Blue Devils’ miscues ruin any chance to sustain early momentum against Golden Warriors

STERLING, Ill. — A near-perfect start for the Quincy High School football team offered hope of beating Sterling for the first time as Western Big 6 Conference counterparts.

A series of miscues dashed all hope.

The Golden Warriors answered the Blue Devils’ game-opening touchdown drive by scoring 44 straight points and securing a 50-18 victory Friday night in WB6 play at Roscoe Eades Stadium. It is Sterling’s third straight victory against Quincy.

The Blue Devils (2-4, 1-3 WB6) opened the game with a seven-play, 74-yard drive. Sophomore quarterback Adon Byquist hit Gregory Quince for a 25-yard pickup on the first play and capped the drive with a 33-yard scoring toss to Peyton Weech. A missed extra point left the Blue Devils head 6-0.

Sterling (5-1, 4-0 WB6) responded with a seven-play, 72-yard drive with Antonio Tablante scoring on a 7-yard run for a 7-6 lead. Quince returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown, which was negated by a holding penalty. It was one of 10 penalties called against the Blue Devils and 22 penalties in the game.

Despite reaching midfield on the resulting drive, the Blue Devils lost a fumble which the Golden Warriors turned into another touchdown. Quincy lost three fumbles and threw one interception, with three of the four leading to points for Sterling.

The Blue Devils trailed 14-6 early in the second quarter when a poor punt by the Golden Warriors led to quality field position. Quincy managed to set up first and goal at the 1-yard line following a Byquist 18-yard run. However, a high snap on the next play led to a backward movement and a 29-yard field goal attempt which was missed.

Sterling scored eight plays later on Drew Kested’s 5-yard run and all momentum was gone.

Byquist completed 8 of 22 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown, while Quince caught five passes for 91 yards. Shammy Gay led the ground game with 64 yards on six carries, and Weech added a 22-yard scoring run to his 33-yard TD reception.

Overall, though, the Blue Devils allowed 437 total yards with 249 on the ground.