Frese, Tracy congratulate Central football championship team during Illinois State Capitol visit

State Rep. Randy Frese, center left, and State Sen. Jil Tracy, center right, pose for a photo with the Camp Point Central football team inside the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on Wednesday. | Photo courtesy of Lisa Sims

SPRINGFIELD – The Camp Point Central football team was congratulated by State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) and State Rep. Randy Frese (R-Paloma) during its trip to the Illinois State Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7. The Panthers captured the Illinois High School Association Class 1A state football championship and had an undefeated season. The team made the trip to…

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Four Illinois prep football standouts receive first-team all-state honors from coaches association

Quincy High School quarterback Bradyn Little received first-team all-state honors in Class 7A from the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association after throwing for 3,422 yards and 45 touchdowns this season. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A quarterback who helped his team make history, a linebacker who tackled everything in sight and a pair of all-purpose performers who have pushed their team into the state semifinals share one thing in common. They have been named first-team all-staters. The Illinois High School Football Coaches Association released its all-state teams Tuesday…

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Playoff primer: Undefeated teams hit road for second-round games, QND comes home with momentum

Quincy High School senior offensive lineman Chris Flachs and the Blue Devils travel to Wheaton North for a Class 7A second-round playoff game. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The second round of the Illinois football playoffs means a five-hour road trip for Quincy High School, a rematch for Camp Point Central and the return to Advance Physical Therapy Field for Quincy Notre Dame. Here’s a look at what Saturday’s slate looks like: Quincy High School (10-0) at Wheaton North (7-3), 2…

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QND receives final spot in Illinois football playoff field, while QHS, Central, Unity-Payson also learn postseason paths

The Quincy Notre Dame football team made the field for the Class 2A playoffs as the last team to qualify, getting in with a 4-5 record. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — An answered prayer, a unique draw and a top spot on the bracket. The revealing of the Illinois High School Association’s football playoff pairings had some of the intrigue teams crave and an intriguing twist with the final team to qualify for the 256-team field spread over eight classes. Quincy Notre Dame, which…

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Game night guide: Illinois teams make final playoff push, Missouri squads look for momentum

Illini West running back Ian Bentzinger, right, and the Chargers will look to snare their fifth victory of the season and a playoff berth with it by beating Moweaqua Central A&M on Friday night. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Some of the postseason drama that comes with Week 9 has been eliminated already, although a couple of Illinois prep football teams need victories to enhance their postseason prospects. Here is a look at what’s on tap this week: Mahomet-Seymour (7-1) at Quincy High School (8-0), 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM •…

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Illinois prep football rankings: Blue Devils climb to No. 5, Panthers hold steady at No. 2

The Quincy High School football team moved up to No. 5 in the Class 7A state poll this week ahead of its Week 9 matchup against Mahomet-Seymour at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the latest rankings of Illinois high school football teams in each class, according to an Associated Press panel of sportswriters: Class 8A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (10) (8-0) 109 1 2. Lincoln-Way East (1) (8-0) 100 2 3. Barrington (8-0) 88 3 4. Maine South (7-1) 74 4 5.…

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Game night guide: Conference titles, playoff positioning raise stakes for Week 8

Unity-Payson quarterback Sawyer Allen and the Mustangs will become eligible for the playoffs with a victory this week against Pleasant Hill. | Photo courtesy Sarah Donley Photography

QUINCY — Conference championships. Playoff qualifiers. District seeding. Week 8’s importance is at a high level across the board for Illinois and Missouri prep football teams. Here is a look at this weekend’s slate: Friday’s games Geneseo (6-1, 3-1 WB6) at Quincy High School (7-0, 5-0 WB6), 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM • WGEM…

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Illinois state football rankings: Camp Point Central moves to No. 2 in Class 1A

The Camp Point Central football team is No. 2 in the latest Associated Press Class 1A state poll. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CHICAGO — Here are the latest rankings of Illinois high school football teams in each class, according to an Associated Press panel of sportswriters: Class 8A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (11) (7-0) 119 1 2. Lincoln-Way East (1) (7-0) 109 2 3. Barrington (7-0) 94 4 4. Maine South (6-1) 81 5 5.…

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Six area teams still in Illinois prep football playoff picture with two games remaining

