Photo Gallery: Five players score in double figures as QND boys basketball enjoys perfect weekend

From left, Quincy Notre Dame's Noah Lunt and Connor Young fight for possession of a loose ball with Gateway STEM's Kevin Spencer during first-half action on Saturday night of a boys basketball game in the Gully Transportation Shootout in The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team finishes its opening weekend with a perfect record after defeating Gateway STEM 76-54 on Saturday night during the Gully Transportation Basketball Shootout to improve to 2-0. Alex Dance led the Raiders with 13 points, and Aden Genenbacher scored 11 points. Jace Allensworth, Jackson Connoyer and Jackson…

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Unselfish Raiders get 10 players in scoring column during victory over McCluer in season opener

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore Jace Allensworth dribbles down the lane during Friday night's boys basketball game against McCluer at the Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Kevin Meyer said he didn’t expect Quincy Notre Dame’s boys basketball team “to be perfect” on opening night. But minus a few rough-around-the-edges stretches, the Raiders’ first game was not too shabby. “I’m excited about this season,” said Meyer, beginning his ninth year as coach at 10th and Jackson. “Our players have checked…

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In-your-face defense never goes out of style for QND girls basketball team

Quincy Notre Dame’s Jenna Durst, background left, and Marie Eversman force a jump ball with Belleville Althoff’s Emilee Travnicek during Friday night’s girls basketball game in the Gully Transportation Shootout in The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The players may graduate, but the in-your-face style the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball program plays year-to-year doesn’t seem to go anywhere. The Raiders’ suffocating defense once again was on display in their 52-27 win over Belleville Althoff in Friday’s start to the two-night Gully Transportation Shootout at The Pit. QND (3-0) forced…

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Photo Gallery: QND boys use 16-0 run to start game in season opener at The Pit

Quincy Notre Dame's Tyler Bozarth, left, drives past McCluer's Tereze Williams during Friday night's boys basketball game at the Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Sophomore Jace Allensworth scored 14 points in the first half and finished with 18 in the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team’s 60-41 victory over McCluer in the season opener on Friday night during the Gully Transportation Shootout in The Pit. MRN Editor David Adam caught some of the action.

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Photo Gallery: QND girls force 32 turnovers in victory over Belleville Althoff

Quincy Notre Dame's Ari Buehler, right, goes up with her left hand for a layup while Belleville Althoff's Riley Fairborn defends during Friday night's game in the Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team remained unbeaten after three games with a 52-27 victory over Belleville Althoff on Friday night during the Gully Transportation Shootout in The Pit. Tristan Pieper led the Raiders with 13 points and Sage Stratton added 11. QND forced 32 turnovers by the Crusaders. MRN Editor David…

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2023 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: Tom VanderBor

Tom VanderBor has been a teacher at Quincy Notre Dame and a youth basketball coach since 1991. | Photo courtesy QND Hall of Fame

Editor’s Note: Quincy Notre Dame will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 2023 QND Tip-Off Tourney at The Pit. Below is the biography used by the QND Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — When Tom VanderBor came to Quincy…

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2023 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: Rachel Stuckman

Rachel (Powers) Stuckman was a two-time state golf medalist at Quincy Notre Dame. | Photo courtesy QND Hall of Fame

Editor’s Note: Quincy Notre Dame will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 2023 QND Tip-Off Tourney at The Pit. Below is the biography used by the QND Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — Rachel (Powers) Stuckman, a 2010 graduate,…

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2023 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: 2004 football team

The 2004 Quincy Notre Dame football team reached the Class 4A state semifinals. | Photo courtesy QND Hall of Fame

Editor’s Note: Quincy Notre Dame will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 2023 QND Tip-Off Tourney at The Pit. Below is the biography used by the QND Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — The 2004 Quincy Notre Dame football…

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2023 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: Jack Cornell

Quincy Notre Dame offensive lineman Jack Cornell went from an all-state blocker to an NFL lineman. | Photo courtesy QND Hall of Fame

Editor’s Note: Quincy Notre Dame will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 2023 QND Tip-Off Tourney at The Pit. Below is the biography used by the QND Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — Before Jack Cornell strolled the sidelines…

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2023 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: John Sparrow

Editor’s Note: Quincy Notre Dame will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 2023 QND Tip-Off Tourney at The Pit. Below is the biography used by the QND Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — John Sparrow, a 1995 graduate, was…

