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Chris Hentges gives instructions during the Helias Crusaders football camp last week at Ray Hentges Stadium.

Hentges optimistic as he returns to the sidelines for Crusaders

June 20, 2018

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. --- Some reasons (excuses) for missing your team's summer football camp are better than others.

Bad reasons:

^ Going to the Lake to play Skee-Ball.

^ Taking a nap.

Good reason:

^ Going to Belize.

Even that could be somewhat iffy, but not this time --- it was a trip organized by Heias and it was planned a long, long time ago.

"It was bad missing your top rusher (senior Blake Veltrop, 980 yards last season)," Helias head coach Chris Hentges said. "We're expecting big things from him --- he's got great breakaway speed and we're definitely going to use him in this offense.

"But lot of juniors and seniors make those trips, they plan it a year in advance, and they fund-raise for it. It's something they couldn't change, plus, I was forced to move the camp dates because of other conflicts."

Veltrop and four other seniors missed two days of the four-day camp.

"It is what it is," Hentges said. "But those five kids who went to Belize are such smart kids, we'll get them caught back up with no problem."

Really, this wouldn't be any problem at all except for this --- Hentges and the Crusaders are installing new systems on both offense and defense.

"Putting in the new offense and new defense --- and it was the first time we got everybody together doing it --- and sitting in the coaches office after the week was over, I reminded them of where we were 12 years ago (when Hentges started his first stint as head coach with the Crusaders).

"Overall, we're a lot farther along with these guys than we were then. There were some aspects where we could be better, but we got a lot accomplished in those four days.

"But there's still a long, long way to go."

Hentges is back after serving as an assistant coach for many years at his alma mater, then as head coach from 2006-2010. By his choice, he was an assistant on Phil Pitts' staff for four years, before leaving the sidelines the last three years to follow the career of his son, Hale, at Alabama.

Hentges is replacing Tim Rulo, who was fired after last season. With the change at the top comes the change in approach.

"We've played a (defensive) four-front in the past," Hentges said, "so the basic structure up front is the same. But going from a flex bone to a spread offense, that's a dramatic jump, so our offensive staff and players have a much bigger challenge.

"The route combinations, how we're attacking certain coverages ... it's a steep learning curve for all our quarterbacks and receivers. But we have smart kids who work hard, we'll get there."

Daniel Rhea returns for his senior season at quarterback, but he's still not 100 percent after offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum.

"He was just cleared to throw the football in late spring," Hentges said, "so he's still a little sore."

Just because Rhea is the returning starter, it's no lock he'll be the starter this fall.

"We've got some other capable quarterbacks (namely sophomores Jacob Weaver and Zachary Wolken), so there's a quarterback competition," Hentges said. "I told them the best quarterback will play --- I'm looking for that dual-threat quarterback, the guy who's going to be a threat with his legs, but also he can be effective in the passing game.

"It will be fun to see them compete in fall camp to see who wins the job."

Hentges is certainly having his own fun being back in the game.

"It felt really good," he said, "being back in charge, planning the practices and seeing the practice plan come together --- I don't think people understand the hours and hours coaches spend planning a good practice and seeing it executed.

"Just being able to line up 11 on 11, and seeing the offense have some success and the defense have some success, it was very gratifying."

This also is gratifying --- by all appearances, there's a wave of talent climbing up the ranks.

"There were some underclassmen at camp, some sophomores and juniors, who kind of opened our eyes and showed us a few things," said Hentges, who will be the offensive coordinator, while Victor Bell returns as defensive coordinator. 

"It was like, 'Wow, I didn't realize this kid was such a good route runner or had such good hands.' So it will be interesting to see how they develop."

For Chris Hentges --- and just like his father, Ray --- there's no place like home. And for both, their second home is the sidelines.

The similarities don't end there.

"I think I'm a better coach now," Chris said, "because you live and you learn each and every year. I feel as a head coach the second time around, I have a lot of advantages.

"But overall, I just try to make it a positive and meaningful experience for the kids, preparing them to be successful in not only the game of football, but in the game of life. I try to do those things each and every day."

Sound familiar?

"The kids all have a positive attitude," Chris continued, "and we're looking forward to a very successful season."

There's certainly good reason for optimism.