Illinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils bump to No. 3, Titans hang in at No. 10

Senior forward Keshaun Thomas, right, and the Blue Devils improved one spot in the Class 4A state poll this week, checking in at No. 3. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the latest Associated Press Illinois boys basketball state rankings, as voted on by a panel of sportswriters and sportscasters from throughout the stat. First-place votes are in parenthesis: Class 4A Rank School Total Points Previous 1. Kenwood (4) (5-0) 112 3 2. Homewood-Flossmoor (6) (7-0) 97 2 3. Quincy (6-0) 81…

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Sluggish start, stellar finish defensively enables Blue Devils to dispatch Bombers

Quincy High School freshman guard Khloe Nicholson finished with eight points, nine rebounds, five assists and six blocked shots in Wednesday's victory over Macomb at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Quincy High School’s girls basketball team received the perfect wake-up call Wednesday night. A bit painful, but perfect. “We came out flat, and Macomb punched us right in the mouth,” Blue Devils coach Brad Dance said. Macomb dominated the first quarter, racing to a 16-9 lead, but those opening eight minutes wound up…

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Blue Devils continue to inch closer to putting together complete ‘A’ effort

Quincy High School senior guard Kamren Wires puts up a jump shot from in front of the Blue Devils' bench during the second half of Tuesday night's Western Big 6 Conference game against Galesburg at Blue Devil Gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — If that was the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s B — or even C — game, the rest of the Western Big 6 Conference must be shaking in their boots at the thought of the Blue Devils bringing their A game. The state-ranked Blue Devils led by as many as 50 points…

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Photo gallery: Blue Devils overwhelm Silver Streaks to improve to 2-0 in WB6 play

Quincy High School guard Bradley Longcor III gets fouled while driving to the basket during Tuesday night's Western Big 6 Conference game against Galesburg at Blue Devil Gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team took care of one of its mid-week chores Tuesday night, dispatching Galesburg 82-39 in the first Western Big 6 Conference game at home this season. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside and put together this photo gallery:

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‘We weren’t frustrated’: Slow start doesn’t deter Blue Devils from steamrolling another opponent

Quincy High School senior forward Keshaun Thomas, right, sizes up th Deerfield defense during Saturday night's game at Blue Devil Gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — There were no alarms sounding, no distress flags being raised. The Quincy High School boys basketball team needed a full first quarter Saturday night for its offense to find a comfortable second gear, but once it did, it became obvious — and rather quickly — it was not a matter of if the…

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Last-second shot doesn’t fall, but struggles throughout fourth quarter doom Blue Devils

Quincy High School sophomore guard Cameron Byquist goes in for a layup during the first half of Saturday's game against Sterling at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball team executed the play. The shot just did not go in. The Blue Devils trailed Sterling 48-46 with six seconds left during Saturday’s Western Big 6 Conference clash at the QHS gym. On an inbounds play underneath the Sterling basket, Quincy sophomore guard Myley Longor got the…

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Blue Devils navigate first road trip with no issues, start WB6 play with lopsided victory

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III led all scorers with 21 points in Friday's 71-34 victory in Western Big 6 Conferencee play at Geneseo. | Matt Schuckman photo

GENESEO, Ill. — Although he has a veteran starting lineup, Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas understood the first road trip for a new varsity roster could present some challenges. “The schedule is just different and you don’t know how guys will react,” Douglas said. The Blue Devils handled it like pros. Quincy…

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Schuckman: Roberts offers encouragement, mentorship to youthful QHS wrestlers

Quincy High School senior wrestler Eli Roberts barks instructions and encouragement to a teammate during Tuesday's dual with Fort Madison (Iowa) at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Eli Roberts isn’t ready to commit to a coaching career. “Might be a little too early to say that,” he said with a smile. But it’s not a stretch to think the Quincy High School senior wrestler could be the next to join the ranks of former Blue Devils who have ventured into…

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Illinois boys basketball state rankings: QHS sits at No. 4 in Class 4A, West Hancock No. 8 in Class 2A

The Quincy High School boys basketball is ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press Class 4A state poll to open the season. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here is a look at the first Illinois Associated Press boys basketball state rankings, as voted on by a panel of sports writers and sportscasters from throughout the state: Class 4A Rank School Total Points 1. Gurnee Warren (5) (4-0) 76   2. Homewood-Flossmoor (2) (4-0) 67   3. Kenwood (2-0) 63  …

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Freshmen set tone, veterans follow their lead as QHS wrestlers dominate Fort Madison in home dual

Quincy High School's Brody Baker bends Fort Madison's Rainer Johnson into position for a pin during Tuesday night's dual at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — As the newcomers picked up victory after victory in quick and efficient fashion Tuesday night, the old guard on the Quincy High School wrestling team knew the pressure was on to perform. “I can’t get outdone out here,” senior Eli Roberts said with a chuckle. “I have to keep that line moving and…

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Photo gallery: QHS wrestlers enjoy success up and down lineup in lone home dual

Quincy High School freshman Griffin Finch cradles Fort Madison's Isaac Kelly before recording a first-period pin during Tuesday's dual at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The energy from a sizable crowd mimicked the energy and enthusiasm the Quincy High School wrestlers brought to the mat Tuesday night in their 64-15 victory over Fort Madison (Iowa) in the Blue Devils’ lone home dual of the season. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat matside and put together this photo…

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‘We played as one’: Blue Devils feed off each other to win fifth consecutive Thanksgiving title

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III gets fouled on a drive to the basket during the second half of Saturday's 69-47 victory over Burbank St. Laurence in the championship game of the 53rd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas burned a timeout only 2 minutes, 45 seconds into Saturday night’s championship game of the 53rd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament for two reasons. Stem the tide and send a message. Burbank St. Laurence scored the game’s first seven points and was emotionally gaining steam before the…

