Saturday rewind: ‘Steady Eddie’ Quince makes two critical defensive plays for QHS

QUINCY — Greg Quince didn’t dwell on what could have been. He was more concerned with what needed to happen next.

The Quincy High School football team’s starting strong safety then made one of what Blue Devils coach Rick Little considered the top two defensive plays of the game in the 27-20 victory over Alton on Friday night.

With the Redbirds facing fourth and 3 to start the fourth quarter, Quince made an open field tackle on Alton tailback Keith Gilchrese for no gain near midfield. The Blue Devils scored on the ensuing possession to go ahead 27-13 and gain the cushion needed to finish their first victory of the season.

“(Quince) played excellent defensively,” Little said. “He’s a guy we rely on and know he’s capable of making big plays.”

It’s the same on both sides of the ball. Quince dropped a pass from QHS freshman quarterback Bradyn Little in the end zone the possession before making the tide-turning tackle.

“He’s a guy who is a pretty steady Eddie,” Little said. “He doesn’t get too high or too low. I don’t worry about his emotions or how it affects him that next play or that next series.

“Greg’s mentality is just that. He’s very even keel. It helps him as a football player and an athlete. He works hard every day and has the ability to make plays.”

Quince also broke up a fourth down pass that would have allowed Alton to sustain a potential game-tying drive. It was all part of a solid defensive effort in the Blue Devils’ first victory of the season.

“We have to clean things up and get better at what we do,” Little said. “This is a good step in that direction.”