Tom Rackers

Friday Football: Helias ends season with loss to Lebanon The Helias Crusaders improved by five wins from the 2018 season. But the 2019 season ended in the same place as last year — the district semifinals. Nov. 10 2019 @ 12:20am

Class change cuts into Helias state qualifiers The Helias Crusaders and Lady Crusaders worked hard in the offseason for runs at Class 3 cross country honors. Two weeks into the season, the Missouri State High School Activities Association released cross country district assignments. Helias was in District 3 — Class 4 District 3. Nov. 9 2019 @ 3:00am

Lebanon overpowers Helias, 43-13 It was decided up front. "They won the battle in the trenches, both offensively and defensively," Helias coach Chris Hentges said Friday night after the Crusaders dropped a 43-13 decision to the Lebanon Yellowjackets in the Class 4 District 5 semifinals at Ray Hentges Stadium. "Most people know that's where games are often won and lost is how you do up front." Nov. 9 2019 @ 1:00am

Paschal scores hat trick as Helias defeats Camdenton for district title The Helias Crusaders wanted to make this district soccer tournament special. They did. They've got the trophy to prove it. Nov. 8 2019 @ 12:25am

Helias in for battle against Lebanon in district semifinals The Helias Crusaders are happy to be in the Class 4 District 5 football semifinals. But they know they have to play better than they did last Friday against Rolla if they want to continue in the postseason. Nov. 8 2019 @ 12:15am

Hynes breaks assists record as Helias blanks Warrensburg Heading into Tuesday night's Class 3 District 9 Tournament opener, Luke Hynes already shared the Helias single-game assist record with four. After Tuesday night's game, the record is all his own. Nov. 6 2019 @ 12:45am

Capital City's first season ends with district semifinal loss to Camdenton The Capital City Cavaliers had their moments Tuesday night. But so did the Camdenton Lakers, who defeated the Cavaliers 4-0 in the semifinals of the Class 3 District 9 Tournament at the Crusader Athletic Complex. Nov. 6 2019 @ 12:40am

Football Friday: Helias finds a way to get past Rolla in district opener It was good enough to win Friday night. But it will have to be better down the road if the Helias Crusaders look to remain alive in the Class 4 postseason. Nov. 3 2019 @ 12:20am

Press Box: Mourning the demise of Deadspin You knew what Deadspin was the minute you opened its page on the Internet. You knew because it told you — "Sports news without access, favor, or discretion." Well, as of late last week, there's no more Deadspin. Nov. 3 2019 @ 12:00am

Helias battles past Rolla for 34-21 victory It wasn't the prettiest of games for the Helias Crusaders. But they won the battle on the scoreboard as Helias defeated Rolla 34-21 in a Class 4 District 5 first-round game Friday night at Ray Hentges Stadium. Nov. 2 2019 @ 12:55am

Seventh-ranked Helias opens postseason vs. Rolla With the start of the postseason, everybody is back to 0-0. That doesn't mean you just forget about the regular season. Nov. 1 2019 @ 2:25am

Eying Class 3 title, Helias to face Incarnate Word in softball semifinals For three years, the Helias Lady Crusaders knocked on the door. The Lady Crusaders lost in three consecutive district softball tournament title games to teams that eventually advanced to the Final Four. For nine Helias seniors, now it's their time. Nov. 1 2019 @ 12:40am

Class 3 softball Final Four team capsules Here are capsule looks at the four Class 3 Final Four softball teams: Nov. 1 2019 @ 12:35am

Helias advances to softball Final Four with win against Logan-Rogersville COLUMBIA — From the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex to Hickman High School to the Class 3 softball Final Four — Saturday was a big day for the Helias Lady Crusaders. Oct. 27 2019 @ 12:05am

Friday Football: With playoffs ahead, Helias won't dwell on loss to De Smet ST. LOUIS — The Helias Crusaders put Friday night's game in the past even before they returned to the visiting locker room. "It's over," Helias coach Chris Hentges said after the Crusaders dropped a 49-3 decision to the De Smet Spartans. "There is no reason to even dwell on this game because the playoffs start next week." Oct. 27 2019 @ 12:00am

Crusaders fall at No. 1 De Smet, earn No. 2 seed in district bracket ST. LOUIS — They knew something like this could happen. "We could not physically match up with them with their size inside," Helias coach Chris Hentges said Friday night after the Crusaders dropped a 49-3 decision to the De Smet Spartans. Oct. 26 2019 @ 12:45am

Helias closes regular season at top-ranked De Smet The Helias Crusaders are ready to face the challenge. The De Smet Spartans (8-0), a unanimous selection at No. 1 in Class 6 in the Missouri Media Rankings, are loaded with Division I talent on both sides of the ball heading into tonight's game against the Crusaders (8-0, No. 7 in Class 4) in St. Louis. Oct. 25 2019 @ 2:25am

Two-hitter leads Helias to 6-0 sectional victory against Bolivar Alexa Rehmeier and Lauren Howell combined on a two-hitter Wednesday and Helias batted around in the fourth inning as the Lady Crusaders blanked the Bolivar Liberators 6-0 in Class 3 sectional action at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex. Oct. 24 2019 @ 12:45am

Pitching, defense keys for Helias against Bolivar Postseason softball success is a simple formula. "Pitching and defense wins championships, it just does," Helias coach Chris Wyrick said as the Lady Crusaders (22-5) prepare to host the Bolivar Liberators (23-6) in a Class 3 sectional contest starting at 5 p.m. today at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex. "The team that plays the best defense will win the game." Oct. 23 2019 @ 12:15am

Helias' Rehmeier, Howell combine to no-hit Blair Oaks The Helias Lady Crusaders were going to have to earn it. The Blair Oaks Lady Falcons had won 13 consecutive softball district championships heading into the Class 3 District 9 title game Saturday against the Lady Crusaders. The Lady Falcons know what it takes to advance. Oct. 20 2019 @ 12:50am

Recent stories by Tom Rackers