Hawks embark on new season searching for continued development and success

QUINCY — The Quincy University football team opens its season Saturday as Midwestern State makes the 10-hour trip from Wichita Falls, Texas, to QU Stadium for an NCAA Division II matchup.

The outcome will give Hawks coach Gary Bass and his staff a barometer for where the program sits and how far it has come. Five years ago, when Bass was named interim coach following Tom Pajic’s departure, the Hawks traveled to Midwestern State and suffered a 53-6 loss.

The Mustangs are receiving votes in the national poll after having a run of 19 consecutive winning seasons snapped with a 5-6 record in 2019. Midwestern State went 1-2 in its three spring games in the truncated pandemic season.

So just how far have the Hawks come? Bass believes there have been significant strides made in terms of depth, talent and ability.

In his three full seasons as head coach, QU went 3-8 in 2017, 4-7 in 2018 and 5-6 in 2019. Two losses in the spring with a battered lineup didn’t reveal much, so this will be the first true sign whether the Hawks are ready to take another step forward.

Here are four things to watch which will determine continued development:

• Quarterback play. Tionne Harris has won the starting job and gets the chance to show his personal growth. Harris was plugged in as the starter as a true freshman in 2018 and showcased raw athleticism and speed, but he struggled in the passing game. He completed 50.4 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and five interceptions in five games while averaging 10.6 yards per completion. Now, he has experience under his belt and a better grasp of the offense. If he can connect with his receivers, better days are ahead.

• Stable of running backs. Jalen Griffin returns after rushing for 692 yards and eight touchdowns — both team highs — in 2019 as a redshirt freshman. Taylor Temple had a breakout effort with 105 yards against McKendree in the spring. Now add Tremayne Lee, a transfer from Southern Illinois, to the mix and the running back room is a bona fide asset.

• Bookends up front. The fact the Hawks can stack up 6-foot-7, 315-pound tackle B.J. Wilson on one side and 6-5, 280-pound Max Snell on the other should make pass protection easier and running lanes more available. Wilson was a first-team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference pick in the spring and Snell earned honorable mention.

• Defensively, the Hawks are experienced at linebacker, employ a variety of athletes in the secondary and must get pressure up front. The success of the defensive line will dictate the overall success of the defense. Junior Marcel Scott, junior Will Henegar and redshirt freshman Collin Olla-Chatman are a good starting point when looking to get pressure on an opposing quarterback. They have to be physical and quick to give the Hawks an edge.