KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - After looking at the results for the first seven weeks of the season, the Helias Crusaders figured to win Friday night's game against the Kirksville Tigers.
How they were going to win it was the big question.
"I wanted to see us execute, it doesn't matter who we would have played," Helias coach Tim Rulo said after the Crusaders defeated the Tigers 52-13. "We wanted to be consistent on offense in both halves. Inside and outside, running and passing, I think we did a good job."
It was one of the most complete performances of the season for the Crusaders.
On offense, the Crusaders had a total of 421 yards. The 52 points are the most scored against the Tigers this season. Kirksville had allowed an average of 16.2 points in the past five weeks.
"They've done a good job defensively against quality teams this season," Rulo said.
Daniel Rhea had his best game this season at quarterback for the Crusaders. The junior ran for a season-high 198 yards and threw a pair of touchdown passes.
"He's a dynamic kid, we want him to get his share of the touches," Rulo said. "He looked great."
Rhea often had gaping holes to run through at the line of scrimmage, thanks to a dominating performance up front by the Helias offensive line.
"The offensive line did a great job of opening some holes and Daniel did a good job of getting some big yards," Rulo said.
The Tigers were trying a little bit of everything in an attempt to slow the Crusaders.
"There was good communication up front on the line because Kirksville was changing defenses between a 3-4, 3-3 and 4-3 all night," Rulo said. "We did well against all of them."
Rhea had a 3-yard run for Helias' first score in the waning seconds of the first quarter. He threw touchdown passes of 58 and 14 yards to Zach Woehr later in the game.
On Helias' third drive of the third quarter, Rhea ran for 60 and 16 yards on consecutive plays to get the Crusaders down to the Tigers' 2. He suffered an undisclosed injury on that final run and did not return to the game.
Michael Stroesser, in his first start at fullback for the Crusaders, capped that drive with a 1-yard plunge. He later scored on a 25-yard run and finished with a season-high 67 yards rushing.
"He's a guy that's been developing," Rulo said. "He brings a lot of physicality to the position."
Helias' other touchdown on offense came on a 3-yard run by Blake Veltrop early in the second quarter.
On defense, the Crusaders kept the Tigers in check for much of the night.
Helias cornerback Adam Wilbers had two interceptions Friday night as Kirksville managed just 53 total yards in the opening two quarters.
"I think our defense played well," Rulo said.
Kirksville's first-half touchdown - a 14-yard pass from Paxton Dempsay to Nolan Dempsay - came on the first play after Helias lost a fumble.
Blake Lewis had Kirksville's other score, zigging and zagging 80 yards for a touchdown against the Crusader second-team defense late in the third quarter.
Those two plays accounted for nearly one-third of Kirksville's offense in the game.
"Offensively, I think they're still trying to find themselves, find something that works and they can be successful with," Rulo said.
The special teams got into the scoring act as well for Helias.
Late in the first half, Garrett Mingucci scooped up a blocked Kirksville punt and returned it 5 yards for a touchdown.
In the third quarter, Matthew Witt tackled the Kirksville punter in the end zone for a safety.
Last season, a victory against Kirksville was the start of a four-game winning streak for Helias. The Crusaders are looking to do that, or better, again this season.
"I believe in this team and I think we can do a lot of great things this season," Rulo said.
Helias (4-4) will play Friday against DeSmet (0-8) in St. Louis. Game time is 7 p.m.
Helias remains fourth in the Class 4 District 7 standings with 34.84 points. If the postseason started today, the Crusaders would host Wentzville: Liberty in the first round of districts.
Kirksville is now 2-6.