Check another historic mark off QHS football team’s list of accomplishments

QUINCY — Making history wasn’t the goal. Playing better football was.

During the 2021 spring season — the 2020 fall prep season was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic — Quincy High School went 1-5. A 3-6 campaign followed that fall, but the returnees truly believed better days lie ahead.

“Last year, we kind of got in the groove of things,” senior offensive lineman Chris Flachs said.

That spilled over to the offseason when the Blue Devils began believing history could be made and openly talking about it for the first time.

“In the summer, we came in and said this is our year,” Flachs said. “We kept telling each other we’re going to do what it takes and we have what it takes. We’re going to keep overachieving and keep this program making steps in the right direction.”

As the Blue Devils do, they keep checking off historic achievements.

Saturday was another. Quincy throttled West Chicago in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs, winning 44-14 at Flinn Stadium for the first home postseason victory in program history. The Blue Devils had been 0-4 in home playoff games.

“Anytime you can get a first of anything it feels special,” junior quarterback Bradyn Little said.

The Blue Devils realize it’s significant.

“We made a name for ourselves,” junior wide receiver Tykell Hammers said. “There have been some great names come through here, like Jirehl Brock and Deven Smith. To win and do something they never did, it makes our name even bigger.”

So far this season, the Blue Devils won the Western Big 6 Conference title for the first time since 2016 and the sixth time in program history. They went 9-0 in the regular season, the first undefeated season since 1935 and second in school history. Now, they’ve become the first team to win 10 games in a season, to go with the playoff success.

The historic run may not be done.

Quincy (10-0) travels to Wheaton North (7-3) next weekend for a second-round matchup. The Blue Devils have never won a second-round game.

“All the goals this group set for itself have been significant,” QHS coach Rick Little said. “So this is special. But not all the goals have been reached.”