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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Photo gallery: Cross country runners charge through South Park during Running Raider Classic

Quincy Notre Dame's Devin Bradfield, right, and Marion County's Porter Britt head for the final stretch of the South Park course Tuesday during the Running Raider Classic in Quincy. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads of prints from this gallery,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — More than 160 high school cross country runners pounded the dusty, hard ground as they made their way through South Park on Tuesday afternoon during the Running Raider Classic. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman hung out along…

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Photo gallery: Hannibal, QND, QHS girls golfers take on Norwoods Golf Club

The Quincy High School girls golf team was part of a quadrangular Tuesday at Norwoods Golf Club in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal, Quincy Notre Dame, Quincy High School and Kirksville girls golf teams played a nine-hole match Tuesday at Norwoods Golf Club. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey hit the links with them and put together this photo gallery:

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Patriotic Raiders capture first leg of Quincy’s Ryder Cup by winning four points at QCC

Quincy Notre Dame junior Aiden Tangy tees off during Monday's leg of the Quincy Ryder Cup against Quincy High School at Quincy Country Club. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The American flag pants the Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team wears each year during the Quincy Ryder Cup might not be the most comfortable, but Raiders junior Aiden Tangy would gladly trade a little bit of discomfort to look stylish. “They’re very hot, but they’re really cool,” Tangy said. “I think they…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls tennis team uses success in doubles as springboard to dual victory over QND

Quincy High School's Mary Dodd, left, and Anika Reddy react to winning a point in their No. 1 doubles match against Quincy Notre Dame's Kaitlyn Brown and Morgan Zanger on Tuesday at the Greeman Tennis Center in Reservoir Park. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The competitive nature of the doubles matches meant the crosstown showdown between the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame girls tennis team wasn’t going to be a landslide either way. In fact, the Blue Devils’…

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND boys golf teams engage in first leg of annual Ryder Cup matchup

The Quincy Notre Dame and Quincy High School boys golf teams squared off in a Ryder Cup-style format Monday at Quincy 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 took a two-point lead after the first leg of the annual Ryder Cup matchup with Quincy HIgh School following Monday’s nine-hole matches at Quincy Country Club. The second leg…

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Crim: Big plays from explosive offense giving QHS football team leg up in undefeated start

The play of Quincy High School quarterback Bradyn Little, left, and tailback Jeraius Rice Jr. has enabled the Blue Devils to average more than 40 points and 400 yards of offense in their first three games. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The formula for the Quincy High School football team is simple. Catch us if you can. Quincy’s explosive offense has picked up where it left off last season by scoring 40 or more points in each of its first three games. The undefeated and state-ranked Blue Devils are churning out nearly 470 yards…

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Leaving no doubt: Blue Devils start WB6 title defense by overwhelming Rocks in all facets

Rock Island running back Temar Hudson is swallowed up by Quincy High School’s King Johnson (71), Ben Schelp (6) and Ryland Bloyd (53) during the first quarter of Friday night’s Western Big 6 Conference game at Flinn Stadium. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Quincy High School wanted to make a statement as it opened defense of its Western Big 6 Conference football championship. The Blue Devils delivered a powerful one. Scoring on all six offensive possessions in the first half while limiting Rock Island to just one first down, QHS opened a 41-0 halftime lead Friday…

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Photo Gallery: Rice scores four TDs, Little throws for five TDs as Blue Devils rock out in home victory

Quincy's Jeraius Rice Jr. trots into the end zone to score on a two-point conversion try during Friday night's Western Big 6 Conference game against Rock Island at Flinn Stadium. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Jeraius Rice scored four times, Bradyn Little completed 21 of 24 passes for 320 yards and five touchdowns and the Quincy High School defense limited Rock Island to three first downs and minus-17 yards of rushing in a 48-7 rout in a Western Big Six football game at Flinn Stadium on Friday night.…

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Schuckman: Blue Devils adjust to role of having to protect WB6 crown as league play begins

