Byquist emerges as Blue Devils’ offensive leader in victory over Redbirds

ALTON, Ill. — The Quincy Blue Devils started the season with three quarterbacks sharing snaps, but after two weeks of football, a leader has emerged from the pack.

Adon Byquist passed for three touchdowns and 172 yards, and he ran for another touchdown Friday night as the Blue Devils grabbed an early lead and held on to defeat Alton 27-20 at Public Schools Stadium.

The most important touchdown of the three came with 8:15 remaining in the game. Byquist rolled to his left, pump faked to freeze two Alton defenders and then found Makhi Lewis for a 5-yard touchdown to put Quincy ahead 27-13. Earlier on the drive, Byquist converted a critical 4th-and-3 on the ground.

Alton responded with a 20-yard touchdown pass by Graham McAfoos to Jaylen Telford with 5:44 remaining. The Redbirds did get the ball back with a chance to tie the score, but the QHS defense forced them to turn the ball over on downs with two minutes to play. QHS then ran out the clock.

Byquist started the game’s scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He then threw two touchdown passes to Jack Mettemeyer in the fourth quarter — one from 26 yards and one from 23 yards. Both came on fourth down.

Byquist also made a difference with his punting. Starting punter Cam Brown was injured last week. Byquist dropped a punt inside Alton’s 5-yard line in the second quarter, and after the Blue Devils shut down the Redbirds, an Alton punt only traveled 18 yards to give Quincy great field possession for the first Mettemeyer touchdown.

Alton outgunned Quincy 294-249. Byquist completed 14 of 25 passes for 172 yards. Gregory Quince was his favorite target, grabbing six passes for 85 yards.

McAfoos threw for 201 yards, but he was limited to four completions in the second half on 12 attempts for 43 yards. He also threw an interception to Ty Douglas. Keith Gilchrese ran the ball 18 times for 89 yards for Alton.