‘Mentally tough’ Blue Devils overcome early deficit to reach state quarterfinals for first time ever

Quincy High School junior defensive back Rico Clay, left, and junior wide receiver Tykell Hammers celebrate after the Blue Devils' 33-14 victory over Wheaton North on Saturday in the second round of the Class 7A playoffs in Wheaton, Ill. | Submitted photo

WHEATON, Ill. — Twelve minutes into Saturday’s Class 7A second-round playoff game, the chances of Quincy High School extending its best-ever football season looked bleak. The undefeated Blue Devils trailed Wheaton North 14-0. Their vaunted offense was stuck in neutra,l and their stout defense was having trouble slowing the Falcons’ attack. Yet, there was no…

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In their own words: QHS wide receivers break down best parts of their record-setting unit

Quincy High School junior wide receiver Tykell Hammers, left, leads the Blue Devils with 32 receptions and eight touchdown catches this season. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Four weeks into the Western Big 6 Conference football slate and nothing has changed. The Quincy High School wide receivers still top the statistical charts. Adon Byquist, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior, leads the WB6 in receptions (20), receiving yards (407) and receiving touchdowns (5) in conference games. Tykell Hammers, a 6-foot, 185-pound junior,…

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Healthy Byquist gives Blue Devils’ dynamic offense another gear in pursuit of deep playoff run

Quincy High School senior wingback Adon Byquist is 100-percent healthy after suffering a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament in the season opener a year ago. | Photo courtesy Samantha Carmean

QUINCY — At first, Adon Byquist didn’t worry much about the severity of his injury. In fact, no one seemed overly concerned. The Quincy High School football team’s starting wingback went to the sideline during the season opener against Quincy Notre Dame last August with pain in his right knee. He said, at the time,…

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Byquist, Blue Devils grind out victory over Maple Leafs to continue chasing playoffs

Quincy High School quarterback Adon Byquist rushed for a career-high 209 yards in Friday night's 23-22 victory over Geneseo. Photo courtesy Brendan Saak

QUINCY — During Rick Little’s tenure as Quincy High School football coach, the Blue Devils have been known as a pretty tough team to beat at Flinn Stadium. This fall, winning at Flinn has been anything but easy for the Blue Devils. On Friday night, the Blue Devils finally found the right combination, mixing heavy…

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