‘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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Taking care of business: Blue Devils open Class 7A playoffs with resounding victory over Wildcats

Quincy High School cornerback Rico Clay, second from left, and his teammates react to his hit on West Chicago's Louis Zeitler during the first half of the Blue Devils' 44-14 victory in the Class 7A playoffs Saturday at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The one thing the Quincy High School football team couldn’t do was get caught expecting to win instead of playing to win. “Monday, when we watched film, we talked about that,” senior offensive lineman Chris Flachs said. “We knew we were better than (West Chicago). You can say that as much as you…

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WB6 coaches select QHS quarterback as MVP, nine Blue Devils make first-team all-conference

Quincy High School quarterback Bradyn Little threw for 2,562 yards and 37 touchdowns during the regular season, earning Western Big 6 Conference MVP along the way. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Bradyn Little’s success quarterbacking the Quincy High School football team is more than just a passing fancy. It’s a full orchestra of talent. The junior quarterback led the Blue Devils to a 6-0 record in the Western Big 6 Conference and a 9-0 overall regular-season mark, earning first-team all-conference honors and league MVP.…

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Have mercy: Blue Devils bury Silver Streaks with first-half onslaught, Little throws seven TD passes

Quincy High School tailback Jeraius Rice Jr., left, runs away from Galesburg's Markis Lewis on a 33-yard touchdown catch-and-run in the first quarter Friday night at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The halftime instructions were simple and succinct. Don’t be lollygaggers. Having built a 56-5 lead over Galesburg by intermission Friday night, the Quincy High School football team’s starters were told they wouldn’t be taking a snap in the second half. Although this was the fourth time in six games the Blue Devils have…

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Blue Devils capitalize on tide-turning moments, beat Panthers yet again with offensive onslaught

Quincy High School quarterback Bradyn Little threw six touchdown passes in Friday night's 63-27 victory over United Township at the Soule Bowl in East Moline, Ill. | Muddy River Sports file photo

EAST MOLINE, Ill. — Three plays changed everything for the Quincy High School football team. Sure the final score ended up 63-27 with the final 14 minutes played with a running clock, but the Blue Devils needed the tide-turning moments to shoot down United Township in Friday night’s Western Big 6 Conference matchup at the…

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Taking what they’re given: Blue Devils rack up 585 yards, record second playoff victory in school history

The Quincy High School football team's sideline celebrates at the end of Friday night's 49-42 victory over Chatham Glenwood in the opening round of the Class 6A playoffs in Chatham, Ill. | Photo courtesy Samantha Carmean

CHATHAM, Ill. — It’s not supposed to look that easy, especially in the playoffs. The Quincy High School football team racked up 585 yards of total offense, and sophomore quarterback Bradyn Little threw for a school-record 428 yards and four touchdowns as the Blue Devils won a playoff game for just the second time in…

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‘Really, it’s all of them’: Limitless trust in wide receivers allows QHS quarterback to break passing record

Quincy High School’s Caeden Johannessen, right, makes a tough catch during a Western Big 6 Conference game against Sterling at Flinn Stadium. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

QUINCY — Bradyn Little deliberated before answering, and even then the Quincy High School sophomore quarterback struggled to give a single response. So which one of his wide receivers is the best at making the tough catches? “Caeden (Johannessen) has had a few tough catches. And Jack (Mettemeyer). And Tykell (Hammers),” Little said. “Really, it’s…

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Give a Little, get a Little: QHS quarterback breaks two single-game records in WB6 rout of UT

Quincy High School's Gregory Quince, left, celebrates with Caden Johannessen after catching one of his two touchdown receptions in the 49-14 victory over United Township at Flinn Stadium. | Photo courtesy Libby Phelps

QUINCY — Quincy High School football coach Rick Little has seen his son Bradyn, the Blue Devils’ sophomore quarterback, get on a roll before. “Once he gets hot, he can be dangerous … it’s more than just the throws, but the reads,” Rick Little said. “The average fan is like, ‘He threw a ball and…

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