Helias dominates first half in victory against Vianney

Helias offensive lineman Jace West signals touchdown as Vianney defensive end Braxton Pritchett reacts to a referee signaling a score during the first half of Friday night’s game at Ray Hentges Stadium. (Kate Cassady/News Tribune)
Helias offensive lineman Jace West signals touchdown as Vianney defensive end Braxton Pritchett reacts to a referee signaling a score during the first half of Friday night’s game at Ray Hentges Stadium. (Kate Cassady/News Tribune)

On a night where the Helias honored some of its first teams in football program history, the current Crusaders put on a show.

Helias scored seven first-half touchdowns Friday night, then added a last-minute field goal before halftime for good measure, on its way to a 59-13 victory against the Vianney Golden Griffins at Ray Hentges Stadium.

“I thought we played well in all phases,” Helias coach Chris Hentges said. “The offense played very well, the defense played well and the special teams played well.”

Before the game, players from the 1958-60 Helias teams that posted a 32-game winning streak were recognized on the field.


 Gallery: Helias Football vs. Vianney


Helias then got the ball first to start the game and went 66 yards in 10 plays to get on the scoreboard. A 31-yard pass from Drew Miller to Lucas Bloomer on a fourth-and-11 play keyed the drive, capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by Alex Marberry. Nic Calvaruso booted the first of his eight extra points and it was 7-0 a little more than three minutes into the game.

Vianney had a quick answer, scoring three plays later as Kayden Wood tossed an 83-yard catch and run touchdown to Kel Battle. Logan Montoya of Helias blocked the extra point and Helias led 7-6 with 7:17 remaining in the first quarter.

That play accounted for more than half of Vianney’s total offense in the first half.

Helias needed just five plays to get that score back. A 36-yard pass from Miller to Trey Bexten got the Crusaders deep into Golden Griffin territory. Three consecutive runs by Mason French, the last coming from 4 yards out, made it 14-6.

A 20-yard punt by Vianney gave Helias the ball back at its own 42. Three plays later, Miller connected with a wide-open Myles Gresham for a touchdown to extend the Crusaders’ lead to 21-6.

Vianney punted again on its next possession and a fair-catch interference penalty on the Golden Griffins left the Crusaders starting at their own 22. After a false start penalty on the Crusaders, Miller threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Bexten to give Helias a 28-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.

After another Vianney punt, Helias put together its longest scoring drive of the game. Starting at their own 16, Helias went the 84 yards in seven plays. A 40-yard run by Marberry got Helias into Vianney territory before French scored his second 4-yard touchdown run of the night to give Helias a 35-6 lead midway through the second quarter.

Trey Rice then blocked a Vianney punt on its next possession and Jacob Lanigan of the Crusaders fell on the loose ball in the end zone to make it 42-6.

Vianney punted the ball back to Helias to end its next drive and the Crusaders took over at the Golden Griffin 35. Nine plays later, Marberry scored on a 4-yard run and it was 49-6 with :33.8 remaining in the half.

But the Helias offense wasn’t done in the half. The Crusaders forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and CJ Howell recovered it at the Vianney 14.

Four plays later, Calvaruso came on to kick a 27-yard field goal and Helias took a 52-6 lead into intermission.

“Nic came in and kicked a good field goal,” Hentges said. “His technique is so good.”

Helias finished with 318 total yards and 14 first downs in the first half.

Each team scored a touchdown in the second half.

Vianney’s came with 3:57 remaining in the third quarter on a 79-yard pass from Wood to Jack Burke. Keith Garret kicked the extra point to make it 52-13.

Helias scored with 9:03 left on a 3-yard run by Howell to make the final 59-13.

Vianney finished with 262 total yards. The Griffins ran the ball 20 times for 22 yards, while completing 10-of-27 passes for 240 yards.

Helias had 387 total yards in the game -- 230 passing and 157 rushing on 28 carries.

Vianney falls to 0-9 on the season.

Helias (7-2) will host a first-round Class 5 District 4 game next Friday night. The Crusaders, who finished third in the district standings but will be the No. 2 seed by virtue of its win against Capital City, will host Liberty: Wentzville.