "We're going to be leaning on them to lead us defensively."
Nixa will be without outstanding running back Alec Murphy. The Mississippi State recruit, who rushed for 22 touchdowns and nearly 1,800 yards as junior, is suspended for the game due to an off-field incident during the summer.
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On the injury front, Helias junior Cole Johnson is out for the season after injuring his knee in last Friday's Jamboree.
"Cole feels horrible about this and we feel horrible for him," Pitts said. "But we know Cole will put in the hard work and will come back stronger than ever for his senior season."
Johnson, projected to be a starter on the offensive line, is scheduled to have surgery in a couple of weeks.
"Cole is going to be a part of the program this year, not as a player, but doing everything else he can do to help us," Pitts said.
Follow News Tribune sports writer Tom Rackers on Twitter for updates during games this season. Listen live online to Helias vs. Nixa play-by-play at kwos.com.