Helias struggles on offense, defense as losing streak continues

Helias quarterback Jacob Weaver runs the ball during Friday's game against St. Francis Borgia at the Crusaders Athletic Complex.
Helias quarterback Jacob Weaver runs the ball during Friday's game against St. Francis Borgia at the Crusaders Athletic Complex.

The Helias Crusaders dropped their third straight game Friday, falling 41-13 to the Borgia Knights at Ray Hentges Stadium.

"We're struggling right now," Helias coach Chris Hentges said. "But Borgia is a very good football team, they're well-coached, they have a very good quarterback and a good running game."

Borgia got on the board first late in the opening quarter, going 51 yards in 10 plays. The score came on a fourth-and-5 play when quarterback Sam Heggemann connected with Tyler Glosemeyer from 16 yards out. Jake Novak booted the PAT and the Knights led 7-0 with 1:34 to go in the first quarter.

The Knights doubled their advantage with 8:20 remaining in the second quarter when Heggemann hooked up with Tyler Stieffermann on a 78-yard catch and run. The PAT made it 14-0.

Both teams scored in the final minute of the second quarter.

The Knights made it 21-0 with :42.8 left on a 4-yard run by Louis Eckelkamp. The score capped a six-play, 72-yard drive.

Helias then drove to the Borgia 25 before Vito Calvaruso booted a 42-yard field goal as time expired to make it 21-3 at intermission.

The Crusaders got the ball to start the second half and Calvaruso kicked a 38-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 21-6.

Borgia answered with a six-play, 80-yard drive. Eckelkamp scored on a 2-yard run, but a 2-point pass attempt failed and it was 27-6.

Helias needed six plays to answer that touchdown with one of its own. Jake Weaver scored on a 15-yard run and Calvaruso's PAT made it 27-13.

The Knights fumbled the ball back to the Crusaders on their next play from scrimmage and Michael Stroesser recovered at the Borgia 16. But a holding call pushed the Crusaders back 10 yards, then Helias fumbled the ball back to the Knights on the ensuing play.

"We got behind the chains because of the holding call, we called a pass play and we just fumbled it," Hentges said.

Borgia then drove 66 yards in seven plays, with Eckelkamp scoring from 6 yards out and it was 34-13 early in the fourth quarter.

The Knights then iced the game with 2:43 remaining on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Eckelkamp.

The Knights finished with 382 total yards Friday night, while holding the Crusaders to 278.

Eckelkamp finished with 157 rushing yards on 22 carries. The Knights totaled 198 yard on the ground and 184 yards on seven pass completions.

Helias ran for 163 yards, led by Veltrop's 88 on 17 carries. The Crusaders were 10-of-22 passing for 115 yards and one interception.

Borgia, ranked No. 9 in Class 4, is now 5-0.

Helias (2-3) will host Father Tolton for Homecoming next Saturday night. Game time is 7 p.m.