The Helias Catholic High School community celebrated Crusader football’s legacy of excellence, recognizing our All-American football alumni and the 40th anniversary of the Crusaders’ first ever state football championship in 1984, during the varsity football game Friday, September 13, at Ray Hentges Stadium.

1984 Class 4A State Championship Crusaders

The 1984 Crusader football team set numerous team, individual, and state records on their path to victory. With a 12-2 record for the season, the Crusaders were prepared to make Helias High School’s second state championship game appearance, 11 years after their first. Under the leadership of Head Coach Ray Hentges and coaches Mike Jeffries, John Crane, Ron Vossen, Denny Hughes, and Chris Cooper, the Crusaders won the 4A state championship title with a score of 23-13 over the Joplin Parkwood Bears.

In the state finals, the Crusaders set or tied 11 Show-Me Bowl team records and 16 individual records. The 1984 Crusader football team set new school records in pass offense, total offense, interceptions, and most points in a season. Individual records for the 1984 season included Paul Cauwenbergh for season receptions; running back Craig Lammers for most points in a season, career points, most touchdown catches in a game, most career touchdown catches, most yards receiving in a game, most career tackles, and most points in a game; and quarterback Ted LePage for most yards passing in a season, most completions in a season, most touchdown passes in a game, most career touchdown passes, most field goals in a season, most career field goals, and most career extra points. Several members of this state championship team also gained All-American honors while representing the Crusader football program.

All-American Football Crusaders

The Crusader legacy has been built with the help of standout student-athletes who have represented the blue and gold with their talent and sportsmanship. Among the highest honors a high school student-athlete can earn is the title of All-American.

On September 13 the Crusader community honored the contributions of Helias Catholic’s 14 All-American football players, who have received this honor over the course of six decades:

• #58 Leon DeLassus, Sporting News Prep All-American Honorable Mention in 1960 as an end
• #34 George Heisler, Sporting News Prep All-American Honorable Mention in 1960 as a fullback
• #62 Tom Bacon, Sporting News Prep All-American Honorable Mention in 1960 as a tackle
• #22 Jon Staggers, Prep All American Football and Coach & Athlete Magazine in 1966 as a halfback
• #23 Ron Adrian, National Football All American in 1973 as a halfback
• #34 Chris Hentges, Honorable Mention All American, National High SChool Athletic Coaches Association, and Scholars Coaches Magazine - Adidas in 1983 as a fullback — and current head coach of the Crusader football team
• #44 Craig Lammers, Honorable Mention All American, National High School Athletic Coaches Association, and Scholars Coaches Magazine - Adidas in 1984 as a halfback
• #10 Ted LePage, Honorable Mention All American and Scholars Coaches Magazine - Adidas in 1984 as a quarterback
• #71 Mike Shimmens, Honorable Mention 3rd Team All American, and Scholars Coaches Magazine - Adidas in 1984 as a tackle
• #63 Joe Vanderfeltz, Honorable Mention All American and Scholars Coaches Magazine - Adidas in 1986 as a center
• #88 Mike Hentges, National Honor Roll - High School Football in 1991 as a wide receiver
• #7 Paul Kaiser, Honorable Mention All-American and Blue Chip Magazine in 1992 as a quarterback
• #83 Hale Hentges, Under Armour All-American and 1st Team Max Preps All American in 2014 as a tight end
• #90 Vito Calvaruso, Kohl’s & Kicking World All-American Team in 2018 and 2019 as a kicker

These All-Americans hold a special place in our trophy case, where their jerseys are displayed as a testament to their outstanding achievements, and in the Crusader legacy of excellence.