The Quincy High School football team will need to make a stand defensively Friday night as the Blue Devils open Western Big 6 Conference play against Rock Island at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The hunted, not the hunter. That’s the role the Quincy High School football program is embracing. Rarely has there been a season since the Western Big 6 Conference was formed in the early 1970s where the Blue Devils were the odds-on favorite to win the league title. As league play kicks off Friday…

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Raiders improve toughness, tenacity in second half to snare crosstown showdown victory

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Rylan Fischer reacts to scoring his second goal of the second half Thursday night in the 3-1 victory over Quincy High School at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The resiliency to rebound from a one-goal deficit and draw even by halftime of Thursday night’s rivalry game was welcome, but the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer players understood they needed more. They had to get tougher. “We were playing soft in the midfield,” senior co-captain Brody Jones said. “We weren’t getting into…

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Three-set victory over Sterling in WB6 play continues to show QHS volleyball team’s tenacity

The Quincy High School volleyball team and its bench react to winning a crucial point in the third set of Thursday's Western Big 6 Conference victory over Sterling at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Fearless. If Quincy High School volleyball coach Kate Brown had to pick one adjective to describe the way her team is playing right now, this is the one she would choose. “They’ve found that fight and the fuel to the fire,” Brown said. The Blue Devils scratched and clawed their way to a…

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Photo gallery: QND beats QHS in first of two meetings in soccer’s crosstown showdown

Quincy Notre Dame's Sullivan Walker gets his head on the ball during the first half of Thursday night's game against Quincy High School at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — Rylan Fischer scored two second-half goals and the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team rallied from a one-goal deficit to beat Quincy High School 3-1 Thursday night at Advance Physical Therapy Field in this season’s first…

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Photo gallery: QHS volleyball team knocks off Sterling in three sets at QHS gym

The Quincy High School volleyball team outlasted Sterling in a three-set match Thursday night at the QHS gym, winning 26-24, 20-25, 25-19. | 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 volleyball team simply won’t be denied. Thursday night’s 26-24, 20-25, 25-19 victory over Sterling marked the Blue Devils’s second three-set victory in Western Big 6 Conference play this week and third in…

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QHS, QND in state rankings at same time for first time as Illinois AP reveals first polls of season

The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame football teams, which went head-to-head in Week 1, are both ranked in their respective classes in this week's Associated Press state polls. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — History occurred Wednesday on the Gem City gridiron. The release of the Associated Press state football rankings resulted in both the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame football teams being ranked in their respective classes at the same time for the first time ever. The Blue Devils (2-0) are ranked ninth in…

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Once Rocks get Goeh-ing, Blue Devils unable to slow them down while suffering WB6 loss

Quincy High School's Logan Epping, right, looks to cut inside a Rock Island defender during the first half of Tuesday night's Western Big 6 Conference game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Goeh means go. The Quincy High School boys soccer team had no way to stop that. Rock Island forward Benjamin Goeh netted the first of his three goals Tuesday night in the 14th minute, setting the stage for the Rocks to roll out of Flinn Stadium with a 4-1 Western Big 6 Conference…

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Photo gallery: Blue Devils, Rocks square off in WB6 action on Flinn Stadium pitch

Quincy High School forward Trace Routh, left, tangles with Rock Island's Ler Bwe during Tuesday night's Western Big 6 Conference 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 Rock Island boys soccer team scored two goals in each half Tuesday night and headed home with a 4-1 victory over Quincy High School in Western Big 6. Conference play at Flinn Stadium. Muddy River…

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Blue Devils kick into high gear, pull away from Redbirds over final three quarters for another victory

Quincy High School linebacker Ben Schelp, left, pressures Alton quarterback Riley Smith during the first half of Friday night’s game at Flinn Stadium. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — Alton matched the Quincy High School football team big play for big play through the opening 12 minutes Friday night. The final 36 minutes, not so much. The Blue Devils clung to a slim 14-13 lead after a slog of a first quarter that took 50 minutes to play because of penalties, incomplete…

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Crim: Clay’s emergence as offensive threat gives Blue Devils another weapon in loaded arsenal

