After back-to-back eight-win seasons, the Red Bud Musketeers will be looking for a third consecutive trip to the state playoffs this season.
The Musketeers return six starters on offense and six on defense.
“Our strengths this season will be our speed and athleticism,” said Red Bud coach Dave Lucht. “The team has worked hard all off season, and that hard work has paid off in practice so far. We lost a lot of talent to graduation, but we do return some experience from last year.”
Red Bud will look to senior Zach Siebold (6’, 170) to lead the offense at quarterback. Siebold started the second half of last season after All State quarterback Jake Hoffman went down with a knee injury.
“We were happy with Zach’s play last year,” said Lucht. “He is a good passer, we will just need more production from him running the ball this season.”
The Musketeers’ backfield will be loaded this year with three-year returning starter senior Tyler Hubert (5’10, 180) leading the way.
“Hubert will see the bulk of the carries,” added Lucht. “He has plenty of experience on the varsity level and can really carry a team with his running ability.”
Along with Hubert, returning starter senior Alex Phegley (6’, 190) and senior Kevin Crafton (5’11, 175) will also see time at runningback.
“Alex is more of a power runner with good speed as well,” said Lucht. “Kevin has good speed and is extremely hard to tackle in the open field. All three of our runningbacks are a little different, and that gives us good depth and will be a major strength of our offense.”
At the wide receiver positions, Crafton and Phegley will see a lot of time, along with first year senior Ryan Wendt (6’3, 200) and junior Colin Wiegard (6, 170).
“There is a good battle for time between these guys,” said Lucht. “All of them can catch the ball and run good routes.”
One area Red Bud has questions marks about going into the season is its offensive line, as only one starter returns. Senior Jason Greer (6’3, 220) will be counted on to anchor the line at tackle as the one starter back for the Musketeers.  Senior Ryan Moll (5’10, 195) will start at the other tackle spot, while senior Jordan Hannah (5’8, 190) and junior Levi Curten (6’, 195) will be the starting guards. Junior Levi Smith (5’8, 225) will start at center, and junior Jacob Moll will see time on the offensive line, as well.
“I am confident this group will do a good job, but it will be a learning process,” said Lucht. “They have the strength and ability to do well. I think they will be our big surprise of the season.”
On the defensive line, Ryan Moll and Greer return as defensive ends. They will be looked to anchor the defense up-front. Red Bud will use a rotation of  seven guys at the defensive tackle positions. Expected to see time at defensive tackle are Hannah, Smith, Curten, Jacob Moll, sophomore Kristian Miller (5’8, 190), junior Zach Zeidat (5’8, 200) and sophomore Lance Jones (6’3, 225).
“Our defensive line is still learning,” said Lucht. “We need them to meet and take on the blocks and let our linebackers come in and make the play.”
Red Bud returns three starters at linebacker in Hubert, Crafton and Phegley.
“We feel very strong about this unit,” said Lucht. “They know their positions and should be the anchor for our defense. Hubert and Crafton are our best athletes and give us good speed on the outside. Phegley is a smart, hard-nosed kid. He will keep things from developing in the middle of the field.”
Senior Ben Huegle (6’, 190) and junior Kyle Cowell (5’6, 155) will also see time at linebacker this season.
In the defensive secondary, Wendt and Wiegard are expected to start, along with senior Zach Haas (5’8, 145) and junior Cody Koch (5’9, 140). Siebold may also see time in the secondary, as well added Lucht.
“I see good things happening with these guys,” said Lucht. “They have good speed and  have shown the ability to stop the big plays. After years of having our offense overshadow our defense, I think our defense will step up and overshadow our offense this year.”
Wiegard will handle the punting duties again this year, while Crafton will once again be the field goal kicker.
Red Bud is figured to be in the mix to battle for a conference title this year in the always-tough Cahokia Conference.
“Columbia will be very strong, as they have a really good junior class,” said Lucht. “Freeburg and Breese Central will just reload, as usual. Wesclin has some good athletes coming back. Carlyle has a great quarterback returning and will be dangerous this year. Dupo should be improved. There will be no easy conference games this season. It should be a dogfight to see who wins the conference.”
Red Bud will travel to Pinckneyville Friday night to take on the Panthers in the season opener.
“Pinckneyville has a lot of kids back from last year,” said Lucht. “They have a very solid line on both sides of the ball and a very athletic quarterback whom we didn’t see last year. They will be after us this year. Coach Tod Rushing will have a good game plan against us. We just need to limit mistakes and stop the big plays.”