Helias ignorning zero in win column for DeSmet

Helias teammates Daniel Rhea (8) and Jeremiah Heckman attempt to bring down Nate Peat of Rock Bridge during a game last month at Ray Hentges Stadium.
Helias teammates Daniel Rhea (8) and Jeremiah Heckman attempt to bring down Nate Peat of Rock Bridge during a game last month at Ray Hentges Stadium.

It's a statement that can leave you rolling your eyes - they're the best winless team in the state.

Except this time, it may be true as the Helias Crusaders (4-4) close the regular season tonight when they travel to St. Louis to take on the DeSmet Spartans (0-8).

"To most people, if you tell them they are 0-8, they're going to think they're terrible," Helias coach Tim Rulo said. "But just look at who've they played."

More than half of DeSmet's losses have come to teams in the top 10 or receiving votes in the Missouri Media Rankings.

C.B.C., the No. 1 team in Class 6 who has just one loss this season.

Vianney, the undefeated and No. 1 team in the Class 5 rankings.

Rock Bridge, No. 7 in Class 6 with one loss.

Hazelwood Central, No. 9 in Class 6 with one loss.

Fort Zumwalt West, receiving votes in Class 6 with two losses.

"It's been a true murderer's row," Rulo said. "It's like the SEC of St. Louis Archdiocese football.

"You can see the pieces are there, they have just been playing dominant teams."

DeSmet is a pass first, second and often third team, throwing it on up to 80 percent of its plays in a game this season.

"They are a lot like Tolton in that regard," Rulo said.

Nate Martens, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound sophomore, is the Spartans' quarterback. He is 85-of-168 through the air for 1,499 yards and 10 touchdowns with eight interceptions this season.

"Strong-armed kid, he's started every game this season who has improved each week, his reads are a lot better," Rulo said. "He can throw it 50-60 yards in the air, he can heave it."

That arm strength has to be on the minds of the Helias secondary. It's something most high school defensive backs normally don't have to deal with.

"Having to cover a guy for that long is abnormal," Rulo said. "Usually, it's 30-40 yards max. But this kid can throw it 10-20 yards further than that."

Martens started against Helias last year at Adkins Stadium, finishing 18-of-42 for 271 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions in a 50-27 Crusader victory.

DeSmet has three receivers - Jordan Johnson (22 catches for 584 yards and seven TDs), Ra'shod Harvey-Smith (28-461, 1 TD) and Grant Stegeman (17-306, 2 TDs) - with more yardage than its leading rusher.

Rico Barfield tops the Spartans with 283 yards (3.1 avg.) on the ground, with Martens close behind with 268 (2.5 avg.). Martens has run for seven scores.

The DeSmet offensive line features a pair of freshmen in Hutson Lillibridge (6-3, 285) and Brody Wisecarver (6-5, 270).

The Spartans, who have scored at least 13 points seven times this season, are averaging 21 points per contest.

Defensively, the Spartans have had problems keeping their opponents off the scoreboard. DeSmet is allowing 42 points per game.

Helias is coming off one of its best performances of the season, a 52-13 victory at Kirksville.

Helias is now looking to string together two wins for the first time this season.

"We need to take all of the hard work we've put in and apply it on the field," Rulo said. "Then hopefully, we'll get a return on that investment."

On the other side, the Crusaders want to keep the Spartans out of the win column,

"They're trying to build something, find a way to win," Rulo said. "With their youth, you can tell their best is still yet to come.

"If we go there and aren't focused, aren't ready to play, we could leave with a very bad taste in our mouths."

Game time is 7 p.m.

III

Helias quarterback Daniel Rhea was injured on his final carry against Kirksville and his status tonight will be a game-time decision. If he doesn't play, Conner McKenna will get the start, with freshman Jacob Weaver as the reserve. Austin Radmacher will start at safety if Rhea doesn't play. Helias has all but locked up the No. 4 seed in Class 4 District 7 with one game remaining. If the standings remain the same after this week's games, the Crusaders would host Wentzville: Liberty in the first round of districts next Friday at Ray Hentges Stadium. Warrenton, Moberly and Hannibal are the top seeds in District 7. Helias is 3-1 on the road and 1-3 at home this season. DeSmet's other losses have come to St. Louis University High, Chaminade and Jackson. The Spartans have lost 15 straight games. Their last win was a 41-34 decision against Fort Zumwalt West in the third week of the 2016 season. Helias ran for 516 yards against DeSmet last season.

Related media:

Helias Crusaders Football Podcast [DeSmet preview, Oct. 13, 2017]