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2023 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: Jordan Frericks Kvitle

Jordan Frericks Kvitle graduated from Quincy Notre Dame in 2013 as the girls basketball program's all-time leader in points, steals and rebounds. | Photo submitted by QND Hall of Fame

Editor’s Note: Quincy Notre Dame will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 2023 QND Tip-Off Tourney at The Pit. Below is the biography used by the QND Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — As a sophomore, Jordan Frericks Kvitle…

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

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

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

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‘We never lost faith and we never gave in’: Resilient effort not enough to keep Raiders’ postseason run alive

Quincy Notre Dame running back Ivan Hun, left, gets hit by a Nashville defender during Saturday's Class 2A second-round playoff game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The team which grasped onto a flicker of hope weeks ago and let it light the way to the playoffs tried everything imaginable Saturday to keep that flame from dying out. Still, the Quincy Notre Dame football players discovered what flickers usually fades away. Nashville brought the extinguisher. An Isaac Blazier 5-yard touchdown…

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Photo gallery: QND fights to overcome first-half deficit, falls short in second-round playoff loss

Quincy Notre Dame's Gavin Doellman, left, heads into the end zone on a 15-yard touchdown during the second half of Saturday's Class 2A second-round playoff game against Nashville at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Quincy Notre Dame senior center Ben Schwartz called the never-give-in attitude of the QND football team is tradition. Saturday, the Raiders upheld the tradition, battling until the final snap in a 27-18 loss to Nashville in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman was at Advance…

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

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

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

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Reaching second round of playoffs doesn’t change Raiders’ approach to practice and prep

Junior linebacker Taylin Scott, left, and senior linebacker Reese Frericks have been important parts of the Raiders' defensive effort. | Muddy River Sports file photo

QUINCY — Jack Brenner noticed one significant difference when it came to practicing in November for the first time. “It’s a little cold,” the Quincy Notre Dame junior defensive back said as temperatures dipped to 40 degrees on Wednesday night. There was another significant difference, too. “It’s the playoffs,” Brenner said. “Everything is a little…

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Raiders’ Cann gives QND boys soccer program 10 straight seasons with all-state honoree

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Leo Cann became the Raiders' 10th all-state selection in the last 10 seasons and finished his career with 69 career goals. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Leo Cann makes it a perfect 10. The senior forward on the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team received all-state honors from the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association, marking the 10th straight season a QND player has earned all-state plaudits. “That’s a pretty good run,” QND coach Greg Reis said. Cann led…

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Crim: High school football postseason games offering intriguing storylines

Quincy Notre Dame coach Jack Cornell gives a fiery speech to his players following their 21-14 victory over Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs last Saturday. | Photo courtesy Steve Hoffman

QUINCY — High school playoff potpourri: • Quincy Notre Dame is nothing if not resilient. The Raiders easily could have played out the string after losing back-to-back winnable games against Southern Boone and Columbia (Mo.) Father Tolton to fall to 1-5, seemingly extinguishing their postseason chances. Instead, they won their final three games in convincing…

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Carrying the right tune: Raiders’ resiliency leads to comeback, first-round upset of Knights

Quincy Notre Dame's Noah Alger gets dragged down from behind by Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond's Payton Warrior during Saturday's Class 2A first-round playoff game in Arthur, Ill. | Photo courtesy Steve Hoffman

ARTHUR, Ill. — From his seat at the front of the charter bus, as it worked its way across county roads in search of a four-lane highway, Jack Cornell could hear the music blaring and the Quincy Notre Dame football players singing loudly behind him. He sat there and smiled. “This is what you do…

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‘We just didn’t show up to play’: Macomb steamrolls mistake-prone QND in regional final

Quincy Notre Dame setter Annie Eaton, left, watches the Macomb volleyball team celebrate after the final point in the Bombers' 25-18, 25-14 loss on Thursday night in The Hangar at Macomb High School. | David Adam photo

MACOMB, Ill. — Senior Delaney Beard had a difficult time comprehending what had happened. Quincy Notre Dame had been dominant this season, losing just 14 sets while winning 32 out of 36 matches and earning the No. 1 seed in the Class 2A girls volleyball regional. The Raiders only needed to beat fifth-seeded Macomb, which…

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‘I felt threatened, and I felt violated’: QND coach berated in locker room by parents after regional title match loss