Quincy High School coach Rick Little, right, has offensive lineman Cole Wagy and the Blue Devils pointed in the right direction heading into the playoffs. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Illinois prep football playoff picture is starting to gain some clarity. Six teams in our area have qualified, should qualify or could qualify depending on what happens over the final two weeks of the regular season. Around the state, some coaches and other prognosticators are updating and changing brackets, opinions and thoughts…

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Game Night Guide: Kickoff times, radio and livestream links for Week 7 of prep football

Hannibal's Carter Reed and the Pirates travel to Moberly for a battle of state-ranked teams in the North Central Missouri Conference. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — Week 7 of the prep football season will help determine which teams play for conference championships and which teams keep their postseason hopes alive. Here is a look at the weekend slate: Friday’s games Quincy High School (6-0) at Sterling (4-2), 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM • NFHS Network Did you know?:…

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Illinois prep football rankings: Blue Devils move to No. 6 in Class 7A, Panthers hold at No. 3 in Class 1A

The Quincy High School football team's offense huddles prior to a play against Galesburg during last Friday's game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the latest rankings of Illinois high school football teams in each class, according to an Associated Press panel of sportswriters: Class 8A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (11) (6-0) 128 1 2. Lincoln-Way East (2) (6-0) 119 2 3. York (6-0) 104 3 4. Barrington (6-0) 84 4 5. Maine…

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Game night guide: Week 6 of prep football season is make or break for several teams

Gavin Doellman and the Quincy Notre Dame football team will put their playoff hopes on the line against Columbia (Mo.) Father Tolton on Friday night at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The high school football season has moved past the midway point and teams are finding themselves on the edge of the playoff picture. Some can keep their hopes alive with victories Friday night, while others could see those postseason dreams dashed. Here is the lineup: Friday’s games Galesburg (1-4) at Quincy High School…

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Illinois prep football rankings: QHS, Camp Point Central remain area’s ranked teams

The Camp Point Central football team remains No. 3 in the Class 1A state poll with a 5-0 record. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the latest rankings of Illinois high school football teams in each class, according to an Associated Press panel of sportswriters.  Class 8A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (14) (5-0) 149 1 2. Lincoln-Way East (1) (5-0) 136 2 3. York (5-0) 120 3 4. Barrington (5-0) 97 4 5. Maine…

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Game Night Guide: Diving into this weekend’s high school football schedule

Macomb junior quarterback Braden Holthaus set the Bombers' single-game passing record last week with 339i yards passing in a 40-30 victory over West Hancock. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Here is a look at this weekend’s prep football slate: Friday’s games Quincy High School (4-0) at United Township (1-3), 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM • QCSportsNet.com Did you know?: The Blue Devils have won 19 consecutive meetings with the Panthers, starting with a 35-27 victory in Week 6 of the 2003…

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Illinois state football rankings: QHS, Central each rise one spot in respective classes

Quincy High School junior wide receiver Tykell Hammers and the Blue Devils moved up to No. 8 in the Class 7A state poll this week. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the latest rankings of Illinois high school football teams in each class, according to an Associated Press panel of sportswriters: Class 8A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (8) (4-0) 125 2 2. Lincoln-Way East (5) (4-0) 122 1 3. York (4-0) 104 3 4. Barrington (4-0) 81 5 5. Maine…

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Illinois prep football rankings: Camp Point Central, QHS hold strong in respective classes

The Camp Point Central football team continues to hold the No. 4 spot in the Class 1A state poll heading into Week 4. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CHICAGO — Here are the Illinois Associated Press state football rankings, as voted on by a panel of sportswriters and sportscasters from across the state: Class 8A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Lincoln-Way East (8) (3-0) 125 1 2. Loyola (5) (3-0) 122 2 3. York (3-0) 103 3 4. Maine South (2-1) 83 4…

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Illinois prep football rankings: Quincy cracks Class 7A top 10 heading into Western Big 6 play

The Quincy High School football team's 2-0 start has earned the Blue Devils a spot in this week's Class 7A state poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

Here are the latest rankings of Illinois high school football teams in each class, according to an Associated Press panel of sportswriters. Class 8ASchool W-L Pts Prv 1. Lincoln-Way East (9) (2-0) 117 12. Loyola (3) (2-0) 111 23. York (2-0) 96 34. Maine South (1-1) 62 55. Barrington (2-0) 60 T76. Glenbard West (1-1)…

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Illinois prep football polls: Central opens at No. 2 in Class 1A, QHS and QND both receiving votes

