The run game was going to be the key.
The Helias Crusaders entered Friday night’s game against Capital City wanting to slow down the prolific ground attack of the Cavaliers.
“Stop the dive,” Helias coach Chris Hentges said.
They did. The Crusaders held the Cavaliers to a season-low 147 rushing yards in a 24-22 victory at Adkins Stadium.
“The big guys up front deserve a lot of credit for sticking with it and tackling that fullback,” Hentges said. “That’s what we preached all week, tackle the fullback.
“You look at the film, every game they played, they popped those for big runs and I think we did a good job of shutting that down.”
The Cavaliers had run for more than 300 yards as a team in its last four games and were averaging 6.6 yards per carry. But the Helias defense, using a five-front for the first time this year, limited Capital City to an average of 4.8 per attempt.
“We had no set goals, just stop the dive,” Hentges said
On the other side, Helias posted its best rushing performance of the season. The Crusaders -- with Brady Rush and Mason French both eclipsing the 100-yard mark -- totaled 314 yards on the ground.
“We established the run,” Hentges said.
Rush, a senior who sat out the second half with an injury, and the junior French both finished with 108 yards. Alex Marberry, a sophomore, also provided the Crusaders with some key carries in Helias’ first game without injured leading rusher Korbin Fisher.
“To step up in Korbin’s absence and run hard and have good ball-security, the running backs all played well for us,” Hentges said.
After an exchange of punts to start the game, Helias began its second possession on its own 13.
Helias took the lead by going the 87 yards on 16 plays. Fourteen of the plays were runs, with the touchdown coming on an 8-yard pass from Drew Miller to Henry Neuenswander. Nic Calvaruso booted the first of his three extra-points and Helias led 7-0 with 3:11 left in the first quarter.
The Cavaliers went three-and-out on their next possession and the Crusaders took over at their own 30. Twelve plays later -- nine of which were runs -- Helias was back in the end zone on a 1-yard run by Marberry that made it 14-0 with 7:37 left before halftime.
The Crusaders took advantage of a Cavalier turnover to score on its next drive. Maddox Alfultis of Helias pulled down an interception to give the ball back to the Crusaders at their own 13.
Helias drove deep into Capital City territory, getting inside the 5, before settling for a 22-yard field goal by Calvaruso that made it 17-0 with 1:59 left in the first half.
“Credit to their defense for stopping us there,” Hentges said. “If we go up 21-0 there, it might have been a different game.”
Instead, the Cavaliers grabbed some momentum going into halftime. Capital City went 76 yards in just five plays to score, with the touchdown coming on a perfectly thrown 46-yard pass from Hayden Carroll to Cam Harrison with :14.8 on the clock.
“With a talented receiver like Cam is, if he gets open in space, he’s dangerous,” Hentges said.
Joe Schaefer booted the PAT and Helias took a 17-7 advantage into halftime.
“That gave them some life,” Hentges said.
The Helias defense forced Capital City to turn the ball over on downs on the first possession of the second half. Starting at their own 30, the Crusaders went 70 yards in seven plays to get back into the end zone.
Miller ran 9 yards for the touchdown and Helias led 24-7 midway through the third quarter.
It was a strong game for Miller. The senior quarterback ran for 84 yards on 12 carries, while finishing 9-of-16 through the air for 87 yards.
The Cavaliers cut the Crusaders’ lead to 24-14 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter when Carroll and Harrison connected for a 5-yard touchdown.
After completing just eight passes in Capital City’s first five games, Carroll was 9-of-13 for 125 yards Friday night.
The final score of the game came with no time left on the clock. Helias lined up to attempt a field goal with :01.7 left to increase its lead to 13 points. That 13-point margin is part of deciding points for the district standings.
“We weren’t trying to rub it in,” Hentges said.
Capital City blocked the kick and Dante McRoberts returned the loose ball 85 yards for a touchdown. Jaylan Thomas ran for a 2-point conversion to make the final 24-22.
Capital City is now 4-2 overall, 3-2 in the Central Missouri Activities Conference.
Helias (4-2, 3-1) will return to Adkins Stadium this Friday to take on Jefferson City (3-3, 2-2). With a win, the Crusaders would wrap up their third straight city championship.