Quincy High School senior Rico Clay, who has committed to Illinois State University to play cornerback, is showing he will have a significant impact this season as a wide receiver as well. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Rico Clay proved he could be a defensive force for the Quincy High School football team in last season’s opener against Quincy Notre Dame when he intercepted two passes, returned the first for a touchdown and came within 5 yards of doing the same with the second. This season, he displayed his offensive…

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Raiders exact revenge for classmates, beat Blue Devils in Early Bird Tournament title match

The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball players react to winning a point during the championship match of the QHS Early Bird Tournament against Quincy High School at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Less than 24 hours after the Quincy High School football team routed Quincy Notre Dame by four touchdowns, senior setter Annie Eaton and the QND volleyball team wanted to make amends. “Our football team didn’t have the greatest outcome, so we wanted to come out and show that volleyball’s got it,” Eaton said.…

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND volleyball teams reach title match of Early Bird Tournament

The Quincy High School volleyball team reacts to winning a point during a match Saturday at the QHS gym in the Early Bird Tournament. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — It turned into a weekend of crosstown showdowns. One day after the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame football teams squared off at Advance Physical Therapy Field, the volleyball teams navigated their way through pool…

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‘I’m excited to see us get better’: Blue Devils overcome miscues with ballyhooed offense attack, beat Raiders in season opener

Quincy High School wide receiver Rico Clay celebrates after hauling in a 40-yard touchdown pass for the Blue Devils' first score in Friday night's 40-12 victory over Quincy Notre Dame at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Quarterback Bradyn Little admits the Quincy High School offense still has a few kinks to iron out. “Too many penalties, too many turnovers,” he said. “But we’ll clean those up. The only way to get experience is by playing games. I’m excited to see us get better.” Pardon future opponents for not sharing…

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND square off in first week of high school football season

The captains and coaches from the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame football teams meet at midfield before Friday's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photo,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame football programs showcased some mettle and moxie, but it was the Blue Devils’ athleticism and depth that made the difference in a season-opening 40-12 victory at Advance Physical…

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Countdown to kickoff: Blue Devils need ‘to be starving’ for more success and to make more history

Quincy High School quarterback Bradyn Little, left, and running back Jeraius Rice Jr. provide the Blue Devils with a pair of playmakers for a high-octane offense. | Shane Hulsey photo

Coverage of the QHS football program is brought to you by: QUINCY — An album released 40 years ago that produced a pair of iconic rock anthems could find its way back into circulation around the Quincy High School football locker room if for no other reason than the title alone. It’s unlikely the Blue…

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QHS soccer team wants to be in position to use home-field advantage in postseason

Senior midfielder Andrew Brown will be one of the leaders for the Quincy High School boys soccer team. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Could history repeat itself? Nine years ago — the last time the Quincy High School boys soccer team hosted a Class 3A regional — the Blue Devils knocked off top-seeded Collinsville 1-0 in the regional title game, a victory that catapulted them to a state runner-up finish. This season, the Blue Devils finally…

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Mind over matter: Blue Devils looking to bring right mental focus to pursuit of postseason success

Quincy High School senior hitter Ayanna Douglas will be a versatile part of the Blue Devils' attack. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — From her time playing college volleyball, Kate Brown understands the mental battles student-athletes go through. “I was terrible with mental toughness,” Brown said. “I would get so mad at myself. It wasn’t necessarily at my team, it was at me for not doing the things I know how to do.” That personal experience…

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St. Clair setting example of perseverance and drive for QHS golf teammates to follow

Quincy High School junior Hunter St. Clair shot a 1-over 36 on the back nine at Westview Golf Course on Saturday to finish in the top 10 at the 75th Quincy Invitational. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Hunter St. Clair sees his game improving daily. He wants his younger teammates to see that as well and follow suit. The Quincy High School junior golfer played the back nine Saturday in 1-over 36 and closed his round of 4-over 75 with a birdie on the par-4 18th hole to secure a…

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Photo gallery: Golfers try to tame Westview Golf Course during 75th Quincy Invitational