Quincy Notre Dame girls volleyball coach Courtney Kvitle walks the sideline during the first set of Thursday's Class 2A regional championship game at the Hangar at Macomb High School. | David Adam photo

MACOMB, Ill. — Quincy Notre Dame volleyball coach Courtney Kvitle went into the locker room for a talk no coach wants to have after a disappointing 25-18, 25-14 loss to Macomb in Thursday night’s Class 2A regional championship game at the Hangar at Macomb High School. However, Kvitle’s final words with her team were interrupted when…

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Photo Gallery: Macomb uses 17-4 run to close out first set, blow away QND in second set

Macomb's Kathryn Lukkarinen, right, spikes the ball around the block of Quincy Notre Dame's Lauren Hummel, left, and Annie Eaton, middle, during Thursday night's Class 2A regional volleyball championship at the Hangar at Macomb High School. | David Adam photo

MACOMB, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls volleyball team saw its season end Thursday night in a 25-18, 25-14 loss to Macomb in the Hangar on Thursday night at Macomb High School. Macomb (27-9) advances to play No. 2 seed Pleasant Plains in the Class 2A sectional semifinals at 6 p.m. Monday at Pleasant…

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‘Soul-crushing goal’ enables Chargers to upend Raiders, end defense of QND’s state title

Quincy Notre Dame midfielder Rylan Fischer, right, goes flying after battling for possession with Peoria Christian's Myles Zimmerman during Wednesday night's Class 1A sectional championship in Chillicothe, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — The response was swift, sudden and significant. “That was a bit of a soul-crushing goal,” Quincy Notre Dame’s Mason Monteyne said. Title-dashing, too. In the 14th minute of Wednesday night’s Class 1A Chillicothe IVC Sectional championship, senior forward Leo Cann gave the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team a 2-1 lead over…

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Photo gallery: QND, Peoria Christian clash in Class 1A boys soccer sectional championship

Peoria Christian's Caden Schmidgall, left, keeps the ball inbounds while being pressured by Quincy Notre Dame's Mason Monteyne during Wednesday night's Class 1A sectional championship in Chillicothe, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — The reign is over. The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team, the defending Class 1A state champion, was eliminated from the postseason Wednesday night, losing 5-2 to Peoria Christian in the championship game of the Class 1A Chillicothe Sectional. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman was at IVC High School and put…

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QND, Macomb volleyball teams win regional semifinals, will clash for championship

Junior setter Annie Eaton and the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team will face Macomb in the Class 2A regional championship at 6 p.m. Thursday in Macomb, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

MACOMB, Ill. — The rematch is set. The Quincy Notre Dame and Macomb volleyball teams will go head-to-head at 6 p.m. Thursday at The Hangar at Macomb High School to decide the Class 2A regional championship. This will be the fourth meeting in the last two years between two staunch programs. QND beat Macomb in…

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

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

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

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Max-imum effort: Frericks’ save on first PK in shootout carries QND to sectional semifinal win

Quincy Notre Dame goalkeeper Max Frericks dives over the top of Mendota's Isaac Diaz to make the save during the second half of Saturday's Class 1A sectional semifinal in Chillicothe, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — The value of Max Frericks’ presence in goal can’t be overstated or undersold. He’s a game changer. The Mendota boys soccer team became the latest to realize so Saturday in a penalty-kick shootout to decide who plays for a Class 1A sectional championship. The 6-foot-3 Quincy Notre Dame senior goalkeeper stopped the…

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Photo gallery: QND upends Mendota in Class 1A boys soccer sectional semifinals

Quincy Notre Dame's Leo Cann, left, boots a ball past Mendota defender Kaleb Kleckner during Saturday's Class 1A sectional semifinal in Chillicothe, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — One hundred minutes Saturday afternoon wasn’t enough for either the Quincy Notre Dame or Mendota boys soccer team to can any separation. So the recent postseason nemesis went to a penalty kick shootout to decide who advanced. The Raiders won the shootout 4-1, giving them a 3-2 victory and a spot in Wednesday’s…

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Final kick carries QND’s Genenbacher top regional cross country championship

Illini West's Emma Whitaker, left, and Quincy Notre Dame's Abigail Genenbacher run side-by-side during the Class 1A girls regional cross country race Saturday at South Park. | Photo courtesy Jessica Genenbacher

