The team that controls the line of scrimmage will win the football game.
Just because it's a football cliche doesn't mean it's not true. That could be the deciding factor tonight when the Helias Crusaders (11-1, ranked No. 2) travel to take on the Kearney Bulldogs (11-1, ranked No. 4) in a Class 4 quarterfinal contest.
"The team that establishes itself on the line of scrimmage first is going to go a long way in determining this game," Helias coach Phil Pitts said. "I think both of our teams take a lot of pride on the line play and believe it is a strength.
"It's going to be a fight between two very physical football teams."
Kearney, the District 8 champion, comes into the 7 p.m. contest riding a six-game winning streak.
On offense, the Bulldogs are averaging nearly 37 points per game this season. Kearney has rushed for 2,643 yards and thrown for 1,536 yards.
Kearney running back Reagan Frakes (5-11, 180, sr.) has run 278 times for 1,574 yards (5.7 avg.) and 25 touchdowns. He has eight 100-yard rushing games.
"He carries a lot of the weight for their offense on his shoulders," Pitts said. "He's shifty and physical, he doesn't let the first guy bring him down very often."
Kearney has played a pair of quarterbacks this season in Johnny Weidmaier and Logan Hinck. Weidmaier (6-2, 195, sr.) is 79-of-142 through the air for 1,326 yards and 13 touchdowns to go along with four INTs. Hinck (5-11, 165, jr.) is 8-of-14 passing for 114 yards. Both have rushed for five touchdowns.
"We expect to see both of them at some point and then they will probably go with the hot hand," Pitts said.
No matter who is at quarterback, their top target is Coalten Klenda (6-3, 190, sr.), who has 42 receptions for 714 yards (17.0 avg.) and eight TDs.
"They try to make big plays in the pass game and we have to be ready for that," Pitts said.
Pitts said the Bulldogs' offensive line isn't especially big, but is very athletic.
"They work very well together as a group and they do a great job of moving when they have to move," he said.
Kearney's offense makes very few mistakes, Pitts said.
"They do not beat themselves, they just go out there and do what they need to do," he said. "They rely on the defense to get them some short fields and they know what to do when that happens."
The Helias defense, which has two straight shutouts, has been especially strong against the run. The Crusaders are allowing an average of 2.0 yards per carry to their opponents.
"They've done a great job of getting the ball back to our offense with short fields for most of the season and that helps to make the offense shine," Pitts said.
The four players up front for the Crusaders - Blake Wilbers, Hale Hentges, Brody Buschjost and Dane Clutter - have set the tone for the defensive effort.
"They all do a good job of controlling the line of scrimmage, getting into the opposition backfield and making plays," Pitts said.
Kearney's defense has two shutouts and is giving up just 8.5 points per contest. Only four teams have reached double-digits in points against the Bulldogs, who gave up just 15 total points in their three district wins.
Cale Garrett (6-3, 220, jr.) has 126 total tackles from his linebacker spot, including 88 solo stops. He also leads the team with 15 tackles for loss. Matthew Rule (5-8, 178, jr.) has 68 stops at linebacker, with 12 tackles for loss. He leads the team with four interceptions.
Jacob Babb (6-3, 240, sr.) has a team-high six sacks as a lineman. He also has 57 tackles, eight for loss.
As a team, Kearney has 72 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.
"There's not a big weakness in any player on their defense," Pitts said. "It's going to come down to us executing and realizing that they are going to make plays sometimes. We just need to keep coming."
Helias has 2,604 yards rushing and has thrown for an additional 2,248. The Crusaders hope that balance can continue.
"We can do both things and hopefully that will help things come out in our favor," Pitts said.
Game-time temperature figures to be in the mid-20s tonight.
"I think each team can think it's going to be in its favor, but it's going to be cold for both teams," Pitts said. "We're going to do what we need to do, they're going to do what they need to do.
"Ultimately, the best team will win the football game."
Notes: Helias senior receiver Chase Bexten will be back in the starting lineup after missing last week with a concussion. Pitts said aside from the normal bumps and bruises, the Crusaders are healthy for the game. ... Kearney is 8-0 at home this season. Helias, which has played five straight home games, is 4-0 on the road, outscoring its opponents 140-28 in those contests. ... Kearney's loss came in Week 6 to Class 5 Winnetonka, 17-14. The Bulldogs played eight Class 5 teams in the regular season, defeating Platte County 52-6 in its lone Class 4 game prior to the start of districts. ... Helias and Kearney last met in the 2009 Class 4 state championship game. The Bulldogs defeated the Crusaders, 27-15. Kearney has been in Class 5 the past four seasons, advancing to the semifinals last season. ... The Helias-Kearney winner will face either Webb City or Harrisonville in the semifinals. With a win, Helias would host that game.
Helias at Kearney - Updates on Twitter: @tjrackers. Listen live online: kwos.com