It's uncertain times for the Helias Crusaders and Rock Bridge Bruins.
When they arrive Saturday afternoon at Adkins Stadium, it will be time to make a decision about who will start behind center as both Alex Faddoul of Helias and Karson Ringdahl of Rock Bridge are coming off ankle injuries last week.
"You know kids are going to get hurt, but you just hate to see it happen to anyone," Helias coach Tim Rulo said. "But you just have to get the next guy ready."
Faddoul aggravated his previous ankle injury and has been limited in practice this week. Ringdahl, who is 80-for-145 passing for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns this season for Rock Bridge (2-4), was injured in the fourth quarter of last week's game against Jefferson City and did not return.
For the Crusaders, it could be Curtis Campbell or Chandler Luebbert starting at quarterback. Both took reps with the first team in practice this week.
"They both bring a lot to the table," Rulo said. "Curtis is very steady, he's a student of the game. Chandler is very athletic. We don't know which one will start if we need to do that."
The Crusaders are coming off a 28-24 loss last Saturday to St. James Academy of Lenexa, Kan., to fall to 1-5 on the season. Rulo said he hasn't seen the frustration level grow in his team.
"We feel like we've had some of the best practices in weeks," he said. "These kids have been resilient, they could have folded weeks ago and they haven't. They are upbeat, the guys believe that we can be successful."
It was another game where the little things ended up costing the Crusaders a potential victory.
"We were in it, we were tied at halftime," Rulo said. "The second half, we felt great, but we just didn't take care of the football and we couldn't get the key stop."
For the first time this season, the Crusaders had problems holding on to the football, committing five turnovers.
"We felt we should have had that one, but you can't turn the ball over five times and expect to win," Rulo said. "It doesn't matter what offense you run or what you do on defense, you won't win."
The offensive line continued to show improvement after struggling early in the season as Helias put together several long drives against St. James Academy.
"That's the stuff that will make you successful each week," Rulo said. "The offense is moving in the right direction."
Defensively, the Crusaders allowed just one play of more than 25 yards last Saturday. But Helias figures to be put to the test Saturday by Rock Bridge running back Nick Collins.
The 5-foot-7, 185-pound senior has 92 carries for 680 yards and six touchdowns this season. He also has caught 17 passes for 300 yards and three scores.
"He's lighting in a bottle, he is so fun to watch," Rulo said. "He can do a lot of things all over the field."
The Bruins have big offensive and defensive lines, led by Arkansas commit Hayden Johnson (6-3, 255).
Rulo is impressed by the Bruins secondary.
"That may be the strength of their defense as a unit," he said. "They communicate well back there and play as a group."
Rulo is looking for the Crusaders to display what they've accomplished in practice into games.
"It's up to the players and the coaches to pull things together and get some wins," Rulo said. "We have to play Crusader football every play."
Game time is 4 p.m.
III
This is Helias' final home game of the regular season. ... The start time was moved to the afternoon due to the need to clear the parking lots for Jefferson City's Homecoming dance. ... Helias and Rock Bridge have one common opponent in Hickman. The Crusaders defeated the Kewpies 39-6, while the Bruins posted a 22-0 win the next week against their crosstown rival. ... Rock Bridge's wins have come against 0-6 teams in Hickman and DeSmet. ... Rock Bridge senior defensive end Tre Williams, a Missouri recruit, will likely miss Saturday's game with a separated shoulder. ... Helias is back in action Friday, Oct. 2 at Rockhurst. Game time is 7:30 p.m. It will be the first time Helias has played a varsity game at Rockhurst.
_
Helias hosts Rock Bridge at 4 p.m. Saturday - Updates on Twitter: @tjrackers and @rbhsbruinbear. Listen live online (starts following Missouri post-game show): kwos.com
News Tribune football podcast: