With another regional title won, Raiders focus on preparing for sectional field

QUINCY — The regional reign continues. Sectional success should be a bit more challenging.

To ensure the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer players are ready for whatever lies ahead in the Class 1A Chillicothe IVC Sectional, Raiders coach Greg Reis will hold practice on the grass fields to the east of the Boots Bush baseball field ahead of Tuesday’s semifinal matchup.

“It’s a nice, big grass field from what I’ve been told,” Reis said. “I don’t think we’re going to have to change a lot. We’re just going to stay focused and play the way we’re capable of playing. If we play the way we’re capable of playing, the result should take care of itself.”

It’s how Saturday’s Class 1A QND Regional championship played out.

The Raiders scored four times in the second half, allowed just one shot on goal and cruised to a 6-0 victory over Monmouth-Roseville. It is QND’s ninth regional championship in the last 10 postseasons. The Raiders (15-5-3) also have won four straight sectional titles and six in the previous nine postseasons.

That kind of history breeds confidence, no matter who the opponent is.

This time it will be Somonauk, which beat Earlville 3-1 for the Rock Island Alleman Regional championship. The Bobcats are 18-2 overall and are led by sophomore Lance Grandgeorge, who has 32 goals with 18 assists

Tuesday’s scheduled 7 p.m. matchup will be the first-ever postseason meeting between the Raiders and Bobcats, although there is hope a time change can be agreed upon. Since QND is traveling the furthest — 148 miles compared to 83 for Somonauk, 57 for Mendota and 18 for Peoria Christian — the Raiders would prefer to play in the 5 p.m. semifinal.

Either way, there won’t be the distraction of homecoming.

“It’s a dangerous week,” Reis called this previous six-day stretch with the homecoming distractions.

Maybe that played a role in the slow start. QND didn’t score until 14 minutes remained in the first half when Leo Cann scored off a Tanner Anderson assist. Rylan Fischer’s upper-90 shot from 25 yards out gave the Raiders a 2-0 halftime edge.

In the second half, Cayge Hughes, Ben Frericks and Cann each scored in the first 15 minutes for a 5-0 lead. Anderson scored off a Brock Evans restart for the sixth goal.

The second-half success was the byproduct of trying three different formations and adjusting to the one that worked best.

“I thought we did a nice job adjusting into those new formations,” Reis said. “Once we talked about it at halftime, the floodgates kind of opened up. We went to a four-forward system and were able to get in behind them with some combination play.

“Hats off to the guys for being able to switch formations. Defensively, we did a decent job of containing. Overall, we played pretty well, especially with it being homecoming.”