Mid-Missouri High Schools Gear Up for State Championship Weekend

Columbia, MO – This weekend, two local high schools, Helias and Blair Oaks, are getting ready to battle for state championship titles in their respective classes. It’s an exciting time for both teams and their communities as they aim for glory.

Helias Prepares for Class 5 Championship

Helias will be competing for its first Class 5 state championship in school history against the undefeated Platte County. The Helias team is on a strong run this season, boasting a record of 12-1. Their only loss came back in Week 5, when they fell to Rock Bridge in overtime. Chris Hentges, the head coach, reflected on that setback, saying, “We had a Week 5 slip up with Rock Bridge. The guys really refocused after that, and we’ve been playing really good football.”

Junior quarterback Austin Weaver, who has ties to the team’s past success, is eager for the game. “We’re all just super excited to play in the game,” he said, as he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his brother who was part of the 2020 state championship squad.

Blair Oaks Aims for Class 3 Championship

On the other hand, Blair Oaks is set to face Seneca for the Class 3 state championship. Blair Oaks also holds a strong record of 12-1 this season, with their only loss coming in Week 2 against Lutheran North. Notably, they have been scoring an average of 51 points per game this season and dominated their opponents in the Class 3 tournament, outscoring them 192-20.

The head coach of the Falcons, Ted LePage, has focused on five key components for winning games: “It comes down to the teams that win: stand, start, alignment, assignment, and effort,” he stated. Blair Oaks is no stranger to success in football, and player Zachariah Bonnett shared his feelings on the opportunity, saying, “It would mean everything (to win). I’ve been praying about it.”

Game Day Details

The games will be taking place at Faurot Field on Saturday. Blair Oaks and Seneca’s showdown will kick off at 11 a.m., while Helias and Platte County will take the field for the Class 5 championship later that evening at 7 p.m.

Both teams are ready to leave it all on the field, and their communities are rallying behind them for what promises to be an exciting weekend of high school football.