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Photo gallery: Blue Devils beat Vikings to win 53rd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament

Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas, left, shares a laugh along the bench with seniors Keshaun Thomas, center, and Bradley Longcor III during the final minute of Saturday night's 69-47 victory over Burbank St. Laurence at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Bradley Longcor III and the rest of the Quincy High School boys basketball players have made it abundantly clear they don’t like to lose at home. The Blue Devils ran their homecourt win streak to 18 straight games with Saturday’s 69-47 victory over Burbank St. Laurence and secured the championship of the 53rd…

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND induct newest members into Halls of Fame during Saturday ceremonies

Sloan Douglas, the daughter of Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas, gives flowers to Jordan Lepper, the daughter of former QHS assistant coach Tom Lepper, who was inducted into the QHS Hall of Fame on Saturday night. | Samantha Carmean photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame athletic departments held their Hall of Fame induction ceremonies Saturday night during their respective Thanksgiving weekend basketball tournaments. Inducted into the QHS Hall of Fame were Zach Burry, Kadi Fauble, Tom Lepper, Tiffany Terwelp-Smith and the 1994 boys soccer team. Inducted into the QND Hall…

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Flip the switch: Thomas, Blue Devils dominate inside to roll past Eagles and into title showdown

Quincy High School forward Keshaun Thomas waits for a teammate to make a cut before he passes during Friday night's game against Dunlap at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — As the Quincy High School boys basketball team reviewed the film from Thursday’s season-opening victory, Blue Devils coach Andy Douglas offered a critique that struck a nerve with senior forward Keshaun Thomas. The 6-foot-6 Thomas needed to be more aggressive chasing rebounds. “It turns a switch on for me,” Thomas said. “I have…

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Photo gallery: Blue Devils power past Eagles and set up championship matchup at Blue Devil Gym

Quincy High School senior guard Dom Clay glides in for a laying during the second half of Friday night's 81-33 victory over Dunlap at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — After watching Burbank St. Laurence stay undefeated after two nights of the 53rd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament, the Quincy High School boys basketball team needed to do the same. The Blue Devils did so emphatically, beating Dunlap 81-33 at Blue Devil Gym. That sets up a winner-take-all championship game between Quincy and St. Laurence…

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2024 Quincy High School Hall of Fame inductee: Tom Lepper

Tom Lepper was a three-year member of the Quincy High School boys basketball team and spent more than 25 years as an assistant coach with the Blue Devils. | Matt Schuckman photo

Editor’s Note: Quincy High School will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 53rd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament at Blue Devil Gym. Below is the biography used by the QHS Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — Tom Lepper spent more than half…

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2024 Quincy High School Hall of Fame inductee: 1994 boys soccer team

The 1994 Quincy High School boys soccer team went undefeated in the regular season and allowed just seven goals the entire season. | Photo courtesy QHS Hall of Fame

Editor’s Note: Quincy High School will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 53rd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament at Blue Devil Gym. Below is the biography used by the QHS Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — The stingiest team in the history…

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Blistering start, pedal-to-the-metal finish enable Blue Devils to earn season-opening victory

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III throws down a dunk on the game's opening possession Thursday night against Chicago Lindblom in the 53rd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament in Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The beginning and ending of the script the Quincy High School boys basketball team wants to follow played out almost flawlessly Thursday night. It’s the middle part that needs a rewrite. A scintillating start in which Bradley Longcor III scored the game’s first seven points, bookending the flurry with dunks, allowed the Blue…

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Photo gallery: QHS boys basketball team outlasts Lindblom in tourney opener

The Quincy High School boys basketball team's coaching staff left a chair open on the bench with Tom Lepper's No. 54 jersey draped over it to honor the Hall of Fame player and former assistant coach who passed away last week. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Emotion, energy and enthusiasm converged on Blue Devil Gym on Thursday night as the Quincy High School boys basketball team opened its season with a 76-58 victory over Chicago Lindblom in the 53rd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:

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Blue Devils expect to see different styles, different challenges during 53rd Thanksgiving Tournament

Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas goes through some instructions with his team during practice this week in Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Starting Thursday, there’s no time to dwell on the wouldas, couldas and shouldas. That’s what Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas likes about starting the season with three games in three days, which the Blue Devils will do in the 53rd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament in Blue Devil Gym. Quincy kicks off…

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2024 Quincy High School Hall of Fame inductee: Tiffany Terwelp-Smith

Tiffany Terwelp-Smith finished her Quincy High School basketball career with more than 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds. | Photo courtesy QHS Hall of Fame

Editor’s Note: Quincy High School will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 53rd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament at Blue Devil Gym. Below is the biography used by the QHS Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — The most dominant rebounder in the…

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Schuckman: As curtain rises on QHS basketball season, there’s an angel looking over these Devils

Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas, right, shares a light-hearted moment with his players during a break between drills at Tuesday's practice in Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The laughs shared in a calm moment between practice drills Tuesday afternoon were a small sign healing has begun. It may take all season — or longer even — for the Quincy High School boys basketball players and coaches to fully embrace the fact a voice they listened to and cherished hearing has…

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Countdown to tipoff: Experience will help Blue Devils meet heightened expectations

Senior guard Bradley Longcor III, a first-team all-state selection as a junior, is one of three returning starters for the Quincy High School boys basketball team with three years of a varsity experience to lean on. | Matt Schuckman photo

Coverage of the QHS boys basketball team is brought to you by: QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball players don’t shy away from harboring state championship aspirations. “That’s my goal every time I play,” 6-foot-3 senior guard Bradley Longcor III said. Still, becoming preoccupied with that title pursuit is the last thing the…

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Brown, Blue Devils put together can’t-miss effort in opening WB6 play by crushing Rocks

