Everything old is new again.
For years, the Helias Crusaders made biannual trips to Kirksville to take on the Tigers when both were members of the North Central Missouri Conference. Tonight, for the first time in more than 10 years, Helias (3-4) returns to Kirksville (2-5).
"These can be fun games, we're excited to go see a different environment," Helias coach Tim Rulo said.
The Crusaders are figuring to get a tough tussle from the Tigers, who are 2-2 after starting the season with three straight losses.
"They have played some quality teams very close," Rulo said. "Their record may not show it, but they are a high-quality team."
But what Helias doesn't know is what Kirksville will do on offense and defense when it comes to formations."They do a lot of different things, it seems like they change things up almost weekly both offensively and defensively," Rulo said. "The first play may be something completely different from the second play.
"You kind of have to prepare for it all. But that's not a bad thing because it gets you ready for things you may see down the road and it has gotten us back to the basics."
Kirksville, which has been outscored 165-105 this season, is led by running back Blake Lewis. The 5-foot-6 senior, who broke away for a 59-yard touchdown run against Helias last season at Adkins Stadium, ran for 100 yards on 12 carries last week against Mexico. The rest of the team totaled minus-6 yards on the ground last week.
In a game this season against Marshall, Lewis ran for three scores and returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
"He is electrifying," Rulo said. "He has a lot of speed, he can break one at any time."
Colton Gillespie (6-0, 210, jr.) is the Tigers' fullback. He scored Kirksville's lone touchdown against Mexico on a 1-yard plunge in the fourth quarter of a 21-6 loss.
"They can change up with a bigger back in (Gillespie)," Rulo said. "You need to know where he is as well."
Slowing, if not stopping, the Kirksville run game is the key for the Helias defense.
"We have to get to the football and tackle well when we get there," Rulo said.
Kirksville ran for 225 yards against Boonville in Week 6.
The one constant in the Kirksville defense is the play of their linebackers.
"Their linebackers are the heart of their defense, they go and make plays," Rulo said. "It's going to be important to block them at the second level.
"They play with intensity and aggressiveness. That's what you want to see as a coach."
Helias is coming off a 58-30 loss to Rock Bridge in the Crusaders' Homecoming game last Saturday night at Ray Hentges Stadium. The Crusaders trailed 58-7 heading into the fourth quarter against the Bruins, No. 10 in the Class 6 Missouri Media Rankings.
"We didn't play the way we wanted, we didn't do what we needed to do," Rulo said. "We weren't able to do the things we wanted on a consistent level and it's up to us as coaches to find a way to get that done. We just have to keep after it.
"But I was happy with the kids' effort and that's a tribute to them."
Rulo doesn't think that game will define Helias' season.
"We still have things in front of us, we still have the opportunity to make a run," Rulo said. "That's the most important thing."
Helias' goal since the start of practice this summer was to advance to the district title game.
"To be district champs, you just can't start in Week 12, you have to get better every week," Rulo said. "You want to see growth, you want to be playing your best football at the end of the season.
"I feel like we're getting better in a lot of little things, now it's a matter of getting that to show up in the games."
Helias was 3-4 last season when Kirksville came to Adkins Stadium. The Crusaders defeated the Tigers 44-7 to start a four-game winning streak that led to a berth in the district championship game.
"We're in a similar spot," Rulo said. "We want to make another run at it. We want some momentum and this week is a chance to get some."
Game time is 7 p.m.
III
With a win tonight, Helias would take a big step toward wrapping up a top-four seed and at least one home game in the Class 4 District 7 tournament. The Crusaders are currently fourth, nearly five points ahead of Warrensburg. Helias will wrap up the regular season next Friday against DeSmet in St. Louis. The Crusaders will receive bonus points for playing up two classes against the Spartans. Kirksville is seventh in the district. Warrenton (6-1), Moberly (5-2) and Hannibal (4-3) hold down the top three district positions. Kirksville's two victories this season are against winless Marshall (38-0) and Boonville (27-6). Both of those wins were on the road. Kirksville is 0-4 at home this season. The Tigers will be celebrating Senior Night tonight. Kirksville will close the season next Friday in an NCMC game at Fulton. Helias was a member of the NCMC from 1981-2003. Helias linebacker Garrett Mingucci will be a game-time decision. He missed the Rock Bridge game. ... Helias has not lost consecutive games in a season since 2015.
Related media:
Helias Crusaders Football Podcast [Kirksville preview, Oct. 6, 2017]