Musketeers look to make 3rd straight playoff appearance

Despite losing some key players to graduation, the Red Bud High School Musketeers in 2018 look to make a return to the playoff for the third straight year.

Head coach David Lucht said the team's goals remain the same this year: Play solid fundamental football, win games and have a good time doing it.

"The kids have shown their dedication by their preparation in the off season," Lucht Sid. "We have had a great first two weeks of practice and look to come together and get things started.

Returning for the Musketeers on offense are running backs Seth Bass and Austin Melliere, linemen Trenton Fernandez, Matt Wiegard and Brad Mertz, and wide receivers Jack Drennan and Gage Baldwin. For the defense, Mertz, Fernandez and Wiegard return as lineman, Bass, Frank Ford and Baldwin are at linebacker, Drennan and Melliere are in the secondary.

Players starting or competing for positions include QB Jayden Birkner, linemen Bryce Amann, Pierce Hiezer and Gunner Dickenson, wide receiver/tight end Parker Van Dorn, AJ Trujillo, Chase Ward and Austin Dillow. Starting or competing for defense spots are linemen Derek Wieser and Hunter Sauer, linebackers Gavin Roche-Voss, AJ Trujillo and Aaron Nicholson, with Andrew Luthy and Nathan Theis as defensive backs.

"Strength this season looks to be the depth of our offensive and defensive line," Hucht said. "We have several returning lineman along with a number of capable replacements. This should hopefully pave the way for our running backs and new quarterback."

Hucht still sees a need to improve on depth at skill positions and experience in the inside linebacker core.

"With projected starting linebacker Frank Ford out for the beginning of the season with an injury we will have very little varsity experience at the varsity level up the middle," he said,

"Overall, we are looking forward to a successful season."