Turnovers prove costly as QU football team falters in season finale, finishes last in GLVC standings

QUINCY — Gary Bass didn’t waste time lamenting a season-ending loss. He had other plans in mind.

“I’m going to roll up my sleeves and get to work,” the Quincy University football coach said.

Recruiting. Fund-raising. Facility improvements.

All have to be addressed immediately if the Hawks want to rebound from Saturday’s 17-7 Great Lakes Valley Conference loss to William Jewell at QU Stadium that saddled them with a 4-7 overall record and 1-5 league record.

It is the first time since the GLVC introduced football as a championship sport in 2012 the Hawks have finished last in the league standings.

Injuries certainly played a factor. The Hawks went into Saturday’s game with two starting offensive linemen, including NFL prospect B.J. Wilson, on the shelf and were using a third-string center by the end of the game. Peyten Chappel, the middle linebacker who became the program’s all-time leading tackler Saturday, played the final three weeks with a cast on his right hand and wrist.

Bass said as many as 16 players didn’t play at all or were injured during Saturday’s game.

Yet, the Hawks were able to move the ball into the Cardinals’ territory six times, run 80 plays, outgain the Cardinals by 20 yards in total offense and pile up 24 first downs compared to 15 for William Jewell. But four drives ended in turnovers, which crippled the Hawks’ attack.

“We can’t shoot ourselves in the foot and expect to win,” Bass said. “We have to fix that.”

The Hawks fell behind in the first quarter when quarterback Tionne Harris fumbled at the Cardinals’ 27-yard line and William Jewell’s Sean Mitchell returned it 73 yards for a touchdown and 7-0 lead. A 20-yard touchdown reception by Jesse Thomas made it a 14-0 lead for the Cardinals early in the second half.

Quincy cut the deficit in half on Tremayne Lee’s 9-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter, but three of the Hawks’ five possessions that followed ended with a turnover.

Harris completed 24 of 45 passes for 248 yards with two interceptions. The Hawks finished with just 4 yards rushing on 35 carries, having lost 88 yards on the ground. Jalen Lawrence led the Hawks with 10 catches for 123 yards.