The Musketeers traveled south to Chester Friday to battle the Yellow Jackets in a game that would determine who will be crowned the Cahokia Conference Champions. Red Bud brought a stingy defense along with their high-powered offense and a 6-1 record to the match. Chester boasted a 5-3 record, a five-game winning streak, and home-field advantage; both teams were 5-0 in conference play. The first quarter was spent by both teams jockeying for field position, looking for the other to make a mistake. The ever-strong Musketeer line had their hands full with the Chester defense, allowing pressure on the Red Bud quarterback and creating a turnover. The Musketeer defense was able to hold off the Jackets and the first quarter ended at 0-0. Chester drew first blood in the second quarter, scoring a touchdown on a 10-yard run but missed the extra point making the score 6-0 going into the half.

Red Bud took the lead in the third quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run on a quarterback keeper by Thomas Friess. Lane Brockmeyer nailed the PAT and the Musketeers were up7-6. Friess was 7 for 15 passing for 98 yards to five different receivers with no interceptions in the game. Chester was able to corral the Musketeer running game holding The Boys to a season-low 68 total yards rushing headed by Lucas Schwartzkopf with 41 yards on the ground and 27 yards on one reception.

The Musketeer defense stood its ground, protecting the slim one-point lead until late in the fourth quarter. The Yellow Jacket defense reached Friess on a pass play when what looked to be an incomplete pass was ruled a fumble on the field. A Chester player scooped up the ball and returned it 64 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Chester successfully executed an on-side kick following the go-ahead touchdown, recovering the ball near midfield and sealing the win. The game ended at 12-7. It was a real heartbreaker for Red Bud. The win by the Yellow Jackets earned Chester the Cahokia Conference Championship and a playoff berth. Red Bud will likely be there as well but may be forced to play on the road, it boils down to what happens Friday night when the Musketeers face the Wood River Oilers in Red Bud in the final game of the 2022 campaign.

It’s also Senior Night. Senior athletes and their parents will be introduced before the game between 6:30 and 6:45. It is a terrific time to honor the players and their parents who have sacrificed and supported their children in their athletic endeavors. You will need to arrive early to see the introductions. The game is also designated “Ashlynn-Strong Night”. Fans will be wearing Orange in support of RBHS student Ashlynn Crafton who is battling leukemia. Festivities begin at 6:30, kickoff is at 7:00.