Camp Point Central football coach Brad Dixon will lead the Panthers into the 2023 season with a No. 2 ranking in Class 1A. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

Here are the latest rankings of Illinois high school football teams in each class, according to an Associated Press panel of sportswriters and released Wednesday: Class 8A School Pts  1. Lincoln-Way East (8) 116  2. Loyola (4) 111  3. York 78   4. Maine South 73   5. Gurnee Warren 60   6. Palatine 53…

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Trio of area’s best Illinois football players receive all-state honors from coaches association

Central senior running back/linebacker Isaac Genenbacher, right, was one of three area players named to the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association all-state teams. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

QUINCY — Three area football players have been named to the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association all-state teams, while seven others picked up honorable mention all-state plaudits. Central senior running back/linebacker Isaac Genenbacher, Brown County senior fullback/linebacker Colby Wort and Macomb junior wide receiver JT Jeter were first-team all-state selections. Genenbacher has been a…

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Illinois prep football state rankings: Central only area team cracking preseason top 10

Central coach Brad Dixon and the Panthers head into Friday's season opener ranked 10th in the Class 1A state preseason poll. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

Here are the latest rankings of Illinois high school football teams in each class, according to an Associated Press panel of sportswriters: Class 8A School Pts 1. Lincoln-Way East (7) 95 2. Loyola (2) 91 3. Glenbard West 79 4. Bolingbrook 75 5. Gurnee Warren 63 6. Naperville Neuqua Valley (1) 54 7. Maine South…

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IHSA football playoff pairings: Central earns No. 1 seed in Class 1A, QND receives home game to open Class 4A bracket

The Central football team is the No. 1 seed in its half of the Class 1A playoff bracket for the first time in program history. Photo courtesy Scott Bemis

QUINCY — Dylan Dickhut’s historical research uncovered a unique fact about the Central football program. The Panthers have never been a No. 1 seed in a playoff bracket, not even when finishing the regular season undefeated. Saturday night, history changed. Central drew the No. 1 seed in the Class 1A south bracket according to the…

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Scoreboard for Friday, October 22

Prep Football At Hardin, Ill. Central 56, Calhoun 21: Tied at 14 at halftime, the state-ranked Panthers overwhelmed the Warriors in the third quarter and ran away with the victory. Sterling Stotts scored on a 1-yard run and a 12-yard run on the first two possessions of the second half, while defensive lineman Keaton Dickhut…

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Rocks dash Blue Devils’ playoff hopes with overwhelming defense in second half

Rock Island's Jaquai Scott jumps on the back of Quincy's Peyton Weech during a Western Big 6 Conference game Friday at Almquist Field. Photo courtesy Bobby Metcalf/QC Times

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Quincy High School football team created a glimmer of hope in its pursuit of a playoff berth. It faded with one bad snap. Despite allowing Rock Island to score touchdowns on its first three possessions Friday night at Almquist Field, the Blue Devils were in perfect striking distance down 21-18…

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Game Night Guide: Week 9 of prep football

Friday’s Schedule Quincy High School (4-4) at Rock Island (5-3), 7:30 p.m. • WGEM 1440 AM, 98.9 FM Quincy Notre Dame (5-3) at Alton Marquette (0-8), 7:30 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM Hannibal (8-0) at Columbia Battle (4-3), 7 p.m. • KICK 97.9 FM Central (7-1) at Calhoun (2-6), 7 p.m. • Central Illinois Sports…

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Game Night Guide: Week 8 of prep football

Friday’s Schedule Rock Island Alleman (0-7) at Quincy High School (3-4), 7:30 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM Granite City (0-7) at Quincy Notre Dame (4-3), 7 p.m. • WGEM 1440 AM, 98.9 FM Marshall (2-5) at Hannibal (7-0), 7 p.m. • KICK 97.9 FM Brown County (5-2) at Greenfield-Northwestern (5-2), 7 p.m. • NFHS Network…

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Schedule change pits Panthers against playoff-caliber foe in Saturday contest

Central quarterback Nick Moore and the Panthers will get a taste of the playoffs this week by adding Moweaqua Central A&M to the schedule. The Raiders visit Camp Point at 1 p.m. Saturday. Photo courtesy Scott Bemis

CAMP POINT, Ill. — The Central football team is prepping for the postseason with a playoff-like showdown thanks to a late-in-the-week schedule change. North Greene will not field a varsity team this week due to “the large amount of injuries and players under team discipline,” according to a statement from the Spartans athletic department which…

