Playoff primer: QND travels to Maroa-Forsyth for Class 2A state quarterfinal

QUINCY — Here is a closer look at the Quincy Notre Dame football team’s matchup with Maroa-Forsyth:

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

What: Class 2A state quarterfinal

Where: Walter Boyd Field, Maroa-Forsyth High School

Records: Quincy Notre Dame — 10-1 (5-0, first in Central State Eight Conference West Division). Maroa-Forsyth — 10-1 (7-1, second in Sangamo Conference).

Radio/livestream: NFHS Network

Scouting the Raiders: Defense has been this team’s backbone. The Raiders have allowed nine or fewer points seven times this season and have given up 125 points total, 40 of which came in the season-opening loss to Quincy High School. QND has outscored its two postseason opponents 83-13.

“I really like the way our guys have been preparing,” QND coach Jack Cornell said. “I like the swagger that we’ve been playing with. I like the fun we’ve been having and the energy. Our guys really enjoy being around each other and they are not taking things for granted.”

The willingness to share the workload and the credit has made the Raiders versatile and dangerous.

Senior running back Ivan Hun has rushed for 1,047 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Oliver Triplett has churned out 653 yards and six touchdowns. Junior quarterback Hunter Schuckman has thrown for 899 yards and 10 scores, while senior Wyatt Mueller has thrown for 266 yards and five touchdowns, rushed for 374 yards and seven touchdowns and caught three passes for 39 yards.

Gavin Doellman has 31 catches for 411 yards and five touchdowns.

“Our goal has been to be process driven,” Cornell said. “You take one day at a time and one goal at a time.”

Scouting the Trojans: Maroa-Forsyth has rebounded from a Week 8 loss to Williamsville that cost the Trojans the Sangamo Conference championship and the No. 1 ranking in the Class 2A state poll. The Trojans have won three straight games, allowing just seven points to Chester in last week’s second-round playoff victory.

Junior quarterback Ryne Sheppard has thrown 2,846 yards with 40 touchdowns and six interceptions. His favorite target is senior tight end Grant Smith, who has committed to the University of Illinois and has caught 44 passes for 842 and 17 touchdowns.

Mitch Williams, a 6-foot-1, 165-pound senior, has caught 47 passes for 814 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Zach Smith, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound junior, leads the Trojans with 59 catches for 956 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Senior defensive end Kooper Mann has 91 tackles and seven tackles for loss.

“It’s a really good, tradition-rich football program,” Cornell said. “I’ve always been a fan of the football culture they have over there and their following. We know we’re going to get their best shot and they are going to have the whole town of Maroa and Forsyth there backing them.”