Quincy Notre Dame's Beau Eftink, right, talks with Raiders coach Brian Hendrian as they walk the 18th fairway during a three-way playoff for individual medalist honors Saturday in the 75th Quincy Invitational at Westview Golf Course. | Matt Schuckman photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photo,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — It took breaking 80 on a windy, humid Saturday at Westview Golf Course to crack the top 20 in the 75th Quincy Invitational. It took flirting with breaking par to be at the top. Solid ball…

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Photo gallery: Week Zero scrimmages give QHS, QND football teams dress rehearsals

The Quincy Notre Dame football team's defense stacks up a Decatur St. Teresa wide receiver during Friday night's scrimmage at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photo,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — A change to the preseason format from Illinois High School Association member schools allowed football teams to engage in 48-play, controlled scrimmages Friday night for what were being called “Week Zero” games ahead of next Friday’s…

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Blue Devils need to be Reddy and able to take on challenges their inexperienced lineup faces

Quincy High School junior Anika Reddy's success as a sophomore should catapult her to being a contender for state tournament berth this fall. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Quincy High School girls tennis coach Mike Terry knew he could pencil Amelia Willing and twins Lily and Phoebe Hayes in his lineup the last four seasons. That comfort level is gone now that the trio has graduated. “We have a lot of work to do,” Terry said. “We’re playing challenge matches to…

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Cross country primer: Wealth of returnees boost expectations for Hannibal, Monroe City girls

Monroe City's Bradi Keller, left, and Liberty's Lane Obert are expected to be among the top cross country runners in the area this fall. | Muddy River Sports file photos

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Before answering the obvious question, Hannibal cross country coach Jim Coniglio paused. Then he took a deep breath. Then he smiled. “Yes, I’m optimistic,” he said. “I’m 100 percent optimistic.” Coniglio’s enthusiasm is easy to understand. The Hannibal girls return all but one of their top seven runners from a team that…

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Young guns: Underclassmen lead pack during season-opening D.A. Weibring Invitational

Pittsfield sophomore Isaac McGlauchlen, right, chats with Saukees coach Jack Palmer while waiting on a teebox during Thursday's D.A. Weibring Invitational at Westview Golf Course. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — If the scores from Thursday’s season-opening D.A. Weibring Invitational are any indication, the area boys golf scene is going to be highly competitive for years to come. Three sophomores and a freshman claimed four of the top five individual spots and a pair of freshmen posted scores that helped Illini West capture the…

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Photo gallery: Golfers open season in D.A. Weibring Invitational at Westview Golf Course

Quincy Notre Dame freshman Keeden Orpet-Hulett chips from the greenside bunker on No. 2 at Westview Golf Course during Thursday's season-opening D.A. Weibring Invitational. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The flag officially dropped Thursday on the start of the high school sports season. The traditional boys golf lidlifter — the D.A. Weibring Invitational — took place at Westview Golf Course with Illini West winning the team title with a 322 total and Pittsfield sophomore Isaac McGlauchlen taking individual medalist honors with an…

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Walbring, Blue Devils look to regain spot atop WB6 and become girls golf regional contenders

Quincy High School's Ashley Walbring will lead the Blue Devils in their pursuit of a Western Big 6 Conference championship. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — While the Quincy High School girls golf team may not be the favorites to sit atop the Western Big 6 Conference throne, second-year coach Tommy Hosteng wants to at least give the other schools a scare. “I want to challenge everyone else, give them hell,” Hosteng said. Being the underdog is unfamiliar territory…

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Championship mentality: Quincy’s Nicholson helps AAU squad win national title while keeping her focus on improving

Quincy's Khloe Nicholson, second from right in front row, helped the Missouri Phenom 15U team win the EYBL Nike Nationals championship last month in Chicago. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — All of the windshield time her parents amassed this summer allowed 14-year-old Khloe Nicholson to catch up on two important necessities. “Sleep and watch TV,” she said. Specifically, that meant watching Netflix. “I was a little of everything,” she said. “I liked ‘Cobra Kai.’” But unlike Daniel LaRusso in “The Karate Kid” —…

