Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
August 28, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — Ben Kasparie needed just 17 seconds to put plans into motion to erase 37 years of longing. On the opening kickoff of Friday night’s season-opening crosstown showdown at Flinn Stadium, the Quincy Notre Dame senior glanced to his left after fielding the kick and thought there was a seam opening toward the sideline.…
Read Full Article August 27, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
CAMP POINT, Ill. — The luxury of having an all-state running back to hand the ball to in tough situations is gone. For now. Central football coach Brad Dixon believes his stable of capable backs — the Panthers may employ six or seven guys to run the ball in a given game — will create…
Read Full Article August 27, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The most asked question of the past two weeks still doesn’t have an answer. Who is the starting quarterback? Both Quincy High School football coach Rick Little and Quincy Notre Dame coach Jack Cornell have been steely in how they’ve addressed it. Even days before Friday night’s season opener at Flinn Stadium, neither…
Read Full Article August 27, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
Friday’s schedule Quincy Notre Dame at Quincy High School, 7 p.m. WTAD 930 AM, WGEM 1440 AM, WGEM TV Hannibal at Jefferson City Helias, 7 p.m. KICK 97.9 FM Carrollton at Central, 7 p.m. Central Illinois Sports on YouTube.com Pittsfield at Pleasant Plains, 7 p.m. Central Illinois Sports on YouTube.com Hallsville at Palmyra, 7 p.m.…
Read Full Article August 27, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
Girls Volleyball At The Pit, Quincy Notre Dame Quincy Notre Dame beat West Hancock 25-13, 25-18. Abbey Schreacke led the Raiders with eight kills and three aces, Emma Hoing had five kills and Maggie Drew dished out 25 assists. The Raiders had eight aces as a team. QND is now 2-0. Girls Golf At Gold…
Read Full Article August 27, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The pieces are in place for the Hannibal football team to harbor legitimate championship dreams. A skilled quarterback with a complete grasp of the offense. An NCAA Division I talent who can play a variety of positions. A bookend left tackle. A dynamic defensive end. A bulldog middle linebacker. A make-plays-everywhere safety. …
Read Full Article August 26, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The late August heat wave driving temperatures into the mid-90s and sending heat indexes to 105 degrees or higher this week forced Monroe City football coach David Kirby to alter the practice schedule. It might have been for the best. The Panthers chose to practice in the evening, essentially simulating a…
Read Full Article August 26, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame football team’s state semifinal berth in 2019 led to an offseason of believing a state championship was within reach if not the Raiders’ destiny. “And then COVID,” linebacker Elliott Maas said. The pandemic led to the 2020 fall season morphing into a six-game spring season with no playoffs. Those…
Read Full Article August 26, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — Rick Little isn’t kidding when he says this Quincy High School football team is unlike any he’s coached over the past 15 seasons. There will be only three seniors starting on offense Friday night when the Blue Devils open their season at Flinn Stadium against Quincy Notre Dame — the first crosstown showdown…
Read Full Article August 26, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
Girls Volleyball At The Pit, Quincy Notre Dame Quincy Notre Dame defeated Unity 25-17, 25-21. Junior middle Abbey Schreacke led the Raiders with 11 kills, two blocks and three aces. Senior setter Maggie Drew had 27 assists, and junior right side Laela Hernandez-Jones had six kills and nine digs. Men’s Soccer At Ellison Poulton Stadium,…
Read Full Article August 26, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
Here are the preseason state rankings of Illinois high school football teams in each class, according to an Associated Press panel of sportswriters: Class 8A School, points 1. Gurnee Warren (6) 78 2. Lincoln-Way East (2) 73 3. Chicago Marist 54 4. Maine South 50 5. Hinsdale Central 47 6. Naperville Neuqua Valley 30 7.…
Read Full Article August 26, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — A strong cast of returnees is leading to respect for the Quincy University men’s soccer team from the Great Lakes Valley Conference coaches. The way the QU women’s soccer team rebounded last spring is making the league’s coaches take note, too. In a preseason poll of the GLVC coaches, the QU men tied…
Read Full Article August 25, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The Quincy Gems infield proved to be as good as any in the Prospect League. Three of the four infield positions on the league’s West Conference all-star team were Gems as first baseman Jake Skrine, shortstop Gino D’Alessio and third baseman Matt Schark earned postseason accolades. Skrine, a junior from Indiana University, finished…
Read Full Article August 25, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The way Carter Venvertloh handled an off-the-cuff question is a sign the Quincy High School junior midfielder and his teammates can handle anything else thrown their way. A 10-year-old sports fan hanging out at one of the Blue Devils’ practices during the preseason had the chance to interact with the players following a…
Read Full Article August 25, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
Boys Soccer At Beardstown, Ill. Quincy Notre Dame 3, Beardstown 0: The Raiders scored three second-half goals to improve to 2-0. Jakob Vincent scored the first goal before Cayge Hughes made it 2-0 by curling in a corner kick. Ben Frericks finished the scoring with a blast from 18 yards out. Tanner Anderson and Frericks…
Read Full Article August 25, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
