QHS football team capitalizes on Galesburg’s miscues to inch closer to playoff contention

GALESBURG, Ill. — The Quincy High School football team took advantage of Galesburg’s mistakes Friday night.

It resulted in a 42-14 victory in Western Big 6 Conference action at Van Dyke Field.

“It’s a good victory and another lap in our marathon,” Quincy coach Rick Little said. 

The Blue Devils (4-1, 2-1 WB6) headed into the game riding the strength of their passing game, which is commanded by sophomore quarterback Bradyn Little. However, it was Quincy’s ground attack that got the job done against Galesburg (1-4, 0-3 WB6).

Mother Nature played a part in that as it rained throughout much of the affair.

“The ball started getting heavy and it was tough for guys to catch the ball,” Rick Little said. “At the end of the day, we want to be balanced and we want to be a team that can win these types of games when the conditions aren’t ideal.

“We strive for perfection, and we were able to overcome some things.”

A play after Streaks junior quarterback Gino Williams lost a fumble, Blue Devils senior Brian Douglas scampered into the end zone from 7 yards out to put Quincy up 7-0 with 6:51 left in the first quarter.

Galesburg junior Sam Satisky mishandled a snap on a punt attempt on the Streaks’ second offensive possession, and three plays later, Douglas had a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Blue Devils a 14-0 lead.

Galesburg senior Nolan Carl had a 97-yard interception return for a score with 30.8 seconds left in the second quarter, and the Silver Streaks trailed 14-7.

The Blue Devils ran away from the Streaks in the final 24 minutes. 

Douglas had another 1-yard scoring run with nine minutes left in the third quarter for a 21-7 Quincy lead. Douglas scored from 8 yards out with 3:55 left in the third to put the Blue Devils on top 28-7.

An 85-yard interception return for a touchdown by sophomore Jeraius Rice gave Quincy a 35-7 advantage with 11:13 remaining. Rice added a 54-yard touchdown scamper to give the Blue Devils a 42-7 lead with six minutes to play.

Galesburg’s other touchdown came with 2:26 left when Williams rushed for 28 yards.

Up next for Quincy is a home contest against Sterling (4-1, 3-0 WB6). The Golden Warriors blanked Geneseo 40-0 Friday night.

“Sterling is a big one,” Rick Little said. “We won’t have our ticket punched if we get a win but we will certainly be in the consideration for the postseason and that’s our goal.”

Douglas had 19 carries for 104 yards and three touchdowns, and he had two receptions for 43 yards. Rice had eight carries for 88 yards. Bradyn Little completed 8 of 17 passes for 114 yards, and he was picked off three times.