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Record-setting QHS quarterback values relationship built with QU coach, commits to play for Hawks

Quincy High School quarterback Bradyn Little, left, and Quincy University coach Jason Killday talk during one of the Hawks' spring practices. Little verbally committed to QU on Friday. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Each Quincy University football practice Bradyn Little attended last spring allowed the Quincy High School quarterback to foster a stronger relationship with first-year Hawks coach Jason Killday. “I know who he is,” Little said. With that comes a level of comfortability that can’t be matched. “I trust him,” Little said. “That’s big for…

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Strong sense of family at Austin Peay leads Blue Devils’ Clay to commit to play for Governors

Quincy High School senior guard Dom Clay's play this summer with the Michael Porter Jr. Elite AAU program helped land him a scholarship offer from Austin Peay State University. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

QUINCY — Dom Clay’s junior season with the Quincy High School boys basketball team ended with a lot of people curious where his natural gifts and improving consistency might take him. They now know. It’s carrying him to the NCAA Division I level. The 6-foot-3 Clay recently committed to Austin Peay State University, making him…

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Laying down the turf: A look at the installation of the new surface at Flinn Stadium

A member of the construction crew installing the new artifical turf surface at Flinn Stadium finishes rolling out one strip of turf Friday afternoon. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Flinn Stadium’s turf field is getting a facelift. Work has been ongoing throughout the summer to lay down a new artificial turf surface at Quincy High School’s venerable outdoor facility, and this week, crews began putting strips of turf in place. It replaces a surface that was installed in 2011 and had exceeded…

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‘We just did that’: Pair of inside-the-park home runs leads Illinois past Missouri in all-star game

Quincy High Schol product Jansen Lawson, center, gets congratulated after hitting an inside-the-park home run during Saturday's Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game at the Veterans Sports Complex in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Jansen Lawson couldn’t possibly do it, too, could he? Yes, he could. And he did. After Quincy High School graduate Brady Lowe hit an inside-the-park grand slam in the top of the first inning of Saturday’s Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game at the Veterans Sports Complex, Lawson, also a former Blue Devil,…

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Quincy’s Jackson among latest class of inductees into WIU Hall of Fame

Quincy High School Hall of Fame basketball player Monzel Jackson will be inducted into the Western Illinois University Hall of Fame in October. | Photo courtesy QHS Hall of Fame

MACOMB, Ill. — A Quincy High School Hall of Fame basketball player’s name is being added to the pantheon of Western Illinois University’s greatest athletes. Monzel Jackson, a 1949 QHS graduate, will be inducted posthumously into the WIU Hall of Fame this fall. Jackson is one of four individuals and one team to comprise the…

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California dreamin’: Player development key reason QHS’s Longcor commits to Santa Clara

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III committed to Santa Clara last week and will head into his final season with the Blue Devils on the verge of becoming one of the top 10 scorers in program history. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The map shows Santa Clara, Calif., is nearly 2,000 miles away, but Bradley Longcor III doesn’t see it as being nearly that far. “We realized the plane flight is four hours,” the Quincy High School basketball standout said. “The other schools recruiting me are four hours away, too, except that’s a car ride…

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Offensive MVP only part of what made Shrine Game experience special for QHS’s Flachs

Quincy High School offensive lineman Chris Flachs, who is headed to play at Quincy University, was named the offensive MVP for the blue squad in last Saturday's Illinois High School Shrine Game in Bloomington, Ill. | Photo courtesy Illinois High School Shrine Game

QUINCY — Had the week been solely about football and showcasing his talents for a state-wide audience, Chris Flachs would have walked away satisfied. The heart-felt moments that accompanied playing the game he loves sent him home humbled. The recent Quincy High School graduate and soon-to-be Quincy University freshman offensive lineman took part in the…

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Schuckman: Devilishly good decade coming to end for trio of QHS basketball teammates