Quincy High School sophomore forward Jada Brown, right, attacks the Rock Island defense during Tuesday night's Western Big 6 Conference game at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — For nearly 28 minutes of game time, Jada Brown could not miss. The Quincy High School sophomore forward scored the Blue Devils’ first nine points, made her first 12 shots and poured in 31 points in the Blue Devils’ 64-42 victory over Rock Island in Tuesday’s Western Big 6 Conference opener at the…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls basketball team opens WB6 play against Rock Island

Quincy High School sophomore Cameron Byquist runs the offense during the second half of Tuesday's Western Big 6 Conference game against Rock Island at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball players are finding the comforts of home much to their liking. The Blue Devils beat Rock Island 64-42 Tuesday night in their Western Big 6 Conference opener and improved to 2-0 at the QHS gym. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside and put together this…

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2024 Quincy High School Hall of Fame inductee: Kadi Fauble

Kadi Fauble won 145 career matches for the Quincy High School girls tennis team and never lost on Court 1 at Reservoir Park. | Photo courtesy QHS Hall of Fame

Editor’s Note: Quincy High School will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 53rd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament at Blue Devil Gym. Below is the biography used by the QHS Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — Arguably the most dominant girls tennis…

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2024 Quincy High School Hall of Fame Inductee: Zach Burry

Zach Burry won two medals at the Class 3A state golf tournament and was an All-Western Big 6 Conference basketball player during his Quincy High School career. | Photo courtesy QHS Hall of Fame Committee

Editor’s Note: Quincy High School will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 53rd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament at Blue Devil Gym. Below is the biography used by the QHS Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — Zach Burry is one of just…

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Schuckman: Lepper was big man with big heart, big laugh and big personality

Tom Lepper, who spent 25 seasons as an assistant coach within the Quincy High School boys basketball program after being an all-state forward for the Blue Devils, passed away Thursday following a battle with brain cancer. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — When Tom Lepper stepped away from his role as an assistant coach with the Quincy High School boys basketball program two seasons ago due to health concerns, a number of people asked if a story would follow. The only way I’d write one, I continuously reiterated, was if he wanted to talk about…

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Energetic and efficient, Blue Devils open season by deflating Crimsons with defense

Quincy High School's Khloe Nicholson, right, knocks the ball away from Jacksonville's Chloe Kuhn during Tuesday night's season openr at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — At the time the Quincy High School girls basketball players went into the locker room to prepare for their varsity tilt, enough of a crowd had filtered into the QHS gym for them to know it might get a little loud. When they re-emerged, the Blue Devils had to do a double-take. The…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls basketball team is dominant in winning season opener

Quincy High School's Madelyn Hamby, left, and Kate Mettemeyer share a laugh before Tuesday night's season opener against Jacksonville at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball team never gave Jacksonville a chance. The Blue Devils scored the game’s first 18 points, didn’t allow a field goal for the first 12 minutes and rolled to a 62-20 victory Tuesday night at the QHS gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put…

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Countdown to tipoff: QHS girls see unselfish play, camaraderie going hand-in-hand with success

Sophomore forward Jada Brown, left, and freshman guard Khloe Nicholson provide the Quincy High School girls basketball team with length to disrupt things defensively and score over smaller defenders at the other end of the court. | Matt Schuckman photo

Coverage of the QHS girls basketball team brought to you by: QUINCY — No one expects it to translate to vintage “Run, Devils, Run,” but the manner in which the Quincy High School girls basketball team plays defense suggests there is a chance the Blue Devils will score often in transition. A lanky, athletic roster…

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Tide turns in third quarter as Mustangs end Blue Devils’ historic run in Class 7A state quarterfinals

Quincy High School quarterback Bradyn Little, left, and running back Jeraius Rice Jr. led the Blue Devils to an 11-win season that ended Saturday with a 49-14 loss to Chicago St. Rita in the Class 7A state quarterfinals. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Arguably the most anticipated season in Quincy High School football history lasted more than 14 weeks and surpassed 500 minutes of game time before coming to an abrupt halt in a matter of 12 minutes Saturday afternoon. With all of that in mind, Rick Little knew a five-minute postgame huddle wasn’t going to…

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Dropping the Hammers: QHS wide receiver puts ‘second talent’ to use in record-setting fashion

Quincy High School senior wide receiver Tykell Hammers has caught 201 passes for 3,017 yards in his three-year varsity career. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The God-given talents are clear to see. Speed, strength, shiftiness and power give Tykell Hammers an edge against any defensive back who lines up opposite Quincy High School’s most celebrated wide receiver. Yet, it’s what Hammers refers to as his “second talent” that makes him elite. He catches the ball with his hands,…

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Playoff primer: QHS takes on Chicago Catholic League power St. Rita

Quincy High School defensive coordinator Eric Gauer, left, and head coach Rick Little, center, will lead the Blue Devils against Chicago St. Rita on Saturday. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Here is a closer look at the Quincy High School football team’s matchup with Chicago St. Rita: When: 3 p.m. Saturday What: Class 7A state quarterfinal Where: Doyle Stadium, Chicago Records: Quincy High School — 11-0 (6-0, first in the Western Big 6 Conference). St. Rita — 9-2 (2-1, tied for first in…

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Record-setting efforts of QHS’s Little, QND’s Scott earn IHSFCA all-state honors

Quincy High School senior quarterback Bradyn Little has earned Class 7A all-state honors in back-to-back seasons after breaking nearly every passing record in program history. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The most prolific passer in the history of the Quincy High School football program and the most prolific tackler Quincy Notre Dame has ever produced share common ground. One of Camp Point Central’s most acclaimed two-way players shares it, too. They are back-to-back first-team all-state selections. QHS senior quarterback Bradyn Little received all-state…

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Crim: Intriguing matchups await area football teams still alive in postseason play

The captains of the Camp Point Central football team await the coin before last Saturday's 40-0 victory over Toledo Cumberland in the second round of the Class 1A playoffs in Camp Point, ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

