When you look at the numbers, solving the equation seems easy. If you can stop Warrenton quarterback Brenden Smith, you will stop the Warriors.
About that.
"It sounds simple, but nine other teams have tried that and lost," Helias coach Tim Rulo said as the Crusaders (5-5) head to Warrenton to take on the Warriors (9-1) in a Class 4 District 7 semifinal game at 7 p.m. today.
The Warriors are averaging 44 points game and Smith is a big reason why. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior has thrown for 1,500 yards and run for 1,817 more. He has had a hand in 48 touchdowns this season.
"That's unreal, those are video game stats," Rulo said. "He does it so effortlessly. Watching him on film, he's not a big strapping guy tossing it all over the field, he's not super fast and just outrunning people.
"He just has a command of their offense and what they want to do."
Smith has completed 102-of-144 passes for 21 touchdowns and two interceptions, while averaging 8.4 yards on 217 carries."He's a guy that has mastered his craft at quarterback," Rulo said.
Helias and Warrenton met in this round last season, with the Crusaders taking a 63-28 victory at Adkins Stadium. Smith was 15-of-24 passing for 227 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 15 times for 69 yards and a score in a game in which he injured a knee.
"He is a lot smoother, he is patient when he reads his blocks and makes his cuts," Rulo said. "He looks comfortable knowing he doesn't have to make that one big play.
"There is more steadiness to him with another year of experience."
Logan Dowd (5-9, 160 soph.) provides a strong presence in the Warrenton running attack, totaling 607 yards (8.7 avg.) and seven touchdowns. Dylan Smith has 376 yards (5.0 avg.) and three TDs on the ground.
Caleb Straus (6-7, 235 sr.) is Brenden Smith's favorite target with 34 receptions for 458 yards and seven touchdowns. Brandon Molinari (6-1, 175 sr.) also has seven touchdown catches among his 21 catches for 344 yards, while Sam Smith (6-0, 165 soph.) has 21 receptions for 405 yards and four scores.
"I'm really excited to see what our defense can accomplish," Rulo said.
One thing Helias doesn't want is for tonight's game to turn into a scoring contest.
"I don't want to get into that kind of battle as a coach," Rulo said. "That's a dangerous game to play."
The Crusaders have been playing well on the offensive side in recent games, averaging nearly 45 points in the last four weeks. The 66 points in last Friday's win against Liberty: Wentzville was a season-high for Helias.
"We're communicating very well and that is allowing us to play at such a high level," Rulo said. "You always want to keep improving, but I think we're playing very well right now."
For the second straight week, Helias plans to use both Daniel Rhea and Connor McKenna at quarterback.
"It allows us to do a lot of different things," Rulo said.
One thing Rulo wants is for his offense to keep the football.
"The longer our drives are, the more their best athlete is on the bench," he said.
The Crusaders aren't sure what defensive formation to expect from the Warriors tonight. Rulo said Warrenton ran four different defenses early in the meeting last year.
"I don't want to make it too simple, but scores and stops are what football is all about," Rulo said. "If you can do that, you will usually be happy with the final result."
The Helias-Warrenton winner will face either Hannibal or Moberly next Friday in the district final. The third-seeded Pirates (6-4) and second-seeded Spartans (8-2) meet tonight in Moberly. Moberly defeated Hannibal 18-13 in a North Central Missouri Conference game earlier this season.
Related media:
Helias Crusaders Football Podcast [Warrenton preview, Oct. 27, 2017]