RED BUD: Musketeers seek return to winning ways

RED BUD -- Red Bud won as many games in the 2007 state playoffs as it did all of last season -- two.

That wasn't why head coach Dave Lucht missed much of last season while being hospitalized for ulcerative colitis, but the 2-7 record could have been a contributing factor.

Expectations were high coming off the Musketeers' first two playoff wins in school history. But 2008 started slowly and the promise of a 2-1 start melted in the blinding heat of six consecutive losses.

"My body got so out of whack and run down that it couldn't recover," said Lucht, who spent six days in the hospital and handed many of the day-to-day coaching duties to offensive coordinator Ben Schwartzkopf and his staff after the fourth game. "We knew we weren't going to make a deep playoff run, but we sure wanted those five wins to get in. It was very disappointing."

Lucht is healthy again and his team returns some experienced weapons that could help improve on a 1-5 Cahokia Conference mark. The Musketeers open with a 7 p.m. game today at Pinckneyville.

A big offensive line, the return of junior Jake Hoffman at quarterback and a potentially strong sophomore group creates some optimism.

"They look a lot like they did two years ago: they're all about 6 feet tall and from 210 to 240 pounds," Lucht said. "It's a nice group of offensive linemen."

Hoffman (6-1, 180), the younger brother of former Red Bud star signal caller Bobby Hoffman, threw for 1,228 yards and 10 touchdowns last fall as a sophomore. He also tossed 10 interceptions, ran for 287 yards and scored six touchdowns.

"I thought he did a good job and he's grown up a lot this year," Lucht said. "I know he can throw it as well as his brother; the running part we'll have to wait him see."

In his final game last season, a 36-13 loss to Sparta, Hoffman accounted for seven turnovers. Five of those came on interceptions, definitely leaving a bad taste in his mouth during the long offseason.

"We keep reminding him about it now because he can laugh about it," Lucht said. "He wasn't too happy about it then. Everywhere we went this summer, people noticed him and very few times did a ball not hit a receiver.

"He's been running the ball better in practice. If our line makes good reads, he could be fun to watch."

Red Bud's spread option attack can turn running backs into receivers in a hurry. The running game was a disappointment last season with no back over 290 yards.

The biggest threats are senior Mitchel Cleveland (10 catches, 93 yards, two TDs), junior Tyler Magruder and impressive sophomore Tyler Hubert.

Magruder, also a dangerous return man, battled back from a knee injury and finished the season.

"Hubert could be a two-way starter for us," Lucht said. "He's a fast, strong kid and I think he'll be someone to watch."

Lucht said Cleveland will miss the first game because of disciplinary reasons.

Among the top receivers are junior Tyler Henry and tight end Seth Heizer.

Center Carl Borja (6-2, 275) and guards Richard Burgess (5-10, 190) and Cody Murray return on the offensive line. Battling for tackle spots are junior Bubba Donjon (6-2, 185), senior John Borja and sophomore Cameron Mueth (5-10, 255).

"We can move some guys around, it looks pretty solid," Lucht said.

Cleveland (43 tackles, five sacks, two interceptions) returns in the defensive backfield and should help anchor the unit along with Magruder.

Donjon (12 tackles) and sophomore Jason Greer are mainstays on the defensive line, but there are a lot of questions to be answered at linebacker.

The only returning linebacker with experience is Cody Murray. Hoffman is also a contender for a starting spot along with Heizer, Hubert and sophomore Ben Huegle.

The young players could help turn things around. Red Bud's freshmen and sophomores lost only three games combined in 2008.