QUINCY — It’s getting down to nitty-gritty time in the high school football postseason. Now that preliminary playoff rounds are out of the way, three area teams have advanced to the quarterfinals in Illinois and three Missouri teams will play for district championships this week. Reigning Illinois Class 1A champion Camp Point Central has been…

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‘Every drive is a touchdown’: Blue Devils bury Maroons with offensive onslaught late in first half

Quincy High School running back Jeraius Rice Jr. looks to make a move to get to the edge during Friday night's Class 7A second-round playoff game against Moline at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — All Bradyn Little and the Quincy High School football team’s offense could do was wait. Five minutes into the second quarter of Friday night’s Class 7A second-round playoff game, 15th-seeded Moline had chewed up more than 13 minutes of possession and limited second-seeded Quincy to one possession in a game tied at 7…

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Schelp, Smith team up to create tide-turning fumble as Blue Devils seize momentum

Quincy High School right tackle Brendan Vogel, right, celebrates after quarterback Bradyn Little scored on a 1-yard plunge on the final play of the first half Friday night in the Blue Devils' 44-14 victory over Moline in the second round of the Class 7A playoffs. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — As Ben Schelp sized up the situation, he realized every Moline offensive lineman was preoccupied. “They were taking all of our defensive linemen, which left me free off the edge,” said Schelp, the Quincy High School junior linebacker. “It gave me a really easy shot at him.” That’s the last thing Moline quarterback…

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Playoff primer: QHS tackles Moline, while Missouri squads battle for spots in district title games

Quincy High School linebacker Max Wires and the Blue Devils look to wrap up another opponent when they play host to Moline at 7 p.m. Friday in a Class 7A secound-round playoff game. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The second round of the postseason is here, which means Illinois squads are vying for spots in the state quarterfinals and Missouri teams are looking to reach district championship games. Here’s a look at what’s on tap Friday night: Moline at Quincy High School What: Class 7A second-round playoff game When: 7 p.m.…

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WB6 champion Blue Devils load up with all-conference football selections

Quincy High School senior quarterback Bradyn Little was named the MVP of the Western Big 6 Conference and a first-team All-WB6 selection after guiding the Blue Devils to a perfect regular season. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Western Big 6 Conference football coaches didn’t go as far as to say Quincy High School’s high-scoring offense deserved every starter on the all-conference team, but they certainly came close. The Blue Devils snared six of the 11 first-team All-WB6 spots offensively and had eight members of the offense honored overall. Meanwhile,…

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Blue Devils lock down Argonauts, roll into second round of Class 7A playoffs with matchup against WB6 foe Moline looming

Quincy High School's Ben Schelp, left, Kolton Smith, top, and Kamryn Flachs-Hill, right, swallow up Summit Argo quarterback Javoris Cotton during the first half of Saturday's Class 7A first-round playoff game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — In what proved to be another record-setting day for the Quincy High School football team’s offense, it was the defense that stood tall. Summit Argo was able to muster only one first down and was held to a minus-15 yards of total offense against the Blue Devils’ swarming and smothering defense through the…

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Photo gallery: QHS stays undefeated with first-round whitewashing of Summit Argo

Quincy High School wide receiver Tykell Hammers, right, stares down Summt Argo's Christian Zubek before making a move that freed him up to scoee a touchdown during the first half of Saturday's Class 7A first-round playoff game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Quincy High School football team improved to 10-0 with Saturday’s 49-7 victory over Summit Argo in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs at Flinn Stadium. The Blue Devils will play host to Western…

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Definition of determination: Wires overcomes pair of ACL surgeries to become factor at heart of Blue Devils’ defense

Quincy High School senior linebacker Max Wires has overcome ACL injuries that required surgery to both knees to become a significant factor on the Blue Devils' defense this fall. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Every step Max Wires takes is one closer to leaving the past behind. Saturday may be his final stride. That’s when, for the first time in his prep football career, Wires will walk onto the Flinn Stadium turf for a playoff game. Injuries to both knees — the senior linebacker suffered a torn…

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Photo gallery: QHS volleyball team falls in straight sets to O’Fallon in regional title tilt

Quincy High School middle hitter Madison Loos, center, hits the ball past O’Fallon’s Kayden Criss, left, and Gabby Behling during Thursday night’s Class 4A Collinsville Regional championship at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy High School volleyball team saw its season end with a 25-20, 25-18 loss to O’Fallon on Thursday night in the championship of the Class 4A Collinsville Regional in Vergil Fletcher Gym. Photographer Tim Vizer was there and put together this photo gallery for Muddy River Sports:

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Opportunity to play at home gives Adams County football programs edge in postseason

Quincy High School senior quarterback Bradyn Little has led the Blue Devils to back-to-back 9-0 regular seasons and the opportunity to play the first round of the Class 7A playoffs at home. | Photo courtesy Adyson Bray

QUINCY — The road to Normal runs through Adams County. The football teams from three schools within the county borders learned Saturday night their postseason paths begin with first-round home games, and since all three are seeded second or third in their respective brackets, home games deeper in the playoffs are a legitimate possibility. Overall,…

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Blue Devils face adversity with tough chin in finishing back-to-back undefeated regular seasons

Quincy High School lineman Brendan Vogel lifts teammate Jeraius Rice Jr. to celebrate one of Rice's five touchdowns in Friday night's 42-31 victory over Capital City in Jefferson City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Adyson Bray

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Quincy High School football team had faced little adversity in breezing past its first eight opponents by an average of nearly 37 points per game. The Blue Devils showed Friday night they could take a punch and answer with a counterpunch of their own. Three times Quincy, which had never…

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Game Night Guide: Week 9 prep football matchups and livestream links

