Helias’ Chris Hentges embarks on final season

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

For decades, the names Hentges and Helias have gone hand-in-hand in Jefferson City.

"My dad started that, but myself as a player, my brother as a player, you know my son, my nephews who played here, all my sisters who supported Helias football down through the years," head coach Chris Hentges said. "It was so much apart of our family." 

However, a monumental era at Helias Catholic High School is coming to an end, following the 2026 season.

On Monday, Coach Hentges announced to his team that he will be stepping down at the conclusion of his 14th season as the leader of the Saders. It was a decision that didn't come easily, but one that he knew was coming.

"I think anytime you step away from something that's been such a big part of your life, it's a hard decision. It's hard for all of us, you know, in all walks of life. But, this one was especially personal for me just because of our family connection here at the school and it's something that I will say flirted with for the last couple of years, you know, but we had such fun and successful seasons the last two years. I would tell my wife, I want to go one more and she was always very supportive. Yeah, let's go one more. And, you know, at the end of the year last year and I said it again, I'm going to go one more and that's going to be it."

Funny enough, the way Hentges went about this decision followed in the footsteps of his father, Ray, who coached at Helias for more than three decades. In 1998, after Ray had led the Crusaders to two state championships and 251 wins, he decided to retire...but he made sure to make that announcement before his final season began, so he could soak in all the final moments.

When Chris Hentges consulted his dad about that decision, and if he should make this life-changing announcement before the season, Ray said he wouldn't have had it any other way.

"I asked him how, you know, 'how how was that, you know, knowing that it's your last season before the season?' He said it was great. He said he wouldn't have done it differently," Hentges said. "To have this journey, to have this ride, but also to kind of go out on your own terms. I think a lot of high school coaches, you know, they're asked to leave or their end is not a positive end because their seasons haven't been going well. So, you know, I'm hoping for a very successful season, that would be a great thing, but it's been a great experience."

Coach Hentges said that, by far, telling his players was the hardest part of the entire process. But, he told his final group of seniors that he wants them both to enjoy their last ride as Crusaders together.

Once his time as 'Coach Hentges' is complete later this year, Hentges will be moving on into the next chapter of his life...one that will feature lots of time with family.

"I wouldn't have changed my path for anything, but I also know there's more to life than just high school football, as important as we sometimes make it. [What's] also really important is family and that's enjoying this last stage and, you know, being grandpa and being able to travel with my wife,"he said. "You know, summers we have but being able to have a fall and other times of the year that sometimes were tied to the sport of football, again, it's something I've loved and it's been a great experience."

Hentges loves the team that will turn out to be his last one in Jefferson City, as he told this group that he admires how close-knit they are and the hard work they put in on the field, day-in and day-out.

"We lack experience, you know. I don't think we lack talent, I say we lack experience," Hentges said. "You know, losing Austin Weaver, our quarterback for three years, so we have big shoes to fill there. I feel like we have talented quarterbacks that can do it."

The competition for who will be Helias' starting quarterback for the 2026 campaign rages on, as Hentges said senior Bryan Carden, junior Grant Norment and sophomore Grady Lee have all had good summers.

Of course, over the years, Helias has become known for stellar quarterback play, hinging on the ability to find that dual-threat signal-caller that a Hentges-run offense thrives with.

"You know, we want a quarterback that can run the football, but we also want a quarterback that's a capable thrower. You know, I like to have the dual threat," Henges said. We haven't always had, you know, excellent dual threat quarterbacks, but we've had some that are better runners, some that are better throwers. That's what you try to develop, but you also kind of have to work with what you have to, you know, tailor your offense around the skill set of your quarterback and your running backs and your receivers. We've got some good experience coming back at the wide receiver position. You know, Jordan Sykes was a top receiver for us last year and he's looked great all summer long. He'll be a main target for us. But, you know, we got other weapons to and we got a whole new stable of running backs that we're breaking in that don't really have a lot of carries or experience, but I think they have a lot of talent. So, it's going to be fun to watch this team develop as the season progresses."

Hentges said the next couple of weeks that the team has before the season opener against Hannibal will be critical, as this unit looks to gel together in time for kickoff.

As always, Helias hopes to see success on the field in 2026, but Hentges said that if his team plays the hard-nosed and competitive style of Crusader football that his program has become so known for, then he'll be proud.

When the season does kickoff on Aug. 28, Hentges will be embarking on a goodbye tour, across Mid-Missouri.

"I sent a text to all the CMAC coaches and you know, they wished me well on my decision. I just told them it's been an honor coaching against them in the CMAC conference and looking forward to this one last dance with them," he said.

Hentges' last dance wil begin on Aug. 28 with a road trip to Hannibal High School.