The opportunity was too good to pass up.
The Helias Crusaders will open the 2014 football season Sunday, Aug. 24, with a game against the Nixa Eagles to be televised by ESPNU from Adkins Stadium.
"We're looking forward to the opportunity to showcase our football program, our school and the entire Jefferson City community," Helias head coach Phil Pitts said.
The process of getting a nationally televised game started about four months ago, Pitts said. ESPN contacted Pitts about the opportunity to broadcast Helias' game against Rock Bridge, which would feature two of the nation's top senior recruits in Hale Hentges of the Crusaders and Alex Ofodile of the Bruins. Hentges has orally committed to Alabama, while Ofodile has announced his intentions to go to Oregon.
But that fell through and about six weeks ago, ESPN suggested broadcasting the game against Nixa, a Class 5 school which finished 9-2 last season.
"I approached Nixa and they were all for it," Pitts said.
The Eagles feature senior running back Alec Murphy, who ran for 1,792 yards and scored 22 touchdowns last season.
Murphy has several scholarship offers from Division I schools, including Mississippi State, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State and Kansas State.
"ESPN likes games that have big recruits," Pitts said. "Plus, they saw the success that each program has had in the past few years and decided it would be a good game for them."
But both teams had to clear the hurdle of playing on a Sunday.
"Our administration was all for it and the Nixa school board approved it last week, so we got the contracts signed," Pitts said.
Helias is no stranger to playing in televised games, having appeared in the Class 4 state championship game in four of the last six seasons.
"This is something that is good for our team and something I believe our team can handle better than most," Pitts said.
Appearing on ESPNU has definitely gotten the attention of the Crusader players.
"The kids are really, really excited," Pitts said. "It's a chance to play on what everybody believes is the greatest sports network there is."
The game, which was scheduled to be played Friday, Aug. 22, is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. start. With the possibility of late August heat, the start time could be pushed back to later in the day.
"The heat is always a concern, but with this bigness of this opportunity, we're willing to take a chance of playing it in the afternoon," Pitts said.
Helias has planned a community Mass for noon that day and Central Bank will host its annual tailgate that day as well.
"Plus the school will be hosting a lot of other things," Pitts said.
Both schools will receive a stipend for agreeing to appear in the game.
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FANS WON'T HAVE to travel very far for their first opportunity to see the Crusaders this season.
After playing in Jamborees in O'Fallon and St. Clair in recent seasons, Helias will head down Route B to Wardsville to play in a Jamboree at Blair Oaks on Friday, Aug. 15.
"We were spending a lot of money for travel just for 72 plays," Pitts said. "This is a great opportunity play against quality programs and not have to travel as far to do it."
Other schools participating in addition to Helias and Blair Oaks are California, Owensville and Moberly. The schedule of opponents has not yet been decided, Pitts said.
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IN A CHANGE to the duties on the coaching staff, Chris Hentges will take over as offensive coordinator this season. It will be the second stint as coordinator for Hentges, who also has been Helias' head coach.
"Chris has a wealth of knowledge and experience,' Pitts said. "He is so gifted at it and I trust Chris so much, I know he'll do a great job."
Pitts moves from offensive coordinator to heading the special teams.
"I'm looking forward to doing that again," he said. "This is a great move for the program, it also frees me up to help out the defensive staff if needed."