The Quincy Notre Dame football team goes on the road Friday night to Decatur MacArthur looking to improve to 8-1 and look up a first-round playoff game at home. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Week 9 of the prep football season is upon us and with it comes opportunities to make history, punch playoff tickets and gain needed momentum heading into the postseason. And we will discuss all of that on Muddy Night Lights, powered by Farm & Home Supply, when we go live from 10 p.m.…

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Illinois state football rankings: QND is new No. 1 in Class 2A, while QHS sits at No. 2 in Class 7A

Quincy Notre Dame coach Jack Cornell and the Raiders moved to No. 1 in the Class 2A state poll this week heading into the regular-season finale Friday night at Decatur MacArthur. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the Associated Press state rankings for Illinois high school football as voted on by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 8A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Lincoln-Way East (14) 8-0 140 1 2. Naperville Central 8-0 112 2 3. Lyons 8-0 103 4 4.…

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Blue Devils’ resilient effort not enough as Tigers score pair of daggers in regional semifinal victory

Quincy High School senior midfielder Andrew Brown plays the ball forward while being pressured by an Edwardsville defender during Tuesday night's Class 3A Quincy Regional semifinal at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Andrew Brown understood what the quiet walk across the Flinn Stadium turf meant. He was saying goodbye. “A lot of these guys, I’ve played with my whole childhood,” said Brown, a senior midfielder and co-captain of the Quincy High School boys soccer team. “Going to college and after this season moving on to…

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Raiders rely on strong start to create momentum in sweeping Blue Devils in crossdown showdown

Quincy Notre Dame middle hitter Eva Breckenkamp, left, gets challenged at the net by Quincy High School's Ayanna Douglas during Monday night's crosstown showdown at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Quincy Notre Dame volleyball coach Danielle White’s suit was fit for the occasion. So was the Raiders’ performance. The Raiders blitzed Quincy High School in the first set and staved off a late Blue Devils rally in the second set to win 25-16, 25-22 on Monday at the QHS gym. White took Pink…

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND square off on volleyball court during Pink Night

Quincy Notre Dame's Annie Eaton attempts to block a Quincy High School kill attempt during Monday night's match at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team roared to a double-digit lead in the first set and never let up Monday night, beating Quincy High School 25-16, 25-22 at the QHS gym. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane…

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Crim: Playoff positioning, record-setting efforts add intrigue to final week of regular season

Quincy High School quarterback Bradyn Little continues to climb the Illinois High School Association all-time passing charts and is closing in on No. 2 all-time in passing yardage. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The final week of the high school football regular season has arrived. Quincy High School, Quincy Notre Dame and Camp Point Central have all clinched league championships in Illinois and are on the cusp of securing home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Clarence Cannon Conference title is still…

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QHS’s Reddy upends pair of seeded Moline players to win sectional singles championship

Quincy High School's Anika Reddy receives her medal as the singles champion in the Class 2A Moline girls tennis sectional Saturday in Moline, Ill. | Submitted photo

MOLINE, Ill. — The Moline girls tennis team threw everything it had at Quincy High School’s Anika Reddy and still couldn’t stop her championship drive. Reddy won the singles championship of the Class 2A Moline Sectional, catapulting herself to the state tournament following a remarkable run to the title as the No. 3 seed. Having…

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Raiders rebound with solid effort, Chargers’ Murphy finishes in top 15 at state golf tourney

Illini West senior Nick Bruns improved his second-round score at the Class 1A state tournament Saturday by seven strokes, moving him into the top 30 at Prairie Vista Golf Course Bloomington, Ill. | Samantha Carmean photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Brian Hendrian has come to learn one bad day for the Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team rarely if ever devolves into two. That’s why the QND coach believed the Raiders could erase a 12-stroke deficit and play themselves into contention for a top-three finish on the second day of the Class…

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Blue Devils’ second straight undefeated run through WB6 is ‘something we’re very proud of’

The Quincy High School football players celebrate their undefeated run through the Western Big 6 Conference with a new banner the coaching staff unfurled following Friday night's 55-18 victory over Geneseo in Geneseo, Ill. | Submitted photo

GENESEO, Ill. — Rick Little had a surprise awaiting the Quincy High School football players during their postgame huddle Friday night. The head coach unfurled a 2024 Western Big 6 Conference champions banner. “It’s something we’re very proud of,” Little said. The Blue Devils punctuated back-to-back undefeated WB6 crowns with a 55-18 victory over Geneseo.…

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Sweep of Alleman on Senior Night continues to show revitalization of QHS volleyball program

The five seniors on the Quincy High School volleyball team celebrate a pregame ceremony with their parents Thursday prior to the Western Big 6 Conference matchup with Rock Island Alleman at the QHS gym. | Aaron Beaston photo

QUINCY — The end is near. Of the regular season, that is.  And the Quincy High School volleyball team feels it is in a good place as the stretch run beckons. The Blue Devils dispatched Rock Island Alleman in straight sets on Thursday night, raising their overall record to 22-10 and Western Big 6 Conference…

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Youthful area golfers set to embrace opportunity state tournament play provides

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore Olliver Hendrian will be making his second state tournament appearance when the Raiders tee it up Friday in the Class 1A event at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, Ill.