Three Quincy High School teammates — Cam Brown, left, Ralph Wires, second from right, and Tyler Sprick, right — will play their final game together Saturday in the third annual Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Before the Lil’ Devils program brought them together, before they spent 10 consecutive winters running side-by-side, there were games in the YMCA basketball league where Ralph Wires, Tyler Sprick and Cam Brown were on opposite sides. “I tore them apart per usual,” Wires said with a mischievous, sarcastic grin. His ability to dart…

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QHS, QND girls soccer programs rack up all-sectional honors from IHSSCA

Quincy Notre Dame junior forward Makayla Patton, right, and Quincy High School senior midfielder Bri Lannerd both received Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association all-sectional honors. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The stability and strength of the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer teams — their spines — received a plethora of postseason accolades. Three Blue Devils and two Raiders were named to the all-sectional team by the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association, to go along with each team picking…

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‘The closing chapter’: Three Blue Devils reunite at Muddy River Showcase for final game together

From left, Leila Dade, Leah Chevalier and Taylor Fohey | Shane Hulsey photos

QUINCY — Eight years of playing basketball together will come to an end for Leah Chevalier, Leila Dade and Taylor Fohey on Saturday. Their friendship will last far beyond that. The three Quincy High School graduates will play together for the final time Saturday in the Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College’s Student…

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Central’s Paben, QHS’s Flachs to play in 50th Illinois High School Shrine Game

Quincy High School lineman Chris Flachs, who is a member of the Quincy University football program's incoming freshman class, will play in the Illinois High School Shrine Game on June 15 at Illinois Wesleyan's Tucci Stadium in Bloomington, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A pair of local prep football standouts and a couple of Quincy University recruits have been invited to play in the 50th Illinois High School Shrine Game, an all-star event taking place June 15 in Bloomington. Camp Point Central running back/defensive back Drew Paben and Quincy High School lineman Chris Flachs will represent…

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Blue Devils struggle defensively in loss to Lancers in Class 4A regional championship game

Quincy High School pitcher Carlee Gilker allowed only three hits and no earned runs in two innings of work, but errors defensively behind her led to Belleville East scoring seven runs off Gilker in a 10-0 victory in the Class 4A Belleville East Regional championship. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — When things began unraveling for the Quincy High School softball team, there was no chance of reeling it back in. The Blue Devils committed four errors and allowed seven unearned runs in the first two innings Saturday, leading to a 10-0 loss to top-seeded Belleville East in the championship game of the…

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Redbirds capitalize on free bases in knocking Blue Devils out in regional semifinals

Quincy High School left fielder Tykell Hammers had three hits and drove in two runs in the Blue Devils' 11-7 loss to Alton on Thursday in the semifinals of the Class 4A Alton Regional. | Matt Schuckman photo

ALTON, Ill. — The Quincy High School baseball team erased a three-run deficit once. Doing it twice was asking too much, especially when giving away free bases. Trailing Alton 3-0 after two innings in Thursday’s Class 4A Alton Regional semifinal, the Blue Devils rallied to take a 5-3 lead going into the bottom of the…

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Blue Devils win first postseason game since 2012, ride confidence into regional title tilt

Quincy High School junior pitcher Carlee Gilker tossed a three-hit shutout Wednesday as the Blue Devils beat Collinsville 11-0 in the semifinals of the Class 4A Belleville East Regional in Belleville, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — The confidence the Quincy High School softball team carried into the postseason enabled the Blue Devils to do something Wednesday night that hadn’t happened in a dozen years. It also affords them the chance to accomplish something that hasn’t happened since the Illinois High School Association went to the four-class system at…

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School record, state medals highlight final day of Illinois girls track and field championships

Quincy High School's Sasha Betz competes in the 100-meter dash in the wheelchair division of the Illinois girls state track and field championships Saturday at O'Brien Stadium in Charleston, Ill. | Photo courtesy Clark Brooks, PhotoNews Media

CHARLESTON, Ill. — A school record to go along with a state medal isn’t too shabby of a way to end the season. The Camp Point Central girls 4×100-meter relay team accomplished that feat Saturday at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Stadium, finishing in fifth place at the Class 1A state track and field championships.  The…