QUINCY — A little dose of “secret sauce” was all Abigail Genenbacher needed. The Quincy Notre Dame senior used a burst to catch and pass frontrunners Chloe Kelly of Monmouth-Roseville and Emma Whitaker of Illini West over the final 50 meters Saturday morning to win the girls individual title in the Class 1A cross country…

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Raiders hold on to hope playoff bid materializes after finishing season with three straight victories

The Quincy Notre Dame football team finished its regular season with a 23-7 victory over John Burroughs on Friday night at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Photo courtesy Jessica Genenbacher

QUINCY — As Collin Altgilbers paraded through the picture line, chatted with friends and family members, and soaked in the final moments following likely the last game on his home field, the Quincy Notre Dame senior lineman tried to find the words to explain what the next 24 hours will be like as the Raiders…

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IHSA nullifies red card issued to QND goalkeeper, making Frericks eligible for sectional semifinal

Quincy Notre Dame senior goalkeeper Max Frericks will play in Saturday's sectional semifinal after the Illinois High School Association overturned the red card he was issued in the regional championship game against Monmouth-Roseville. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Illinois High School Association promotes a sportsmanship program entitled “Do What’s Right!” Thursday, the IHSA followed its own motto and did the right thing. IHSA executive director Craig Anderson and assistant executive director Beth Sauser acknowledged the red card issued to QND goalkeeper Max Frericks during the second of the boys soccer…

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‘I’ll be grateful forever’: QND seniors relish opportunity to be part of football program

Quincy Notre Dame's Aiden Klauser, a senior wide receiver and cornerback, will play his final regular season game at Advance Physical Therapy Field on Friday night against John Burroughs. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — While there is a miniscule chance it could sneak into the Illinois high school playoffs with a 4-5 record by beating John Burroughs at home Friday night, the Quincy Notre Dame football team is treating the game as if it will be the last. “We’re all aware it could be our last game…

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‘Sully’ disposition: Sophomore midfielder’s goal gives QND halftime edge en route to regional title

Quincy Notre Dame's Elliott Hendrian, right, slaps hands with Sullivan Walker after Walker scored late in the first half for the Raiders' first goal in a 5-2 victory over Monmouth-Roseville in the Class 1A regional championship game at Pattee Fields in Monmouth, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

MONMOUTH, Ill. — What Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer coach Greg Reis preaches in practice seems to resonate with his players. At the very least, sophomore midfielder Sullivan “Sully” Walker is listening. “(Reis) has been telling me ever since I scored my first goal to crash the goalie because you’re always there to make something…

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Interpretation of ‘ball in hand’ rule results in red card for QND goalkeeper, could keep Frericks out of sectional semifinal

Quincy Notre Dame senior goalkeeper Max Frericks picks up a ball rolling toward him during Wednesday's Class 1A regional championship against Monmouth-Roseville at Pattee Fields in Monmouth, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

MONMOUTH, Ill. — The definition of a “ball in hand” is going to determine if Max Frericks will be the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team’s starting goalkeeper come Saturday. Right now, sophomore Carter Hankins needs to be ready to fill that role. Frericks, the senior goalkeeper who was the backstop on last year’s Class…

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Emotional end to home slate comes with Raiders finishing off perfect season at The Pit

The Quincy Notre Dame defense blocks a shot by Quincy High School outside hitter Kaley Summers during Monday night's match at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Pit provided the perfect atmosphere to goodbye, even if it had Emma Hoing shedding tears. “I was so emotional tonight,” Hoing said. “I cried.” She also delivered. A senior outside hitter on the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team, Hoing threw down a team-leading eight kills to power the Raiders to a 25-19,…

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND volleyball teams square off in front of raucous crowd at The Pit

Quincy Notre Dame middle blocker Eva Breckenkamp, left, hammers a kills past the block of Quincy High School's defense during Monday night's match at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Two rambunctious student sections, splashes of pink throughout the gym and lively play on both sides of the net made for an entertaining crosstown showdown Monday night at The Pit. The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team capped an undefeated regular season at home with a 25-19, 25-15 victory over Quincy High School on…

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QHS, QND each sending doubles team to state tennis tournament

