Red Bud’s quick strike offense was in full display Friday night in its 47-15 victory over Wesclin (1-1) in Cahokia Conference football action.
It took the Musketeer offense under two minutes to score four of its seven touchdowns, while another touchdown drive took just 2:01. Two of those quick scoring drives took under 40 seconds including the game’s first score, which was a one-play 35-yard touchdown pass from Jake Hoffman to Tyler Magruder.
“What sets this team apart from a lot of teams is our big play capability,” said Red Bud coach Dave Lucht. “Whether it’s the run or the pass, this team can score at anytime from anywhere on the field. Our challenge is to not lose focus when we are not getting the big plays. We have to respect our opponents and just do our job out there. This was a great game for us. We had some great performances and had to fight through some adversity.”
The Musketeers, now 2-0 on the season, are averaging 43.5 points a game.
Thanks to two early turnovers, the Red Bud jumped out to a quick start and an important 14-0 lead in the first four minutes of play.
Wesclin fumbled the ball on its second play from scrimmage and Red Bud’s Alex Phegley recovered the turnover.
Hoffman connected with Magruder on Red Bud’s first play of the game to give his team the lead for good. Kevin Crafton added the extra point and with 11:01 to play in the opening quarter, the Musketeers led 7-0.
On Wesclin’s next possession, the Warriors once again fumbled the ball on second down and Red Bud recovered.
It would have took the Musketeer offense just three plays to score again but a 25-yard touchdown run by Tyler Hubert was called back because of a penalty. The setback didn’t slow down the offense much, as Hubert broke off a 20-yard run on the next play that set up a 15-yard touchdown sprint by Hoffman. Crafton added the extra point and with 8:05 left in the first quarter, Red Bud led 14-0.
Wesclin’s second down fumbling problems continued on its next drive but this time the team was able to keep possession after putting the ball on the turf.
The Warriors, showing offensive life for the first time in the game, put together a seven-play 69-yard scoring drive that was capped off by a 26-yard touchdown run by senior Nate Schreiber. The extra point attempt failed and with 4:18 to play in the first quarter, Red Bud held a 14-6 advantage.
Penalties including one that negated a 60-yard pass play from Hoffman to Magruder slowed the Musketeer attack on their next drive and after four plays and one first, they were forced to punt for the first time in the game.
The Warriors started their next drive from their own nine-yard line. However, being pinned back by their own endzone didn’t slow down their running attack, senior quarterback Josh Campbell broke loose for a 50-yard gain to give his team a first down on the Red Bud 20 yard line.
The Musketeer defense tightened up and allowed five yards over the next three plays to force a fourth down and five yards to go.
Wesclin decided to go a head with the field goal attempt and Chase Smith through with the three points from 21 yards out to cut Red Bud’s advantage to 14-9, with 9:28 left to play in the second quarter.
The momentum completely switched over to Wesclin after the ensuing kickoff was fumbled and the Warriors regained possession with a chance to take the lead.
In what turned out to be the game changing moment, the Musketeer defense stopped Wesclin from getting a first down as they stopped Campbell short on a fourth down run.
Red Bud took over possession on their own 33 yard line and put together a 10-play drive that lasted just over four minutes. The drive was highlighted by several long runs including an 11-yard, a 17-yard and a 13-yard touchdown run when Hubert broke several tackles for the score. Crafton added the extra point and with 3:20 left in the first half, the Musketeers were up 21-9.
After forcing the Wesclin offense into a three-and-out, Magruder gave Red Bud great starting field position with a 51-yard punt return, as the Musketeers started their next drive at the Wesclin 37 yard line with 1:37 left in the half.
That was plenty of time for the explosive Red Bud offense. An 18-yard pass from Hoffman to Magruder set up a 10-yard touchdown run from Hoffman. Crafton added the extra point, as the Musketeers led 27-9 at the half.
Red Bud took total control of the game by marching down the field 70 yards on four plays that was capped off by a two-yards touchdown run by Hubert. The one minute and 50 second drive was highlighted by a 37-yard pass reception by Phegley, and 15 and 11-yard runs by Hubert. Crafton added the extra point and with 10:07 left in the third quarter, the Musketeers were ahead 34-9.
The Red Bud defense forced Wesclin into another three-and-out and the Musketeer took over from their own 17 yard line with 7:47 remaining in the third quarter. Hoffman led the his team to an 83-yard four-play drive that was highlighted by a 50-yard pass play from Hoffman to Magruder and capped off by a six-yard touchdown run by Hubert. The extra point attempt failed and with 6:01 left in the third quarter, Red Bud’s lead increased to 40-9.
The tough Musketeer defense held Wesclin to its third consecutive drive without a first down as the Warriors were pushed back five yards on three plays and again forced to punt.
Red Bud’s final scoring drive last just under fur minutes as the Musketeers moved down the field 69 yards on six plays that was capped off by a 10-yard touchdown run by Hubert, his fourth of the game. During the drive, Hoffman completed a 35-yard pass to Seth Heizer on third down to keep the offense moving.
The extra point by Crafton was successful and with 35 seconds left in the third quarter, Red Bud led 47-9.
Wesclin would round out the game’s scoring late in the fourth quarter as Jake Neely raced past the Musketeer defense for a 98-yard touchdown run.
“The quick start was what we were looking for but we got into a lull after that,” said Lucht. “Wesclin is an athletic scrappy team. They fought hard and never quit. They had a chance to take the lead but scoring those two touchdown late in the first half was real big for us.”
Red Bud picked up 270 yards rushing on 36 carries and 201 yards through the air for  471 yards of total offense.
Hubert led the Musketeers with 140 yards on the ground while Hoffman ran the ball eight times for 64 yards and Crafton had eight carries for 52 yards.
Hoffman completed 7-of-11 passes for 201 yards. Magruder was his favorite receiver as he pulled down five catches for 125 yards.
Phegley led the Red Bud defense with seven tackles and one assist while Crafton had five tackles and two assists.
Red Bud looks to stay perfect on the year as the team travels to take on a much improved Carlyle (0-2) team Friday night.