Tom Rackers is sports editor at the News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @tjrackers.
Jays soccer blanks School of the Osage
It was a step in the right direction.
"I don't think we found our stability, but we're a step closer," Jefferson City coach Scott Blake said after the Jays used a pair of second-half goals to get past the School of the Osage Indians 2-0 at the 179 Soccer Park.
Sep. 22 2021 @ 12:18am
Helias soccer surges in second half to beat Camdenton
It was almost a sense of relief.
The Helias Crusaders had struggled to find the net in recent games against quality competition. Things didn't get any better in the first half Monday night, when the Crusaders went into halftime scoreless against the Camdenton Lakers on Senior Night at the Crusader Athletic Complex.
But it didn't take long to get things going in the second half. And when they got going, they kept going.
Sep. 21 2021 @ 12:18am
Rogers dominates for Helias in Classic third-place game
It wasn't a no-hitter, but Mallorey Rogers had no-hit stuff.
Rogers gave up an infield single to the first batter of the game Saturday afternoon against Lee's Summit in the third-place game of the Lady Jays Softball Classic at Binder Park.
And that was it for the Lee's Summit offense.
Sep. 19 2021 @ 12:20am
Friday Football: Helias comes alive in last three quarters against Granite City
After opening with a pair of disappointing offensive series Friday night, the Helias Crusaders looked to be back on track.
They scored the next two times they had the ball to take a 14-0 lead against the Granite City Warriors at Ray Hentges Stadium. But Helias coach Chris Hentges wanted to make sure the the Crusaders were out of their slumber and didn't hit the snooze button after the second touchdown.
Onside kick.
Sep. 19 2021 @ 12:14am
After slow start, Helias rolls past Granite City
It took a little time Friday night for the Helias Crusaders to hit their stride.
But when they did, they were gone.
Sep. 18 2021 @ 12:40am
Helias steps out of CMAC play to host Granite City, Ill.
It's the meat in a CMAC sandwich. Last Friday night, the Helias Crusaders traveled to Columbia to defeat the Battle Spartans. Next Friday, the Crusaders go back to Columbia to take on the Rock Bridge Bruins, with the winner taking a big leg-up in the race for the Central Missouri Activities Conference title. Tonight at Ray Hentges Stadium, the Crusaders (2-1) step out of conference play to take on the Granite City (Ill.) Warriors (0-3) in a game they can't overlook.
Sep. 17 2021 @ 2:00am
Rolla soccer edges Jefferson City in overtime
As the match entered the 80th minute, it looked like one goal would be enough.
It turned out it wasn't.
Sep. 17 2021 @ 12:25am
Gateway Legacy puts on a show in win vs. Helias
All you could do was admire what you saw.
"It's solid, it's technical, it's the best soccer I've seen on this field," Helias coach Jay Hebenheimer said after the Crusaders dropped a 9-1 decision Wednesday night to the Gateway Legacy Lions at the Crusader Athletic Complex.
"It was fun to watch, even though we were on the wrong end of it."
Sep. 16 2021 @ 12:14am
Jays soccer holds on to beat Southern Boone 2-1
Circumstances left the Jefferson City Jays scrambling just a bit. Three yellow cards in a 15-minute span in the second half Tuesday night tested the depth of the inexperienced Jays in their game against the Southern Boone Eagles at the 179 Soccer Park. And while they didn't pass with flying colors, they got a passing grade as Jefferson City defeated Southern Boone 2-1.
Sep. 15 2021 @ 12:16am
Capital City scores twice early in win against Helias
It was a sudden turn of events.
Less than a minute into Monday night's "Battle of the Blue" boys soccer game between Capital City and Helias, the Cavaliers were lining up to take a penalty kick.
Sep. 14 2021 @ 12:42am
Berkey pitches Helias softball to doubleheader sweep
Molly Berkey shut the door on the Cape Girardeau: Notre Dame Bulldogs on the opener Saturday. Berkey never let the door open in the second game against the Jackson Lady Indians. The Helias junior got the final three outs in the top of the seventh inning against Cape Notre Dame, then went the distance in the circle in the nightcap against Jackson as the Lady Crusaders swept a softball doubleheader at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.
Sep. 12 2021 @ 12:30am
Friday Football: Helias overcomes frustration to beat state-ranked Battle
The Helias Crusaders were down heading to the locker room at halftime Friday night. Not on the scoreboard, Helias held a 21-6 lead against the Battle Spartans. They were down because they believed the lead should have been bigger. "It was almost like we were losing by two scores when we were winning by two scores," Helias coach Chris Hentges said. "I asked the players if I told them before the game we'd be winning 21-6 at halftime, would they take it? Heck, yes, we would. So let's celebrate a great first half. It was a fluky ending, but it was a great first half for us."
Sep. 12 2021 @ 12:25am
Helias beats state-ranked Battle 35-22 on road
The Helias Crusaders took a big step forward. Will Herrbold ran for a pair of touchdowns and the Crusader defense made several big plays Friday night as Helias defeated the Battle Spartans 35-22 in Central Missouri Activities Conference action.
Sep. 11 2021 @ 12:46am
Goal Lines: Helias set to take on Battle in key CMAC and district matchup
The Helias Crusaders know they won't have the best athletes on the field tonight. But that doesn't mean they can't overcome that with technique and execution.
Sep. 10 2021 @ 2:00am
Goal Lines: Russellville to host Sweet Springs in home opener
The Russellville Indians are ready to get back on the field. After missing last Friday night's game against Tipton due to COVID-19 issues with the Cardinals, Russellville will open its home schedule tonight against the Sweet Springs Greyhounds.
Sep. 10 2021 @ 2:00am
Helias boys soccer falls to Rock Bridge 5-2
The Helias Crusaders got back on the practice field Tuesday for a light workout, their first since shutting down the program last week due to COVID-19 concerns. Wednesday night, Helias was back in game action when they hosted the Rock Bridge Bruins at the Crusader Athletic Complex. The short turnaround wasn't ideal.
Sep. 9 2021 @ 1:28am
Press Box: Area teams off to expected starts to football season
There haven't been any shockers. Two weeks into the high school football season, the local teams are about where I expected them to be.
Sep. 5 2021 @ 12:14am
Friday Football: Helias gets confidence boost with win vs. Hickman
It was a sign of progress.
"It's a confidence-building win for a team that doesn't have a lot of varsity experience," Helias coach Chris Hentges said Friday night after the Crusaders defeated the Hickman Kewpies 41-6 in Central Missouri Activities Conference action at Ray Hentges said. "We're capable of playing good football, we showed that tonight."
Sep. 5 2021 @ 12:04am
Helias rolls past Hickman
This was a step in the right direction.
Coming off a disappointing opening loss to Hannibal, the Helias Crusaders cruised to a 41-6 victory Friday night against the Hickman Kewpies to open the Central Missouri Activities Conference season at Ray Hentges Stadium.
"It was a big bounce-back game for us," Helias coach Chris Hentges said. "We needed that."
Sep. 4 2021 @ 1:09am
Goal Lines: Helias looks to bounce back tonight against Hickman
It was a week of getting back to the basics. The Helias Crusaders felt that was the way to go after last Friday night's 54-20 loss to the Hannibal Pirates.
Sep. 3 2021 @ 2:00am