QUINCY — Why wait to be great? Throughout the prep golf season, with the Quincy Notre Dame and Illini West boys golf teams battling for supremacy and the QND girls team consistently showcasing its depth, comments regarding each team’s youthful lineup focused on the future instead of the present. One of the more common refrains…

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Schuckman: State football rankings generate debate, but have no bearing on playoff brackets

The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame football teams remain ranked in the top four in their respective classes in the Associated Press state polls. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — There are three main points of emphasis high school football fans needs to understand in regards to the state rankings, which have created considerable interest and conjecture following Wednesday afternoon’s reveal of this week’s votes. One, the polls are discussion points and conversation starters. They provide some clarity on which teams could be…

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Illinois prep football rankings: Chicago Mt. Carmel leapfrogs QHS for top spot, QND drops to No. 4 despite victory

Quincy High School running back Jeraius Rice Jr. and the Blue Devils are ranked No. 2 in the Class 7A state poll heading into the Week 8 game at Geneseo. | Shane Hulsey photo

CHICAGO — Here are this week’s Illinois Associated Press state football rankings, as voted on by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 8A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Lincoln-Way East (11) 7-0 110 1 2. Naperville Central 7-0 86 2 3. Oswego 7-0 79 3 4. Lyons 7-0…

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Schuckman: Italian horseshoes and football chatter make for perfect corner market lunch

The Italian horseshoe, served at The Grill on Market Street in Colchester, Ill., is an interesting twist on both the horseshoe and chicken parmesan. | Matt Schuckman photo

COLCHESTER, Ill. — A sense of nostalgia grabbed hold pulling up in front of the small corner market, even for those who had never been there before. For Brigham John, it hit him with full force. As he explained while sitting at a table of six waiting to eat a late lunch, he longed for…

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Crim: Little, Blue Devils setting ‘sky’s the limit’ standard

Rick Little's Quincy Blue Devils can wrap up back-to-back WB6 titles for the first time in a half-century this Friday night by beating Geneseo on the road. — MRN FILE PHOTO

QUINCY – Of all the eye-popping statistics the Quincy High School football team has produced, and the choices are many considering its video game-like offense, one stands above the rest. This senior class has been involved in more victories (30) in the last three-plus seasons than the program achieved in the 1980s (16), 1990s (20)…

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Bombers finish second, Pirates beat Blue Devils in cross-river rematch at QHS Invitational

Ayanna Douglas spikes the ball during a game at Saturday's QHS Invitational. - Photo by Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — After more than 10 hours of volleyball, it’s only fitting that the final match of Saturday’s Quincy High School Invitational provided another three-set thriller. Macomb outlasted Freeburg 25-13, 21-25, 15-9 to earn second place in the tournament. The Bombers fell behind 5-3 in the third set after a long, grueling rally that lasted…

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High five: Rice cooks Sterling with five TD’s as QHS stays unbeaten

Running back Jeraius Rice Jr. scored five touchdowns – four rushing and one receiving – on 10 offensive touches while racking up 253 all-purpose yards. — Photo by Nick Harris

QUINCY – It was a Senior Night to remember. Quincy High needed just 13 plays to score four touchdowns in the opening 7 minutes, 23 seconds and led by 50 points at halftime Friday night in rolling to an emphatic 63-6 victory over Sterling in a Western Big 6 Conference game at Flinn Stadium. Running…

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Raiders and Devils kick to a draw on the pitch

Quincy High struck first twice, then the Raiders rallied to take the lead. Quincy's Logan Epping hit a second half equalizer as the teams fought to a 3-3 draw at Flinn Stadium Thursday night. — Photo by Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — Andrew Brown was so close. Painstakingly close. With three minutes left and the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer teams deadlocked at 3 during Thursday night’s clash at Flinn Stadium, Quincy’s Logan Epping received a through ball on the right wing from Trace Routh. Epping kept his eyes up and…

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Blue Devils’ Novosel grinds out state tournament berth after shooting 2-over 74 at sectional

Quincy High School sophomore Ty Novosel shot a 2-over 74 at Hickory Point Golf Course in Decatur, Ill., during Monday's Class 3A sectional to qualify for the state tournament. | Matt Schuckman photo

DECATUR, Ill. — Ty Novosel held on. Even par through the first 14 holes Monday in the Class 3A Decatur Sectional at Hickory Point Golf Course, the Quincy High School sophomore boys golfer made bogey on two of his final four holes, but he was steady enough to finish tied for seventh individually at 2-over…

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Brown’s sweep at No. 3 singles catapults QND to victory over QHS in city tennis showdown

Quincy Notre Dame's Kaitlyn Brown awaits a serve during Monday's dual against Quincy High School at Reservoir Park. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — Kaitlyn Brown got the run started. Her teammates finished it off. The Quincy Notre Dame girls tennis team won the bottom four singles matches and two of the three doubles matches to earn a 6-3 victory over Quincy High School on Monday at Reservoir Park. The teams split their pair of regular-season duals.…

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Crim: QHS, QND in position to capture conference crowns as football season hits home stretch

Quincy High School running back Jeraius Rice Jr. has scored a team-leading 15 touchdown for the Blue Devils through six games this fall. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — The high school football calendar is entering the home stretch with just three weeks remaining before postseason play begins, and both state-ranked Quincy teams are eyeing conference championships. Quincy High School will play its final home game Friday night against Sterling. The Blue Devils, ranked fifth in Class 7A, already have clinched a…

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Leaders of the packs: QHS boys and girls teams sweep top spots at Tom Oakley Invitational

Quincy High School's Peyton Kuhl, left, and Amick McClelland run side-by-side in the lead during Saturday's Tom Oakley Invitational at Bob Mays Park. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Blue Devil brigade was out in full force at Saturday’s Tom Oakley Invitational. The Quincy High School boys and girls cross country teams blazed a trail through Bob Mays Park to capture the top five positions and team titles in both races. Quincy’s Eli Poe overcame a misstep with a mile left…

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Blue Devils record first shutout since 2021, manhandle Silver Streaks to stay perfect

Quincy High School football coach Rick Little talks to his team at halftime of Thursday night's game against Galesburg at Van Dyke Field in Galesburg, Ill. | Submitted photo

GALESBURG, Ill. — The Quincy High School coaching staff has never gone chasing shutouts, willingly and liberally rotating players on the defense when the score gets lopsided in the second half of recent games. That doesn’t mean the players aren’t looking for the goose egg. With Thursday night’s Western Big 6 Conference matchup with Galesburg…

