One down, at least one more to go.
On a record-setting Friday night, the Helias Crusaders opened Class 5 District 4 play with a 55-13 victory against the Liberty: Wentzville Eagles at Ray Hentges Stadium.
“We played a good game, this was a good win,” Helias coach Chris Hentges said.
With the win, the second-seeded Crusaders (8-2) advance to take on sixth-seeded Battle (3-7) in the district semifinals. Battle advanced with a 34-14 win against third-seeded Capital City at Adkins Stadium. Helias scored 45 unaswered points in the second half to defeat Battle 58-16 in Week 3 this season.
The semifinal is slated for 7 p.m. next Friday.
“Now it’s all eyes on Battle,” Hentges said. “Credit to them for winning that game. We have a darned good football team coming in next Friday. We know we will have our hands full.”
Drew Miller established a pair of Helias single-season passing records Friday night. The senior quarterback finished 15-of-20 for 188 yards and two touchdowns, all in the first half.
Miller now has 150 completions this season, eclipsing the mark of 137 set by Wyatt Porter in 2012. Miller has thrown for 2,013 yards this season to better the mark of 1,928 set by current Helias offensive coordinator Zachary Rockers in 2010.
Miller, along with backup quarterback Sam Wyrick, combined to throw for 2,278 yards this season to better the team mark of 2,169 set in 2012.
All Helias season records are for the first 10 games.
“Drew has had a really good season,” Hentges said.
In addition, Helias tight end Trey Bexten set a single-game reception record. The senior caught 11 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns against Liberty: Wentzville. The previous record of 10 catches in a game was held by Andrew Stiles in 2011 and Jake Warren in 2019.
“Trey had a heck of a game,” Hentges said.
Helias led 10-0 after the first quarter.
After stopping the Eagles on downs on the game’s first possession, the Crusaders took over on their won 32. Helias drove inside the Liberty 10 before Nic Calvaruso came on to kick a 26-yard field goal to make it 3-0.
The Eagles punted on their next possession and the Crusaders got the ball at their own 21. Nine plays later, Mason French scored from 7 yards out and Calvaruso’s extra point gave Helias a 10-0 lead with two minutes left in the first quarter.
Logan Montoya of the Crusaders blocked an Eagles punt on the next possession and Helias took over the at Liberty 31. Five plays later, Alex Marberry scored on a 1-yard run and it was 17-0 less than a minute into the second quarter.
Helias increased its lead to 20-0 on its next possession on a 32-yard field goal by Calvaruso.
The Crusaders then scored three touchdowns in the final 2:34 of the half.
Helias took over the ball on downs at the Liberty 45. The Crusaders needed six plays to go 45 yards with the touchdown coming on a 6-yard run by Marberry to make it 27-0.
Sam Lopez of the Crusaders returned an interception 57 yards to the Helias 23 with less than a minute to go before halftime. On the next play, Miller connected with Trey Rice for a 23-yard score and it was 34-0.
The Eagles fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Cole Morehead of the Crusaders recovered at the Liberty 25. On first down, Miller hooked up with Bexten for a 25-yard touchdown with :05.9 left before halftime to make it 41-0.
Wyrick came on in relief of Miller to start the second half. In one series with the No. 1 offense, Wyrick led the offense 70 yards in six plays for a score, with the touchdown coming on a 39-yard pass to Bexten to make it 48-0.
The Helias second- and third-team defenses played the entire second half.
Liberty got on the board with 3:40 left in the third quarter on a 13-yard pass from Noah Kuehner to Matt Manocchio. Charlie Hebden’s PAT made it 48-7.
Kuehner then scored on a 2-yard run midway through the fourth quarter. The extra-point kick was short and Helias led 48-13.
Helias got its final touchdown with :50.7 remaining on a 62-yard run by CJ Howell. Calvaruso’s extra point made the final 55-13.
The Eagles finished with 123 yards rushing and 138 yards passing.
Helias totaled 510 yards -- 207 on the ground and 303 passing.