Red Bud head football coach Dave Lucht said it best about his team’s 44-0 loss to Benton in the first round of the IHSA 3A state playoffs Saturday.
“Our 3A playoff greeting was not pleasant,” said Lucht.
After having success the past several years in the 2A playoffs including going farther than any other Randolph County team four years ago, the Musketeers found themselves as the third smallest school, enrollment-wise, in the 3A playoffs this year.
“We knew Benton was going to be bigger and more physical,” said Lucht. “Early in the game we were in position to make plays. We just couldn’t convert on those plays. Then Benton started to roll and they couldn’t be stopped. They outplayed us there’s no doubt about that.”
Benton racked up 451 yards of total offense and 29 first downs in the win, while holding the usually potent Red Bud offense to 57 total yards including just 17 on the ground and only two first downs.
Benton grabbed the momentum with the opening drive of the game, a 70-yard 13-play drive that resulted in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Leffler to Mason Childers.
The Rangers would go on to score another touchdown in the first quarter and nine points in the second quarter off a safety and an 11-yard touchdown run by Leffler for a 23-0 lead at the half.
Benton put the game out of reach in the second half scoring 14 points in the third and seven in the fourth for the 44-point win.
“We just didn’t make enough plays in the first half to pick up any momentum and in a road playoff game, you need momentum,” said Lucht.
The Musketeers finish the season with a 6-4 record, while Benton improved to 8-2 and will face Mt. Carmel (9-1) Saturday.