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Three-set loss to Maple Leafs drops Blue Devils to third place in WB6 volleyball standings

Quincy High School's Ayanna Douglas and the Blue Devils suffered a three-set loss to Geneseo on Thursday night at the QHS gym. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — All of a sudden, Quincy High School finds itself looking up in the Western Big 6 volleyball standings. Prior to Thursday night’s three-set loss to Geneseo, the Blue Devils had been in a three-way tie for the top spot in the conference standings. Now, Quincy finds itself in third place. Geneseo’s 25-22, 24-26,…

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Blue Devils send two golfers to Class 3A sectional, while Bombers push three to Class 2A sectional

Quincy High School junior Hunter St. Clair shot an even-par 72 during Wednesday's Class 3A Collinsville Regional at Arlington Greens Golf Course in Granite City, Ill., and will advance to Monday's sectional in Decatur. | Matt Schuckman photo

GRANITE CITY, Ill. — Hunter St. Clair stayed steady. Ty Novosel stayed aggressive. It paid off for both. The Quincy High School golfers earned individual spots in the Class 3A sectional by finishing in the top 20 during Wednesday’s Class 3A Collinsville Regional at Arlington Greens Golf Course. The top three teams — Chatham Glenwood…

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Illinois prep football rankings: QHS, QND hold steady, Macomb moves into top 10 in Class 4A

Macomb quarterback Braden Holthaus has led the Bombers to a 5-0 record and the No. 10 ranking in the Class 4A state poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Here are the latest Associated Press state rankings for the eight classes of Illinois prep football teams as voted on by a panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes are in parentheses: Class 8A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Lincoln-Way East (14) 5-0 140 1 2. Barrington 5-0 114 2 3. York…

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Surge at end of first set carries over as Hannibal rallies to beat QHS in cross-river volleyball match

Hannibal's Emilia Bates blocks a kill attempt by Quincy High School's Madison Loos during Monday's prep volleyball match at the QHS gym. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — Hannibal’s volleyball team proved Monday night it’s not necessarily how you begin the process. It’s the finished product that matters most. The Pirates’ performance in much of the first set of what was an eventual 2-1 victory over Quincy was … well, ummm … rather forgettable.  What was most memorable, however, was Hannibal’s…

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Eftink, Raiders gear up for regionals by winning final tournament of regular season

Quincy Notre Dame junior Beau Eftink won the individual title Saturday in the Galesburg Invitational at Bunker Links Golf Course in Galesburg, Ill. | Submitted photo

GALESBURG, Ill. — Beau Eftink is in championship mode. His teammates are too. With the Class 1A boys golf postseason set to begin Tuesday, the Quincy Notre Dame junior carries the momentum of back-to-back tournament championships with him after completing a weekend sweep Saturday in the Galesburg INvitational at Bunker Links Golf Course. Eftink won…

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‘I couldn’t stop smiling’: Williams is one of three Blue Devils to score first career TD in victory over Panthers

Quincy High School sophomore tight end Noah Wells tries to use a rub from teammate Tykell Hammers to gain more yardage during Friday night's game against United Township at Flinn Stadium. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — A touchdown in a game separated by 35 points with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter can seem insignificant. Try telling that to Harold Williams. Williams’ 28-yard touchdown run with 1:41 to go punctuated state-ranked Quincy High School’s 49-7 Western Big 6 Conference victory over United Township on Friday night…

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Photo gallery: QHS football team wins another WB6 home game by beating United Township

Quincy High School running back Jeraius Rice Jr. looks for space after getting free around the left end during Friday night's game against United Township at Flinn Stadium. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Quincy High School football team beat United Township for the 22nd consecutive time, winning 49-7 Friday night at Flinn Stadium as Jeraius Rice Jr. scored three touchdowns and Bradyn Litle threw for 332 yards and…

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Photo gallery: Moline wins WB6 girls golf crown after solid effort at Westview Golf Course

Quincy High School senior Ashley Walbring hit her second shot on the par-4 18th hole during Wednesday's Western Big 6 Conference girls golf championships at Westview Golf Course. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The rain that fell over a 36-hour period left the Westview Golf Course’s fairways soft and the greens accessible for Wednesday’s Western Big 6 Conference girls golf championship. Moline took full advantage of it. The Maroons…

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Illinois prep football rankings: QND moves to No. 3, QHS climbs to No. 5, Central stays at No. 4

Junior running back Oliver Triplett and the Quincy Notre Dame football team are running strong into their first road game of the season, heading to Springfield at 7 p.m. Friday. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — Here are the Illinois Associated Press state football rankings as voted on by a panel of sports writers and sportscasters. First-place votes are in parentheses: Class 8A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Lincoln-Way East (14) 4-0 140 1 2. Barrington 4-0 119 3 3. Oswego 4-0 96 T 5 (tie) York 4-0…

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Blue Devils don’t want shootout loss to diminish their persistence and fight in battle with Panthers

Quincy High School goalkeeper Lance Venvertloh makes a save on an attempt during the penalty kick shootout against United Township on Tuesday night at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys soccer players hid neither their disappointment nor their frustration. “This hurts man,” junior center back Bennett Soltwedel said after Tuesday night’s Western Big 6 Conference loss in a penalty kick shootout to United Township following a 2-2 tie through regulation and overtime. “We had it. We just need…

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Photo gallery: QHS, United Township decide WB6 battle on pitch with penalty kicks

The Quincy High School boys soccer players on the sideline anxiously await a corner kick late in regulation during Tuesday night's game against United Township at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — It came down to a shootout. The Quincy High School boys soccer team erased United Township’s one-goal lead with six minutes remaining in regulation, and the teams remain deadlocked at 2 after 20 minutes of overetime.…

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Blue Devils’ Novosel, St. Clair earn all-conference honors with top-eight finishes at WB6 golf meet