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Game Night Guide: Week 7 of prep football

Friday’s Schedule Geneseo (3-3) at Quincy High School (2-4), 7:30 p.m. • WGEM 1440 AM, 98.9 FM Lutheran St. Charles (4-2) at Quincy Notre Dame (4-2), 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM Hannibal (6-0) at Moberly (2-4), 7 p.m. • KICK 97.9 FM Beardstown (3-3) at Central (5-1), 7 p.m. • Central Illinois Sports on…

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Illinois prep football rankings: Hornets firmly at No. 2 in Class 1A, Raiders remain No. 5 in Class 4A

The Brown County football team is ranked No. 2 in Class 1A, while Central is tied for fifth following the Hornets' 22-20 victory over the Panthers last Friday night. Photo courtesy Scott Bemis

Here are the state rankings of Illinois high school football teams in each class heading into Week 5, according to an Associated Press panel of sportswriters: Class 8A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (9) (4-0) 90 1 2. Naperville Central (3-1) 69 3 3. Naperville Neuqua Valley (4-0) 62 5 4. Chicago Marist (3-1)…

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Illinois prep football rankings: Brown County, Central both rise in Class 1A

After beating Triopia 14-9 last Friday, Cole Behymer, left, and the Brown County football team moved up to a tie for No. 2 in the Class 1A state rankings. Photo courtesy Scott Bemis

Here are the latest rankings of Illinois high school football teams in each class, according to an Associated Press panel of sportswriters: Class 8A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Maine South (8) (3-0) 107 2 2. Chicago (Marist) (1) (3-0) 96 3 3. Naperville Central (2) (2-1) 74 1 4. Gurnee Warren (2-1) 73 4…

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Saturday Rewind: Hornets display toughness in last-second defensive stand

Brown County's Brody Woodward, left, and Ethan Lehne, right, tie up Triopia's Caden Moore during Friday night's game in Mount Sterling, Ill. Photo courtesy Scott Bemis

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — Brown County football coach Tom Little and his staff learned Friday night the Hornets have a little extra toughness in the toughest of situations. That took before the final defensive stand. “There were times we’re starting to see somebody cramp up or they’d taken a good shot and we’re sending someone…

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Saturday Rewind: Panthers rely on instincts, smart plays to fend off Mustangs

Central's Garrett Williams, left, takes the handoff from Sterling Stotts on a kickoff return during the second half Friday night against Unity-Payson in Mendon, Ill. Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — The instinctive and smart plays Central football coach Brad Dixon continues to see from some of his youthful playmakers is as encouraging as anything else three games into the season. Sophomore quarterback Nick Moore delivered one of those plays to help the Panthers build an insurmountable lead Friday night. Facing third…

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Scoreboard for Friday, September 10

Prep Football Moline 48, Quincy 35 Quincy Notre Dame 49, Marceline 7 Hannibal 56, Fort Zumwalt West 35 Central 42, Unity-Payson 34 Brown County 14, Triopia 9 Pittsfield 31, Auburn 24 Carrollton 55, Pleasant Hill 14 Monroe City 48, South Shelby 8 Palmyra 40, Macon 21 Highland 38, Clark County 0 Mark Twain 54, Van-Far…

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Game Night Guide: Week 3 of prep football

Friday’s Schedule Moline (1-1) at Quincy High School (1-1), 7 p.m. • WGEM 1440 AM, 98.9 FM • NFHS Network Marceline (2-0) at Quincy Notre Dame (2-0), 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM • QND Athletics on YouTube Hannibal (2-0) at Fort Zumwalt West (1-1), 7 p.m. • KICK 97.9 FM Central (2-0) at Unity-Payson…

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Game Night Guide: Week 2 of prep football

Friday’s Schedule Rock Island Alleman at Quincy Notre Dame, 7 p.m. • WGEM 1440 AM, 98.9 FM Quincy High School at Alton, 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM Jefferson City at Hannibal, 7 p.m. • KHMO 1070 AM Central at Pleasant Hill, 7 p.m. • Central Illinois Sports on YouTube Calhoun at Unity-Payson, 7 p.m.…

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State football rankings: QND, Brown County move up, Central cracks top 10

The Quincy Notre Dame football team moved up to No. 4 in the Class 4A state football poll this week. Matt Schuckman photo

