Blue Devils still have postseason hopes after dropping Homecoming game to Galesburg

QUINCY — Unfortunately, the highlight of Quincy High’s homecoming football game came during the break between the third and fourth quarters. That’s when the crowd provided a much-needed lift, accompanying the recording of Neil Diamond’s classic “Sweet Caroline” that was booming from the sound system.

Other than that, however, the highlights were few and far between on a rainy Friday night at Flinn Stadium. Galesburg turned back the Blue Devils 35-9 in a Western Big 6 foray, securing control of the game late in the first half and then dominating most of the final two periods.

“Our goal is to still get into the postseason,” said Quincy coach Rick Little, whose club dropped to 2-3, 1-2 in conference play.

The Blue Devils have to win at least three of their final four games to earn a postseason berth. Galesburg faces the same task with an identical 2-3 record. The Silver Streaks are 2-1 in WB6 play.

“I think we could feel the game slipping away late in the first half,” Little said. “Our defense was on the field a long time.”

Over the game’s final 26 minutes, Galesburg controlled the momentum by running 50 of the game’s final 74 plays, including 31 of 37 during one stretch. The Silver Streaks held a 17-1 edge in rushing first downs. Galesburg’s ground-pounding offense, anchored by running backs Alex Egipciao, Cameron Aguirre and Amarie Richardson, repeatedly ate up the clock and minimized any Quincy hopes for a victory. 

Egipciao rushed for 113 yards — the third time he has reached the 100-yard mark this season — in less than two quarters before leaving with an injury late in the first half. His absence was hardly missed. Aguirre (87) and Richardson (79) combined for another 166 yards as Galesburg outrushed the Blue Devils 296-64.

Shammy Gay supplied 59 yards of Quincy’s total with a third-quarter burst that gave the Blue Devils a first-and-goal at the Galesburg 5-yard line. Quincy was still within striking distance at the time, trailing 21-9, but three plays later, Aguirre returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown to all but seal the outcome.

“That interception was a huge flip of the momentum,” Little said.

That was also one of three possessions Quincy failed to capitalize on after moving deep into Galesburg territory.

“I’m not into moral victories, but we are playing a lot of young guys,” Little said. “This is a chore, but we’re excited about the future. We’re heading to where we need to be.”

Quincy’s lone touchdown came on a 14-yard pass late in the first quarter from Adon Byquist to Jack Mettemeyer. Mettemeyer’s touchdown catch was his team-best fourth of the season. Twelve of Quincy’s 20 offensive touchdowns have come via the pass.

The Blue Devils’ other points were the result of a 23-yard Justin Beaver field goal midway through the second period that have Quincy a 9-7 advantage, but a 5-yard run by Richardson and 4-yard slam from Aguirre during the final two minutes of the first half pushed Galesburg ahead 21-9 lead at intermission.

Galesburg had scored midway through the first quarter on a 5-yard pass from Tristan Legate to Hunter DeVena. Aguirre’s interception return, coupled with a 3-yard touchdown run, accounted for the Silver Streaks’ second-half scoring.

Byquist and Bradyn Little split quarterback duties for Quincy, each playing a half. They combined to complete 10 of 26 throws for 107 net yards.

Galesburg nearly doubled Quincy in total offense 335-171. The nine points scored by the Blue Devils were their fewest of the season.