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Around the area: Blue Devils share WB6 tennis title, Pirates fall in districts, Wolves win one-run marathon

The Quincy High School boys tennis team shared the Western Big 6 Conference championship with Rock Island Alleman. | Submitted photo

GENESEO, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys tennis team made its lead last at the Western Big 6 Conference championships despite the continued dominance of Rock Island Alleman junior Nick Patrick. The Blue Devils placed two singles players in top four and the doubles tandem of Anderson Knapp and Jason Derian finished third, giving…

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Reddy’s injury causes QHS boys tennis team to shuffle lineup heading into WB6 championships

Quincy High School's Surya Reddy watches his teammates during Tuesday's match against Quincy Notre Dame. Reddy suffered a fractured pinky and will sit out the remainder of the season. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Surya Reddy immediately knew something was wrong. During his No. 2 singles match in the Western Big 6 Conference regular-season finale against Galesburg on Monday, Reddy retreated to chase down a long ball from the Silver Streaks’ Keaton Empey. “I tripped and fell, then I put my (left) hand out to brace myself,”…

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Trinh caps career in style, Blue Devils sweep season series with Raiders

Quincy High School's Preston Trinh teamed up with Trevor Nelson wto win their No. 2 doubles match against Quincy Notre Dame on Tuesday at the Greeman Tennis Center in Reservoir Park. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Preston Trinh’s swan song was a beautiful tune. Trinh, a senior, has played in the Quincy High School varsity boys tennis team’s lineup since he was a freshman. He played at No. 5 singles and No. 3 doubles last season, but he has been shuffled out of the Blue Devils’ lineup this season. …

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND battle in tennis dual at Reservoir Park

Quincy High School's Anderson Knapp, left, shakes hands with Quincy Notre Dame's Alex Strong, center, and Daniel Dyer following their doubles match Tuesday at the Greeman Tennis Center in Reservoir Park. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys tennis team swept the season series from Quincy Notre Dame, winning Tuesday’s dual 8-1 at the Greeman Tennis Center in Reservoir Park. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was at Reservoir Park and put together this photo gallery:

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Taylor dazzles in 12-strikeout effort to lead Blue Devils to WB6 split

Quincy High School right-hander Kyle Taylor struck out 12 in Monday's 7-0 victory at Sterling in Western Big 6 Conference action. | Matt Schuckman photo

STERLING, Ill. — Kyle Taylor’s final Western Big 6 Conference start will go down as his best. The senior right-hander tossed a one-hit shutout Monday in leading the Quincy High School baseball team to a 7-0 victory over Sterling and a split of the conference doubleheader. The Golden Warriors won the opener 15-0. Taylor struck…

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‘You have to stay technical’: QHS throwers learning to compete in javelin

Quincy High School's Xander Colombo threw the javelin for the first time in competition during last week's Mark Twain/Becky Thatcher Relays in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Prior to last Tuesday’s Mark Twain/Becky Thatcher Relays at Hannibal’s Porter Stadium, Quincy High School junior Xander Colombo could count on one hand the amount of times he had thrown a javelin. “That was only my third or fourth time throwing this thing,” said Colombo, holding the javelin in his left hand. Still,…

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Blue Devils take it to limit to secure 20th conference championship in program history

EAST MOLINE, Ill. — Before leaving Flinn Stadium on Friday night, Quincy High School girls soccer coach Travis Dinkheller told his leg-weary team he needed 80 more quality minutes from them to complete a weekend sweep. “If it takes 100, then we’ll play 100,” Dinkheller said. How prophetic. Saturday’s Western Big 6 Conference championship showdown…

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Halfway home: Blue Devils hope to make weekend complete with WB6 crown after finishing season sweep of Raiders

Quincy High School's Bri Lannerd, left, battles Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton, center, and Addie Flesch for a ball in the air during Friday night's game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Just how much the Quincy High School girls soccer players fully embrace the “do hard better” mantra will become obvious by the time their team bus departs East Moline sometime Saturday afternoon. Nothing the Blue Devils have faced this regular season will be as hard as playing two emotionally charged games in the…

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