Prep Football: Helias set to face African Centered College Prep

Helias quarterback Chandler Luebbert picks up yards on the ground during the Jamboree earlier this month in Wardsville. Luebbert and the Crusaders will open their home schedule Saturday against Africian Centered College Prep at Adkins Stadium.
Helias quarterback Chandler Luebbert picks up yards on the ground during the Jamboree earlier this month in Wardsville. Luebbert and the Crusaders will open their home schedule Saturday against Africian Centered College Prep at Adkins Stadium.

It didn't look like the Helias Crusaders would have a Week 2 game.

The search went through several states, trying to find an opponent who could fill the spot.

Late in the process, African Centered College Prep contacted Helias to say it was open as well. So the Class 3 school from Kansas City will travel Saturday to Adkins Stadium for a 4 p.m. contest.

"We're just glad to have a game," Rulo said.

The Knights will serve as the home opener for the Crusaders, who started the season last Friday with a 19-14 loss at Hannibal.

"We were right there," Rulo said. "They just made more plays than we did, didn't shoot themselves in foot as much as we did. That game can give us some piece of mind because it shows we can be a good team, but we just have a few things to clean up."

It was Helias' third straight loss to Hannibal and you could feel the frustration on the field after the game. Rulo said the Crusaders are using that frustration as a positive.

"It is driving us to get better," Rulo said."We weren't satisfied with the outcome, but happier with the execution and output of effort.

"There were some moments in that game that were outstanding. In the end, you have to keep learning. Our guys are getting a close, a play here or there. We're going to continue plugging away."

The Knights opened the season last week with a 36-0 victory against Van Horn.

"They returned a punt for a touchdown, they returned a kickoff for a touchdown, they returned an interception for a touchdown," Rulo said. "They were scoring in all kinds of ways. It was impressive."

The Knights have a variety of playmakers on offense.

"They figure out ways to get their best players the football," Rulo said.

Darius Jones, a senior, is the quarterback for the Knights.

"We're going to see a quarterback who can make plays with his feet, but then you have to pay attention because he can throw the deep ball on you," Rulo said.

The Knights operate out of a one-back set, with senior Ramon Hatcher getting a majority of the carries.

"He reminds a lot of (Nick) Collins of Rock Bridge last year," Rulo said. "He does a great job in the backfield, he can make a lot of plays."

Jaron Nelson, another senior, is Jones' favorite target.

"He's the type of receiver that can break behind your secondary and catch a lot of balls," Rulo said.

Defensively, the Knights operated mostly out of a three-man front against Van Horn. Michael Kinchen and Jamul Davis key the line for African Centered College Prep.

"Both of them are very big and do a good job," Rulo said.

The Crusaders aren't quite sure what kind of defense they're going to see Saturday.

"We've prepared ourselves for just about every look," Rulo said. "As our offense continues to get better, we expect to see that from teams the remainder of the season."

With last week's win, the Knights matched their win total from the 2015 season.

"They are just trying to build a program right now," Rulo said. "I know that they're excited after their Week 1 win and they'll come down here ready to play.

"As a team, if they keep growing, they should be able to compete very well in their class in the Kansas City area."

The Crusaders are looking for a more consistent effort in Week 2. If that happens, they feel they should come out on the right side of the scoreboard.

"We want to play to our level," Rulo said. "We've stressed that so much this week. We have to be consistent for four quarters."

Helias wants to use this week to show how much it has improved.

"It's one thing to say you have big dreams and desires," Rulo said. "It's another to put in the work to achieve those things. We're going to work to get better and achieve our dreams and desires."

Notes: This is the first of six Saturday games for the Crusaders this season. "We're used to Saturday games at Helias, this is nothing new," Rulo said. "I think that can be an advantage for us." All five home games are on Saturday this season, along with next Saturday's contest against Bishop Althoff in the City of Champions Classic at East St. Louis (Ill.) High School. Rulo said the Crusaders will have the same starting lineup it did last week. Senior linebacker Dylan Gaines missed time in the second half last Friday with an injured thigh and has been limited in practice this week as a precaution, but Rulo said he will start. The Crusaders could have a different look in the kicking game Saturday. Sam Heckart, Helias' No. 1 placekicker, will be with the Crusader soccer team Saturday at the Quincy (Ill.) Notre Dame Tournament. He is expected to be at the stadium sometime after kickoff. Vito Calvaruso, a freshman, is Helias' No. 2 kicker. Rulo said Calvaruso has looked good in practice, including booting a 42-yard field goal.

Helias Catholic hosts African Centered College Preparatory, 4 p.m. Saturday

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