Mid-Missouri High Schools Gear Up for State Championship Weekend
This weekend, two high schools from mid-Missouri are set to compete for state football championships. Helias is looking to claim its first-ever Class 5 state title, going up against the undefeated Platte County. Meanwhile, Blair Oaks aims to capture another championship as they face Seneca for the Class 3 title.
Helias enters the game with a record of 12-1, having faced their only loss in overtime against Rock Bridge during Week 5. Despite that setback, head coach Chris Hentges is confident in his team’s ability to bounce back. “We had a Week 5 slip-up with Rock Bridge,” he noted. “The guys really refocused after that, and we’ve been playing really good football.” Junior quarterback Austin Weaver, whose brother was part of the 2020 championship-winning team, expressed excitement about the upcoming match. “We’re all just super excited to play in the game,” he said.
On the other hand, Blair Oaks, also holding a strong 12-1 record after a loss to Lutheran North in Week 2, has been on a remarkable run. The Falcons have averaged an impressive 51 points per game this season and have dominated opponents during the Class 3 tournament with a total score of 192-20. Coach Ted LePage emphasized the basics of football, sharing that he has drilled into his team five key components: “stand, start, alignment, assignment, and effort.”
For the Blair Oaks players, the chance to win a state title is a significant goal. Player Zachariah Bonnett, who has two brothers that previously won state championships, said, “It would mean everything to win. I’ve been praying about it.”
The championship games will take place on Saturday at Faurot Field. Blair Oaks and Seneca will kick things off at 11 a.m., followed by Helias and Platte County battling for the Class 5 title at 7 p.m.