Quincy High School's Ty Novosel, fourth from right, finished fifth and QHS teammate Hunter St. Clair, second from right, was sixth at the Western Big 6 Conference boys golf championships Monday in Moline, Ill. | Submitted photo

MOLINE, Ill. — A pair of Quincy High School golfers earned All-Western Big 6 Conference honors Monday, while the Moline boys golf team continued its recent run of dominance in the WB6 championships. Moline won the team title with a 292, capturing its third consecutive team title. Quincy owns the WB6 record with six consecutive…

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Schuckman: Little’s commitment to building right culture around QHS football program leads to another milestone moment

Quincy High School football coach Rick Little won his 100th game with th Blue Devils with Friday night's 43-21 victory at Moline. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Rick Little asked the simplest question that had a surprisingly simple answer. Yet, nothing was going to be simple about the job it led him to take. In February 2007, Little was a candidate for the vacant head football coaching position at Quincy High School. The Blue Devils had endured a two-win season…

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Blue Devils bookend first half with back-breaking touchdowns in WB6 victory over Maroons

Quincy High School quarterback Bradyn Little, left, set a new school single-game record with 437 yards passing Friday night against Moline. | Matt Schuckman photo

MOLINE, Ill. — Allowing a touchdown on the second play of the game had to be a little disheartening for the Moline football team. Giving one up on the final play of the first half was disheartening. That’s how cruel Quincy High School’s efficient and electric offense can be. The Blue Devils opened Friday night’s…

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Blue Devils able to show resiliency despite loss to Maroons in WB6 showdown

Quincy High School senior setter Elise Damon runs the offense during Thursday night's match against Moline at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Quincy High School volleyball coach Kate Brown found a way to smile despite the disappointing end to a topsy-turvy day. Watching adversity reveal the Blue Devils’ character made that possible. First, a knee injury suffered by senior outside hitter Kaley Summers forced Quincy to alter its lineup ahead of Thursday’s Western Big 6…

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Game Night Guide: Conference showdowns and playoff implications on tap for Week 4

The Palmyra football team will look to improve to 3-1 as it plays host to Highland on Friday night. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — Week 4 of the prep football season brings us key conference matchups and will have playoff implications for some teams. Here’s what to look forward to this Friday night, and remember to join us for Muddy Night Lights at 10 p.m.: Quincy High School (3-0) at Moline (2-1), 7 p.m. • WGEM Streaming…

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Wilson holds line, scores game-winning goal as Pirates beat Blue Devils and sweep Gem City foes

Hannibal's Chase Askey looks to make a move with the ball during Thursday night's game against Quincy High School at Flinn Stadium. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — Brody Wilson’s teammates have been offering plenty of suggestions on how he can get more involved in the Hannibal boys soccer team’s attack. “We’ve been on Brody for taking the ball down the line in practice because he likes to cut it in,” Pirates co-captain Bodie Rollins said. The sophomore has been listening.…

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Photo gallery: QHS, Moline volleyball squads square off for first place in WB6

Quincy High School's Madelyn Hamby hides behind a teammate while giving signals during Thursday night's Western Big 6 Conference volleyball match against Moline at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Quincy High School volleyball team will have Oct. 15 marked on its calendar. That’ll be the rematch with Moline with the Western Big 6 Conference championship likely on the line. The Maroons won Round 1…

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Spidey senses: Eftink, Kies with superhero-esque effort in leading Raiders to Ryder Cup victory

Quincy Notre Dame's Dylan Kies hits an approach shot from the middle of the fairway at Spring Lake Country Club during Wednesday's Ryder Cup match with Quincy High School. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Beau Eftink and Dylan Kies may have found their new good luck charm. The Quincy Notre Dame tandem rocked Snoop Dogg shirts — black button-ups with a No. 93 and ‘Dogg’ written on the back — and Spider-Man hats to go along with their American flag pants as they won both of their…

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Schuckman: Prep football teams lining up to chase playoff bids at crucial juncture of regular season

Quincy High School wide receiver Rico Clay and the Blue Devils are one of two Illinois area teams with an undefeated record through the first three weeks of the regular season. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — It takes five. To be considered for one of the 256 high school football teams to qualify for a postseason berth in Illinois, five victories are needed. Six wins guarantees a spot. Seven likely gets a favorable draw. Eight almost always results in a first-round home game. And nine means you’re perfect and…

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Illinois prep football rankings: QND up to No. 4 in Class 2A, QHS up to No. 7 in Class 7A

The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame football teams both moved up in the state rankings this week with the Raiders climbing to No. 4 in Class 2A and the Blue Devils bumping to No. 7 in Class 7A. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Here are the latest Illinois Associated Press state football rankings as voted on by a state-wide panel of sports writers and sportscasters. First-place votes are in parentheses: Class 8A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Lincoln-Way East (13) 3-0 130 1 2. Chicago (Marist) 3-0 111 4 3. Barrington 3-0 101 5 4.…

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Photo gallery: QND, QHS golfers wrap up Ryder Cup at Spring Lake Country Club

Quincy High School's Hunter St. Clair tees off during Wednesday's play in the Quincy Ryder Cup against Quincy Notre Dame at Spring Lake Country Club. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team finished off a dominant effort in the annual Ryder Cup matches with Quincy High School, sweeping Wednesday’s action at Spring Lake Country Club for a 10-2 victory. Muddy River…

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Blue Devils run away from pack to win boys and girls titles during Running Raider Classic

Quincy High School freshman Eli Poe, right, and Blue Devils senior Reed Steiner, left, lead the pack in the final stretch of the Running Raider Classic on Tuesday at South Park in Quincy. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A wave of blue rippled through South Park on Tuesday afternoon. The Quincy High School boys and girls cross country teams ran to individual and team titles at the Running Raider Classic. The Blue Devils dominated the boys race with five of the top six individual finishers, led by Eli Poe taking first…

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