Helias hits the road to face St. James Academy

Crusaders focused on doing things right

The Helias Crusaders will be putting an extra emphasis on doing things right tonight.

The St. James Academy Thunder have the potential to make them pay if they don't.

"They are extremely well-coached, disciplined, hard-working kids that will present challenges because they execute so well," Helias head coach Phil Pitts said as the Crusaders (5-0, ranked No. 2 in Class 4) prepare to take on the Thunder at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, Kan.

"They are not going to make mistakes and they are going to put themselves into good positions to win."

The Thunder have put themselves into the win column in all three of their games so far this season. They are averaging 28.3 points per game, while allowing just seven per contest.

"They do a lot of things right on both sides of the football," Pitts said.

The Thunder operate out of a spread formation much of the time on offense. It's a balanced attack, with 543 yards passing and 502 yards rushing so far this season.

"They don't miss blocking assignments, they know exactly what they're supposed to do on every play," Pitts said. "They do not do things that get themselves beat."

Trey Keith, a junior, is the Thunder quarterback. He is 25-of-45 passing for 424 yards and seven touchdowns this season. He has also rushed for 112 yards (6.6 avg.) and a score.

"He's a good thrower and runner, we're going have to make sure we account for him," Pitts said.

Keith's top target is tight end Mitchell Zubradt. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound junior has caught seven passes for 115 yards and a team-high two touchdowns.

"He's a guy we have to account for, when they need a play, he's a guy they look to make it," Pitts said.

Jake Bergmeier, a junior, tops the team in rushing with 195 yards (5.9 avg.).

"He runs very hard," Pitts said. "He has great balance and great vision and hits the hole hard when he gets there."

Defensively, the Thunder are coming off a shutout victory against DeSoto. St. James Academy uses either a 4-4 or a 4-2-5 formation on defense, something similar to what Helias saw in its opener against Nixa.

"Their defense is good, they run to the football and make tackles," Pitts said.

Nick Pate, a junior linebacker, leads the Thunder in tackles with 23 (14 solo). Collin Moore, another junior, is next with 21 stops this season.

Helias' spread formation is something St. James Academy hasn't seen this season, Pitts said.

"If we execute and play well, I like our chances, but if we don't, we are going to be challenged," he said.

Helias is coming off a 29-14 win against Battle last Saturday night at Adkins Stadium. With four turnovers, it wasn't Helias' sharpest effort of the season.

"We didn't execute the way we wanted to, but we fought and got the win," Pitts said. "And anytime you can do that against a quality opponent, it's a good night because you know you have a special team that can find a way to win.

"Good football teams can't beat themselves. We have to take care of it when we run it and we have to take care of it when we throw it."

Hale Hentges was a focal point of the Crusader offense in the game. The senior tight end, who has committed to Alabama, caught a season-high eight passes against the Spartans.

"We were happy to get him the ball that much because of his talent and ability," Pitts said.

It will be another long trip for the Crusaders.

"We're looking forward to it," Pitts said. "It's a chance for the team to be together and work on the chemistry. It helps build team unity."

Game time is 7 p.m.

Notes: Helias last opened the season 5-0 in 2009. That team won its first 14 games. ... A pair of Crusaders will be held out of the starting lineup tonight after being injured against Battle. Brody Buschjost and Todd Buschjost will both dress out and be available to play. Chris Bosch, a senior, will make his first start on the offensive line in place of Brody Buschjost. "I'm excited for Chris to get his opportunity to show us what he can do," Pitts said. Dane Clutter will take Brody Buschjost's spot in the lineup on the defensive line. Kale Gerstner will see more time at safety in place of Todd Buschjost. Weston Porter and Clayton Winter will get Todd Buschjost's snaps at receiver on offense.

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