Healthy Byquist gives Blue Devils’ dynamic offense another gear in pursuit of deep playoff run

QUINCY — At first, Adon Byquist didn’t worry much about the severity of his injury.

In fact, no one seemed overly concerned.

The Quincy High School football team’s starting wingback went to the sideline during the season opener against Quincy Notre Dame last August with pain in his right knee. He said, at the time, the pain “wasn’t that bad,” and the training staff thought he possibly tweaked something.

They wrapped his knee and cleared him to return if needed or wanted.

“I didn’t play much because I still felt like I wasn’t full-go on my knee,” Byquist said.

Yet, Byquist left Advance Physical Therapy Field following the Blue Devils’ 21-13 victory expecting to play the following week against Alton.

Then, he tried to get out of bed the next morning.

“I was like, ‘Oh, man, something is wrong with my knee,” Byquist said. “That’s when we got looked at.”

Byquist suffered a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament, and instantaneously, his junior season was over. He was able to rehabilitate the injury without surgery, which required a few months of physical therapy, plenty of rest and rebuilding the muscle in the leg.

Nearly a year later, the pain is gone, the knee reacts naturally and Byquist is ready to return to an explosive offensive lineup that has expectations soaring. The Blue Devils went 8-3 last fall, won a playoff game for the second time in program history and return a majority of starters from that squad.

Among the returnees are record-setting junior quarterback Bradyn Little, a 1,000-yard rusher in junior tailback Jeraius Rice and four offensive linemen, including Quincy University commit Chris Flachs. Add Byquist, who started at quarterback as a sophomore and led the Western Big 6 Conference with 1,333 yards of total offense during the 2021 season, and a dynamic offense gains another gear.

“I’m feeling great,” Byquist said. “I haven’t had problems with my knee for a couple months. I’m back doing everything normal as if I was 100 percent. It just feels great.”

So is he 100-percent healthy?

“Yes,” Byquist said. “Without question.”

That’s mentally as much as it is physically.

“A lot of it is mental because it’s time away from the game,” Byquist said. “You kind of lose what that is. It’s been a while since I played at Flinn (Stadium). It’s been since my sophomore year. That was the last time I played at home. So a lot of this is mental and it’s tough. Being out there in a game is a lot different than practice. I’ve had a lot of practice and a lot of watching practice.

“Now that you’re out there, it’s a lot different and a lot faster. Transitioning is a challenge mentally.”

But he considers himself a better football player, a better teammate and a better contributor because of the injury.

“It humbles you as a person,” Byquist said. “But you also see how much you need everybody on the team to win. You sit there on the sideline and you can see people out there putting their best effort. You realize you need everybody on the team to do their part to win. You don’t want to miss that again.”

Nor does he want to miss being part of an electric offense.

Little threw for single-season school records of 2,773 yards and 24 touchdowns, spreading the wealth to a variety of wide receivers. The only one in that group who graduated is Gregory Quince, but Little will have seniors Jack Mettemeyer and Caden Johannessen and junior Tykell Hammers at his disposal.

Then there’s Rice and Byquist, who are capable of breaking a big play on any touch.

“Everybody on the field is a weapon for us,” Little said.

That’s certainly true of a healthy Byquist, no matter what position he plays.

“My role is to play wherever Coach needs me to play so we can win games,” Byquist said. “That’s our goal. We want a state championship. We want to win games. Whatever Coach does with me, with my ability to play multiple positions, that’s what we’ll do.”

Byquist opened the 2021 season at quarterback, shared some snaps with Little and nearly led the Blue Devils to the playoffs. They finished 4-5 with a sophomore-laden lineup. He completed 71 of 162 passes for 1,182 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 429 yards and a team-leading nine touchdowns.

It’s his versatility, athleticism and playmaking ability that allowed QHS coach Rick Little to move him to wingback.

“I trust Coach Little a lot,” Byquist said. “I’m very close with him. I know what he’s doing is what’s best for the team. I put my trust in Coach and our team is great now. Bradyn Little is a great QB. I’d rather have both of us on the field instead of just one. I’m not going to complain. I just want Quincy to win a state championship.”

And he wants to be a significant part of it. The pursuit of such lofty goals begins August 25 at Flinn Stadium against Quincy Notre Dame.

“I’m very, very anxious for that game,” Byquist said. “Not only am I coming back, but our team is going to be so good. We’re just ready to go out there and play ball. To be a part of this team, I feel back. It feels great to be back. I think Quincy football is going to do great things.”