Neither Mariano Rivera nor Trevor Hoffman’s mark on baseball can ever be erased. And I’m not talking about their save totals. The Hall of Fame closers — Rivera holds the MLB record with 652 saves, while Hoffman is second with 601 saves — became as recognizable for their entrance music as they were for their…
Read Full Article August 24, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
EWING, Mo. — Despite the speed, efficiency and explosiveness the Highland football team showcased on offense last season, defense determined the Cougars’ fate. A 52-50 loss to Clark County in the district opener is no better example. “We have to get guys in the right positions to make plays,” Highland coach Dave Degarmo said. “That’s…
Read Full Article August 24, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team’s spot in the Chicagoland Soccer’s state poll isn’t simply a nod to the program’s reputation and tradition. It’s respect for the season the Raiders enjoyed in the spring and the depth of the roster that returns. QND is ranked 12th, one of only two downstate teams…
Read Full Article August 24, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
MENDON, Ill. — The blowback from Community Unit School District No. 4’s decision to remain mask optional is impacting the district’s athletic programs. The Unity girls volleyball team was scheduled to play its season opener Tuesday at home against Griggsville-Perry, but because of CUSD No. 4’s mask policy, Griggsville-Perry will not play the match. Illinois…
Read Full Article August 24, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The atmosphere appeals to Courtney Kvitle’s competitive nature. She hopes it brings out the best in the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball players, too. Since the Raiders first entered the gym August 9 to begin preparing for Wednesday’s season opener in Mendon against Unity, Kvitle has seen nothing but relentless effort and spirited play,…
Read Full Article August 23, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
Boys Soccer At Peoria Notre Dame High School Quincy Notre Dame 4, Peoria Notre Dame 2: After surrendering a two-goal halftime lead, the Raiders rebound with two goals in the final 25 minutes to win their season opener. Quinton Hankins scored the game-winning goal off a Brock Evans corner kick. Tanner Anderson added a penalty…
Read Full Article August 23, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The return to Ottawa brought the Quincy High School girls tennis program some normalcy. The rest of the schedule hopefully will, too. With a vast number of underclassmen, the Blue Devils need the challenges their traditional schedule provides, starting with last Friday’s Night Light Invitational at Ottawa. The Blue Devils finished fourth as…
Read Full Article August 22, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
Women’s Volleyball At the UW Sports Factory, Rockford, Ill. John Wood Community College capped its weekend with a pair of victories to improve to 5-1. The Trail Blazers beat Morton 25-15, 25-15, 25-18 and upended South Suburban 25-20, 25-22, 20-25, 25-16. Paige Knuffman powered the JWCC attack with 23 kills, six blocks and 16 digs…
Read Full Article August 21, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — Hope does more than float. It evaporates if you’re not careful. The Quincy High School golfers sensed that happening as the opening holes of Saturday’s 72nd Quincy Invitational proved treacherous. Yet, their experience, resolve and sticktoitiveness allowed the Blue Devils to shrug off the struggles and make a bid for a trophy. They…
Read Full Article August 21, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
Girls Golf Alton Marquette Blastoff Invite at Spencer T. Olin Golf Course Quincy Notre Dame finished 10th in the 18-team event with a 383. Alton Marquette won the team title with a 313. QND’s Hana Knuffman finished 12th individually with an 85. Blair Eftink shot a 92. Women’s Volleyball At the UW Sports Factory, Rockford,…
Read Full Article August 21, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
It’s beginning to feel a lot like football season, everywhere we go. The Pirates are first and 10, the Panthers are popping again and the coaches are yelling go, go, go. It’s beginning to feel a lot like football season, kids are back in school. And the prettiest sight you’ll see is a running back…
Read Full Article August 20, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The inductees in the inaugural class of the Saukee Hall of Fame were announced Friday with a nod to the history that has made Pittsfield High School athletics special for so many decades. The class features one team, two athletes, one coach and a handful of others whose impact on the school…
Read Full Article August 20, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
Women’s Volleyball At UW Sports Factory, Rockford, Ill. John Wood Community College splits two matches, losing to Southeastern (Iowa) Community College 25-16, 16-25, 25-20, 25-20 and beating Elgin (Ill.) Community College 25-16, 25-16, 25-9. Paige Knuffman led the Trail Blazers 21 kills, nine digs and three solo blocks in the two matches combined. Isadora Gasparini…
Read Full Article August 20, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
Girls Tennis Quincy Notre Dame 9, Lincoln 0 The Raiders lost just 10 games overall, including just one in the three doubles matches. Lia Quintero won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 singles, while Addi Zanger was the only QND player not to lose a game, winning 6-0, 6-0 at No. 6 singles. Girls Golf At…
Read Full Article August 19, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
Muddy River Sports editor Matt Schuckman and Quincy Notre Dame athletic director Bill Connell reunite on the tailgate of Schuckman’s pickup truck to reminisce about the origins of the post-practice tailgate interviews and discuss everything from Connell’s football coaching career to the impact COVID had on athletics over the past year to his son battling…
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