Helton powers Baylor defense

College recruiters were undecided about the future of Baylor linebacker David Helton. The coaches at Duke, where he has committed, see him as the ideal linebacker.

Southeastern Conference coaches who have seen him feel that the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder is going to grow into a sizeable but quick defensive end.

There is no argument that he can play Division I football. One recruiter in two weeks ago watched him for less than a quarter and told a friend, "The kid can play. There's no doubt."

If there were recruiters in the stands Friday for Baylor's playoff semifinal victory over Battle Ground Academy, they would have gotten a great preview on what's to come.

Helton recorded 14 solo tackles and a number of assists and earned Times Free Press player of the week honors as the Red Raiders secured their first state championship game appearance since 1977. Baylor defeated BGA 33-14 and will meet Ensworth for the Division II-AA championship on Dec. 2 in Cookeville.

"Fourteen tackles sounds about right," Baylor coach Phil Massey said. "He also had a big hit in the third quarter that was pivotal. They scored and we answered, but David made a big hit on their quarterback that got everybody back into the game emotionally."

The Red Raiders were pitching a shutout and held a three-TD lead through the first two quarters but BGA got on the board eight minutes into the third quarter. Helton reawakened the Baylor defense after that.

He also was a contributor offensively, snagging a Jacob Huesman pass and taking it the rest of the way for a 37-yard TD and the Red Raiders' second score.

It is on defense, though, where recruiters have become enamored. Helton missed the final two quarters of the Pope John Paul II game and the entire game the next week against MBA, yet still 11.8 tackles per game in the Red Raiders' 3-3-5 defense.

"It's hard to double-team him with our scheme, but John Mackey has had a very good year up front and Buck plays well at the other tackle. We've used David Brody and Garrian King at the nose and they've done an excellent job. He's had some good guys in front of him," Massey said.

Helton, now with more than 100 tackles for the year, committed to Blue Devils head coach David Cutcliffe before the season began and that alleviated some pressure that might have come his way. Mackey and friends also helped, but Helton hasn't needed all that much help.

"David knows he's going to play at the next level and where," Massey said. "He has been a cornerstone for our defense all season long. He comes ready to play every week. He's a captain, he conducts himself as a captain and this year he has come to every game mentally and physically prepared."

Upcoming prep playoff games

All kickoffs are EST

Friday, Nov. 26

Tennessee

Class 2A

Boyd-Buchanan (9-4) at Signal Mountain (12-0)

Class 1A

Coalfield (10-2) at South Pittsburg (10-2)

Alabama

North Jackson (13-0) at Deshler (11-2), 8

Georgia

Fitzgerald (10-2) at Calhoun (12-0), 7:30

Thursday, Dec. 2

TSSAA Division II championship

At Tennessee Tech

Baylor (10-1) vs. Ensworth (9-2), 8