In their final home game of the regular season, the Red Bud Musketeers put on a show for their fans by piling up over 500 yards of total offense in a 47-12 win over Sparta that clinched a playoff berth, their third consecutive appearance.
“It’s a great feeling to secure a spot in the playoffs especially after starting the season 0-2,” said Red Bud coach Dave Lucht. “We knew it would be a tough road but the guys played well down the stretch, and now we can prepare for the playoffs.”
Red Bud grabbed the lead on the very first play from scrimmage in the game. Alex Phegley faked a hand-off to Tyler Hubert and broke free up the middle of the field for a 64-yard touchdown run. Kevin Crafton added the extra kick for the 7-0 lead just 23 seconds into the game.
The Sparta offense looked to be in rhythm to start the game, moving the ball 61 yards on seven plays. However, a couple of penalties stalled the drive and an incomplete pass on fourth down turned the ball back over to Red Bud on their own 23 yard line.
The Musketeers increased their lead to 14-0 after an eight-play 77-yard scoring drive that was capped off by an 18-yard touchdown run by Phegley, his third of the game with 2:47 to play in the opening quarter. The drive was highlighted by several long runs by Phegley and Hubert and a 16-yard pass play from Phegley to Ben Huegle.
Sparta’s Darius Jackson started the next drive with a 25-yard run but the drive stalled after that and the Bulldogs were forced to punt after Jackson was sacked by Jason Greer on third down.
Red Bud put together its third consecutive scoring drive of the game to go up 21-0. The 74-yard drive lasted 11 plays and resulted in a seven-yard touchdown pass from Phegley to Kenny Cheek. Phegley tossed the ball high to the back of the end zone and Cheek skied above the Sparta defenders to bring down the catch.
On the drive, the Musketeers picked up five first downs. Hubert was a big part of the drive, picking up 46 yards on six carries.
Jackson put the team on his back for the next possession and willed them into the end zone. The senior Division I prospect, ran the ball three times for 13 yards and then completed three passes for 63 yards including a 32-yard touchdown pass to freshman Isaiah Michl. The extra point kick was blocked as Red Bud’s lead was reduced to 21-6 with 5:31 left to play in the first half.
On the next series, it was the Sparta defense that came up strong, forcing Red Bud to punt after just three plays.
Sparta was looking to cut the deficit to one touchdown by halftime but the drive was again stalled by the stellar defensive play of Greer, who came up with another sack to force Sparta to punt the ball.
At the break, Red Bud led 21-6.
The Bulldogs put together a strong drive to start the second half, picking up two first downs and moving the ball into Red Bud territory. However, the drive would end prematurely with a fumble that was recovered for Red Bud by Hubert.
Red Bud took full advantage of the turnover and scored four plays later on a 40-yard run by Phegley, his third rushing touchdown of the game. The kick failed and with 7:48 to play in the third quarter, Red Bud led 27-6.
Two penalties called against Sparta hampered the next possession and the Bulldogs were forced to punt  after just three plays. A blocked punt gave Red Bud the ball back at the Sparta 12-yard line.
On the next play, Phegley kept the ball on the option and found paydirt for the score. Crafton added the PAT for a 34-6 lead with 6:06 to play in the third.
A little less than four minutes later the Musketeers struck again. Phegley capped off a 60-yard five-play drive with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Cody Koch. Red Bud was facing a fourth down but when Phegley’s pass was in the air, a Sparta defender fell down allowing Koch to catch the ball in the end zone. Crafton added the PAT for a 40-6 lead with 2:28 left to play in the third.
Sparta’s woes continued on its next possession. Another sack by Greer put Sparta in a third and long and after an incomplete pass, the Bulldogs were forced to punt. However a high snap went over the head of the punter and gave the ball back to Red Bud at the Sparta 10-yard line.
Four plays later Crafton scored from nine yards out to give his team a 47-6 lead and a running clock.
Jackson accounted for 19 yards on the ground and 45 yards through the air on the next series for the final score of the game, a one-yard run by Jackson.
Phegley finished the game with 207 yards rushing on nine carries to go along his 9-of-11 passing for 132 yards. He finished with four rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns. Hubert added 101 yards rushing on 16 attempts, while Crafton had 60 yards on the ground.
Greer finished the game with four sacks, six solo tackles and nine assists.
“Greer is our toughest lineman and he is starting to come into his own,” said Lucht. “He was impressive tonight.”
With the win Red Bud improved to 6-3 on the season and automatically qualified for the state playoffs.
Jackson playing in his final high school game finished with over 1,000 yards rushing for the season.
“Sparta played tough especially in the first half,” added Lucht. “They just lack the depth and experience to compete for an entire game. They have a lot of good athletes and a lot of heart. I didn’t think we were real aggressive early but the kids stayed focus and put together a good second half to win the game comfortably.”
Sparta ends the season at 0-9.
“I think we improved each week of the season,” said Sparta coach Edmund Jones. “The effort was there, we just didn’t have the bodies to go through a tough varsity season with success. Building a program takes time but I think I have installed a good foundation. Sparta has a lot of young players so I am not at all displeased with the effort I have seen out of them. They all worked hard and I think the program is on the right track.”
Michl finished the game with four catches for 88 yards.