Helsel's five TDs lead Pirates to playoffs

Branson's Isaac Johnston and Chris Melton tackle Republic's Chris Greene on Thursday.

By Pat Dailey
BDN Sports Editor
pdailey@bransondailynews.com

REPUBLIC — There actually were big plays not involving Branson’s Tee Helsel and Republic’s Chris Greene on Thursday, but not many.

Helsel had four touchdown runs during a career-high 160-yard rushing night and as a safety collected a pair of interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.

Meanwhile, Greene caught seven passes for 183 yards and one touchdown, ran for another score and from his linebacker post stripped Helsel of the ball during a carry and returned the fumble 43 yards for another touchdown.

But what decided the final outcome was Helsel receiving more help from his supporting cast than Greene, as Branson solidified its title as the program’s ultimate "Redeem Team," earning a state playoff berth with a 39-28 Class 4 District 11 triumph over Republic.

The Pirates clinched the contest with a well-balanced 59-yard scoring drive that took five minutes off the clock, after the Tigers had made it a one-touchdown game.

“It’s sure better to be in the situation in which you’re trying to run the clock out, rather than being on the defensive side trying to get the ball back,” said quarterback Cameron Chancey, who was 13-of-20 for 201 yards passing.

“We got in the huddle on that last drive and said, ‘All right boys, let’s put some more points on the board,” said fullback Shawn Turner, who had 15 yards rushing on the drive. “We’ve gotten good at that, eating up the clock. Us running backs love it.”

Helsel, who else, capped the drive with a 26-yard touchdown run.

Helsel had three of his four touchdown runs in the second half, after Republic gained a 21-20 lead.

His interceptions in the first half gave the Pirates the upper hand early and ruined an otherwise exceptional start by the Tigers. They trailed 20-7 at the half, despite totaling 209 yards of offense.

In addition to his interception that he turned into six points, Helsel took a potential six points away from the Tigers with an interception in the end zone.

“I got good opportunities,” Helsel said. “Their quarterback kind of threw me the ball a little bit on those two interceptions and our offensive line did a good job for giving me holes that I could bounce out on.”

No doubt, Helsel’s experience as a quarterback helped him on his picks. He has a pretty good idea what a quarterback is thinking in the pocket and made sure to read the eyes of Tigers signal-caller Stephen Shireman.

“On the first one, I slipped under Greene, and since he’s a lot bigger than me, I don’t think (Shireman) saw me,” Helsel said. “I don’t think he saw me on the second one, either. He put it right there, I broke on it and took it to the house.”

“Tee’s got good eyes, good reactions and good instincts,” coach Steve Hancock said.

“He’s a tremendous athlete,” center/linebacker Shayne Gonzalez said of Helsel. “I’m glad we have him on our team.”

Branson (8-2 overall and 4-2 in the Central Ozark Conference Large Schools Division) advances to meet No. 3-ranked Webb City (10-0 and 6-0) on Wednesday.

This is the Pirates’ first trip to the playoffs since 1998.

“It feels wonderful, because the kids have worked so hard,” Hancock said.

Republic (3-7 and 1-5) certainly made Branson earn its playoff ticket.

“You better believe it,” Hancock said. “Just when we thought we got control, something crazy would happen and they would get back in it. When they got control, we got right back in it. It was like a heavyweight bout. We’d knock each other down and go at it again.”

Jeremy Mahoney showed the versatile athlete he is once again, returning as a new wide receiver, after being restricted to kicking the past five weeks.

Mahoney caught a pair of first-half passes, including a 21-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Cameron Chancey.

The pass was tipped by a Republic defender, before Mahoney snagged it.

“It was right in the defender’s hands, and I just turned around and tried to predict where the ball would be,” Mahoney said.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Greene received plenty of kudos from the Pirates.

“You just can’t tackle him,” Helsel said. “He’s strong and has got tree trunks for legs. He overpowers everybody.”

“It took eight people to tackle them,” Gonzalez said. “I don’t know how they didn’t beat more teams, especially with that kid.”

“He has size, strength and heart,” Turner added.

Branson’s big man, lineman Mark Hill, played along the offensive line throughout the game for the first time in five weeks. He reported his injured right shoulder gave him no troubles.

“I’m 100 percent,” Hill said. “I’m glad to be back.”

Branson 6 14 6 13 39

Republic 7 0 14 7 28

Scoring

R — Shockley 29 run (Baumberger kick)

B — Helsel 24 run (kick blocked)

B — J. Mahoney 21 pass from Chancey (J. Mahoney kick)

B — Helsel 35 interception return (J. Mahoney kick)

R — Greene 1 run (Baumberger kick)

R — Greene 43 fumble recovery (Baumberger kicker)

B — Helsel 1 run (pass failed)

B — Helsel 1 run (J. Mahoney kick)

R — Greene 76 pass from Shireman (Baumberger kick)

B — Helsel 26 run (kick blocked)