Here are the Illinois high school football state rankings, as voted on by a panel of sportswriters and compiled by the Associated Press. The rankings were released Tuesday afternoon: Class 8A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Gurnee Warren (7) (1-0) 79 1 2. Lincoln-Way East (1) (1-0) 72 2 3. Chicago (Marist) (1-0) 62 3…

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Liquor Booth Shot of the Game: Central’s Genenbacher rips off 61-yard TD run

A fourth-quarter rally cannot become epic unless there is an exclamation point. Friday night in Camp Point, Isaac Genenbacher punctuated the Central football team’s 22-point fourth quarter with a game-winning dash to the end zone. Panthers sophomore safety Gavin Blewett forced a fourth-quarter fumble and Genenbacher scored on a 61-yard run on the next play,…

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Saturday football rewind: Mustangs run wild, Panthers show resolve and Pirates knock off defending state champ

MENDON, Ill. — Matt Woodworth found it easy to pinpoint what he enjoyed most about his head coaching debut. “The aggression we played with,” the Unity-Payson football coach said. The Mustangs made Woodworth’s first game memorable, holding North Greene to minus-33 yards rushing in a 58-0 whitewashing Friday night. The Mustangs outgained the Spartans 484-119…

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Crosstown showdown notebook: Lavery solid in debut as Raiders’ quarterback

The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame football teams opened their seasons against each other for the first time since 1985 on Friday night at Flinn Stadium. Brendan Saak photo

QUINCY — Calvin Lavery started to squat before realizing his muscles wouldn’t allow it. So the Quincy Notre Dame quarterback stayed standing as he talked about dealing with cramps throughout the Raiders’ 40-20 victory Friday night against Quincy High School in the crosstown showdown at Flinn Stadium. Temperatures topping out at 93 degrees with heat…

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Something special happening here: Raiders turn tide with big plays in kicking game against Blue Devils

Quincy Notre Dame football coach Jack Cornell, left, celebrates with senior wide receiver Zach Friedersdorf after a 6-yard touchdown reception gave the Raiders a 24-0 lead over Quincy High School on Friday night at Flinn Stadium. Brendan Saak photo

QUINCY — Ben Kasparie needed just 17 seconds to put plans into motion to erase 37 years of longing. On the opening kickoff of Friday night’s season-opening crosstown showdown at Flinn Stadium, the Quincy Notre Dame senior glanced to his left after fielding the kick and thought there was a seam opening toward the sideline.…

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Quincy coaches remain coy about who starts at QB ahead of Friday’s showdown

Quincy Notre Dame senior quarterback Calvin Lavery and his teammates go through post-practice stretches at Advance Physical Therapy Field. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The most asked question of the past two weeks still doesn’t have an answer. Who is the starting quarterback? Both Quincy High School football coach Rick Little and Quincy Notre Dame coach Jack Cornell have been steely in how they’ve addressed it. Even days before Friday night’s season opener at Flinn Stadium, neither…

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Game Night Guide: Week 1 of prep football

Friday’s schedule Quincy Notre Dame at Quincy High School, 7 p.m. WTAD 930 AM, WGEM 1440 AM, WGEM TV Hannibal at Jefferson City Helias, 7 p.m. KICK 97.9 FM Carrollton at Central, 7 p.m. Central Illinois Sports on YouTube.com Pittsfield at Pleasant Plains, 7 p.m. Central Illinois Sports on YouTube.com Hallsville at Palmyra, 7 p.m.…

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Championship aspirations continue to be driving force for Raiders

Quincy Notre Dame football coach Jack Cornell talks to his players during a preseason practice at Advance Physical Therapy Field. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame football team’s state semifinal berth in 2019 led to an offseason of believing a state championship was within reach if not the Raiders’ destiny. “And then COVID,” linebacker Elliott Maas said. The pandemic led to the 2020 fall season morphing into a six-game spring season with no playoffs. Those…

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Countdown to kickoff: Experience, stability up front helps Hornets put winning at top of menu

Brown County quarterback Tate Fullerton runs a play during the first practice the Hornets could be in full pads. Matt Schuckman photo

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — Breakfast may be served. That solely depends on how well the Brown County offensive line performs. Hornets quarterback Tate Fullerton enjoys the utmost confidence in his protection, admitting he feels comfortable in the pocket and doesn’t have to worry about “whether I’m going to get hit or not.” If he avoids…

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