Helias football looks to start another district title streak

Helias wide receiver Joe Randazzo tries to haul in the one-handed catch while being closely defended by defensive back Adam Wilbers during a morning practice session Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016.
Helias wide receiver Joe Randazzo tries to haul in the one-handed catch while being closely defended by defensive back Adam Wilbers during a morning practice session Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016.

For the first time in a long time, the Helias Crusaders weren't in the state football playoff bracket last fall.

It left a bad taste in the mouths of the returning players.

photo

Isabel Powers and Ed Powers

"We want to get the streak back, we want to start winning district titles again," senior linebacker Dylan Gaines said Saturday at Helias' annual media day. "We had won eight years in a row and we're ready to start it back."

Helias finished 4-7 last year, falling to Hannibal in the Class 4 District 7 semifinals.

"We want to get back to our winning tradition," senior linebacker Jake Burnett said. "We want to begin another streak of district titles, bring some pride back to Helias football."

In an attempt to advance back to the postseason, the Crusaders spent a lot of time working together during summer. That included time in the weight room, a team camp at Missouri Valley, team socials and community service projects

"It was all really, really good," Helias coach Tim Rulo said. "I feel like our coaches and our players put in a lot of time to try to be successful this season and I really believe it will pay off for us."

Conditioning was a key point stressed throughout the offseason.

"We're in a lot better shape than we were last year and that will help us be better this season," Gaines said.

Rulo is entering his second season as head coach of the Crusaders. Year Two is definitely a step ahead of Year One.

"We are so much more comfortable with what's going on," he said. "It's helped practices go well. And the seniors have led the way.

"It's been a great first week of practice."

The players see that as well.

"It was really good, we've come a long way from last season in every aspect of the game," Burnett said.

The Crusaders have a total of 87 players on the roster.

"We have a lot of people fighting for spots, there's a lot of competition and that's a good thing," Gaines said.

On Friday, the Crusaders will be part of a six-team Jamboree at Wardsville. Helias is paired with Owensville and Blair Oaks, with action slated to begin at 7 p.m. The other three participating teams are California, Moberly and Centralia.

Helias will open the season Friday, Aug. 19, at Hannibal. Game time is 7 p.m.

Follow @NTsports and @tjrackers on Twitter for updates during Helias games throughout the high school football season.