NIXA, Mo. - It was one of those games where the scoreboard really doesn't tell the whole story.
The Helias Crusaders dropped their season opener Friday night, falling 31-9 to the Nixa Eagles. But a tweak here and an adjustment there and the outcome could have been closer.
"Obviously, we're not happy with the final outcome," Helias coach Tim Rulo said. "But there were some good things in this game that we can build on."
The Eagles, who scored in every quarter, totaled 348 yards in the game. Helias wasn't far behind with 323.
Nixa got on the board with 3:29 to go in the first quarter on a 63-yard run by senior quarterback Logan Tyler. The PAT failed and it was 6-0.
Tyler, who will kick at Florida State next season, hit a 48-yard field goal that would have been good from 60 yards on Nixa's next possession and it was 9-0.
Logan Distler recovered a Nixa fumble midway through the second quarter to give Helias the ball at the Eagle 33. Eight plays later, T.J. Hagenhoff booted a 29-yard field goal to make it 9-3.
The Eagles got a key score on the final play of the half on a 1-yard plunge by Tyler. His PAT made it 16-3 at the half.
Nixa had an edge of 223-130 in yards in the first two quarters.
Nixa made it 24-3 with about four minutes left in the third quarter on a 14-yard pass from Tyler to Chase Allen. The Eagles ran for a 2-point conversion.
Weston Porter, playing in place of injured quarterback Alex Faddoul, scored on a 3-yard run in the final seconds of the quarter and it was 24-9.
Nixa's final touchdown came on a 49-yard run by Nicos Oropeza with four minutes remaining.
Oropeza finished with 140 yards on the ground, while Tyler totaled 123.
Jacob Storms had 66 yards on nine carries to lead Helias. Porter, who ran for 57 yards, finished 11-of-19 passing for 146 yards.
Helias turned the ball over three times to twice for Nixa. The Crusaders totaled 18 first downs to 11 for the Eagles.
Helias (0-1, ranked No. 6 in Class 4) will play Friday at Hannibal. Game time is 7 p.m. Nixa is scheduled to play Friday at Francis Howell.
Follow News Tribune sports reporter Tom Rackers on Twitter for updates during games.