There's no such thing as a good loss.
But if you give it a few days
"It all depends on how you react to it," Helias coach Tim Rulo said as the Crusaders (1-2) prepare for tonight's game against the Hickman Kewpies (0-3) at Ray Hentges Stadium. "If you learn from it, if you improve from it, then I think you can take positives. It's how you perform the week after.
"If you don't come out and look any better, than it was a bad loss."
Helias dropped a 21-15 decision last Friday to Althoff, the No. 2 team in Class 4A in Illinois. Helias led through the first two quarters, then fell behind by two scores before having a chance to tie or win the game in the final minute.
"That game has the potential to be a good loss because we did so many good things in the game," Rulo said. "It's a matter of cleaning up some things and we can be a very good football team."
Helias has worked to improve in three areas since the start of the season - depth, technique and resilience.
"In the past two weeks, we've seen that and we're moving in the right direction," Rulo said.
It was a good effort last Friday night by the Helias defense, which allowed more than 50 points to Althoff in each of the last two years.
"The defense has played well this season, except for a couple of quarters," Rulo said. "I've seen some growth in them as a combined unit and they're still getting better."
The Crusaders will be facing a different Kewpie team than it has seen in recent seasons.
"They have a lot more energy, a lot more enthusiasm," Rulo said. "It seems like the intensity at which they play is much higher."
Trevor Rubly is in his first season as head coach at Hickman. Rubly came to Hickman from Enid (Okla.) High School, where he was the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.
"Defensively, they look similiar to what they ran in the past," Rylo said. "Offensively, they are a more spread team now."
Hickman will likely be without starting quarterback Deven Crane, who left last week's game against Jefferson City with a concussion. Justin Kundert was 9-of-14 passing for 101 yards with a touchdown and an interception in relief against the Jays and is the probable starter tonight for the Kewpies.
Christian Davis is the featured back for Hickman, which managed just 21 rushing yards in last Friday night's 28-9 home loss to Jefferson City.
"He does a great job, he's very athletic," Rulo said. "Jeff City did a very good job against them in the run game, it was a good film for us to watch and learn from."
Cameron Chick is the top Kewpie target in the pass game. He had six catches for 80 yards and a touchdown against the Jays.
"They've always had weapons, we need to be ready for everything," Rulo said.
Defensively, the Kewpies are aggressive.
"Their linebackers and safeties are just flying to the ball, they really run downhill," Rulo said.
The Kewpies will try to slow a Crusader run game averaging more than 280 yards per game on the ground.
"We've had a lot of guys step up to the plate and make some plays," Rulo said. "The more dynamic we can get at our positions, the better we are going to look."
After last week, one-third of the regular season is in the books.
"This is the grind part of the season, weeks 4-9," Rulo said. "It can be challenging for the guys, the newness of the season has worn off, but they still have to have the drive to get better and be ready to go."
Rulo said the Crusaders still have that drive.
"We're hungry to improve, we haven't had a lull in practice," he said. "Our desire to improve is still there."
Helias is still looking for its first win at its new stadium.
"It's just a matter of getting over the hump and we have a chance to do that (tonight)," Rulo said.
Game time is 7 p.m.
III
Helias has won the last three games in the series with Hickman by an average score of 46-9. Hickman was 1-9 last season under interim head coach Devin Brown, who took over after the death of Arnel Monroe. This begins the Crusaders' four-week slate with games against Columbia schools. Helias will travel to Battle and Father Tolton for its next two contests before hosting Rock Bridge for Homecoming on Saturday, Sept. 30. That game against the Bruins is the final home game of the regular season for the Crusaders, who will wrap up the schedule at Kirksville and DeSmet. The Kewpies have been outscored by an average of 33-18 in their first three games this season. Helias has led at halftime in all three of its games this season. Rulo said the Crusaders are injury-free and there are no changes in the starting lineup. Helias has not committed a turnover in its last two games.
Related media:
Helias Crusaders Football Podcast [Hickman preview, Sept. 8, 2017]