The Musketeers improved to 4-1 with a convincing win over the Sparta Bulldogs Friday night in Red Bud’s Homecoming football game. The contest began with the Musketeers kicking off to the Bull Dogs who quietly went four-and-out on their first possession. Red Bud fielded a short punt and returned it to mid-field to set up their offense. Senior Thomas Friess, starting at quarterback for the second straight week, hit Nick Gantner in stride, with a pass in the middle of the Sparta defense for a touchdown strike on the Musketeers’ first play from scrimmage. Lane Brockmeyer added the PAT to give Red Bud an early 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs took Brockmeyer’s kick-off following the TD but again were forced to punt. Red Bud took over and scored their second TD on a five-yard run by Gantner to give The Boys a 14-0 lead, still in the first quarter, but they were not finished. The Musketeer defense pinned the Bulldogs deep in their own territory when on a third and forever Sparta’s quarterback dropped back to pass from the endzone and was tackled by Kyle Loughner for a Red Bud safety making the score 16-0. Sparta executed a free kick following the safety giving the ball to Red Bud near midfield. Red Bud put together a drive led by strong blocking behind the Musketeer line culminating in a 7-yard touchdown run by Lucas Schwartzkopf. Red Bud added yet another score where Gantner broke free for a 53-yard TD run up the middle behind the blocking of Ty Carter and Nolan Krack. This time the PAT kick failed but the Boys led 29-0 at the end of the first period.

The Musketeers kept the ball on the ground for the remainder of the game, working the clock and trying players in game situations while adding to their lead. With just under seven minutes to play in the second quarter, Schwartzkopft took it in for a 4 yard TD run. Brockmeyer’s PAT made it 36-0. Later, with under a minute remaining in the half, on a third and long, Musketeer Head Coach David Lucht sent out the field goal team. Kicker Lane Brockmeyer connected for a 32-yarder making the score 39-0 at the half.

Red Bud played it conservatively in the second half, giving some of their players some much-deserved time off and working others in to get some needed game time. Sophomore Dylan Oliver ran the offense from the quarterback position with Trace Wagner and Gavin Baldwin holding down the running back duties. The Musketeers scored their final TD on a 38-yard run by Wagner in the third quarter to make the final score 45-0. It was the second shut-out by Red Bud this season and the team’s fourth win making their Conference record 2-0. 

This week the team travels to Dupo to battle the 3-1 Tigers. Dupo is coming off a win against Carlyle last week and is also 2-0 in conference play making this game an important step to winning the conference. Make the trip north to support your team. Kick-off is at 7:00.