The Quincy High School doubles team of Phoebe and Lily Hayes finished fourth at the Class 2A Belleville West Sectional and will play in the state tournament. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A pair of doubles teams will represent Quincy at the girls state tennis tournaments this weekend in the Chicago suburbs. In Class 2A, the Quincy High School senior tandem of Lily and Phoebe Hayes finished fourth at the Belleville West Sectional, while the Quincy Notre Dame duo of Morgan Zanger and Kaitlyn Brown…

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No Reis, no worries: Raiders open state title defense with whitewashing of Tornadoes

The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team looks to capitalize on a ball played into the box during Saturday's Class 1A regional semifinal against Abingdon-Avon in Monmouth, Ill. | Photo courtesy Frank Cann

MONMOUTH, Ill. — If Greg Reis had any long-distance concerns, all he would have had to do is pull out his phone and take one glance at social media to alleviate them quite quickly. The updates, like the goals, came fast and furious. The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer coach missed Saturday’s postseason opener in…

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QND continues to finish season with flourish, buries Soldan with first-quarter TD flurry

The Quincy Notre Dame defense pitched its first shutout of the season Friday night, beating St. Louis Soldan 55-0 at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman file photo

QUINCY — The playoff hopes might be slim and the likelihood of the season ending in one week may be setting in, but the Quincy Notre Dame football team continues to play as if there’s plenty more at stake. For the second consecutive week, the Raiders dominated the opponent in front of them. QND scored…

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QND’s Eftink joins select company with runner-up finish at Class 1A state golf tournament

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore Beau Eftink fired a 1-under 71 during Saturday's second round of the Class 1A state tournament at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, Ill., and finished as the state runner-up. | Photo courtesy Brian Hendrian

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Beau Eftink learned the value of patience through the agony of waiting Saturday afternoon. The Quincy Notre Dame sophomore golfer posted a 1-under 71 in the second round of the Class 1A state tournament at Prairie Vista Golf Course and was the clubhouse leader at 1-over 145 when he finished his round.…

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Raiders rebound to finish sixth at state golf tourney, Chargers’ Bruns shoots 73

Brown County's Rioth Wort lines up a putt during the second round of the Class 1A state golf tournament at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, Ill. | Photo courtesy Greg Wort

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Saturday turned into a bounce-back day for the Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team and several area golfers. After tying for eighth and narrowly making the cut following the first round of the Class 1A state tournament at Prairie Vista Golf Course, the Raiders shot the third lowest round of the day,…

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Raiders dominate Bulldogs from start to finish as Hun, special teams make big plays

The Quincy Notre Dame defense limited Decatur St. Teresa to just six first downs and 122 total yards in Friday night's 55-6 victory in Decatur, Ill. | Photo courtesy Jessica Genenbacher

DECATUR, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame football team made sure this game didn’t slip away. After back-to-back near misses that dashed their playoff hopes, the Raiders put together their finest overall performance of the season Friday night to swamp defending Class 2A state champion Decatur St. Teresa 55-6. QND dominated from start to finish…

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Whipping wind blows QND boys golf team’s chances off course in opening round at state

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore Beau Eftink fired a 2-over 74 and sits tied for fifth after the first round of the Class 1A state golf tournament at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, Ill. | Matt Schuckman file photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Quincy Notre Dame boys golf coach Brian Hendrian was monitoring the barrage of birdies coming from the first wave of golfers to hit Prairie Vista Golf Course on Friday morning when he received a text message. Michael Venvertloh’s father, Bruce, let Hendrian know his senior golfer had holed out for an eagle…

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No cramping his style: Dede scores game-winner as Blue Devils fend off Raiders in city rivalry game

Quincy High School's Andrew Brown hugs teammate Nolan Dede after Dede scored the go-ahead goal in Thursday night's 3-2 victory over Quincy Notre Dame at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Nolan Dede wanted to join the celebration, but that required getting to his feet and ignoring his cramping right calf. “It was such a conflict of emotions,” he said. “There was the pain and there was the excitement.” And there was the magnitude of the moment. Dede’s header off an Evan Sohn restart…

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND boys soccer teams split city series

Quincy High School defender Nolan Dede, left, tries to take away any attack angle from Quincy Notre Dame striker Leo Cann during Thursday night's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The seniors on the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer teams had different goals in mind Thursday night. The Blue Devils sought their first victory in the city series during the seniors’ four-year careers, while the Raiders’ Class of 2024 was looking to stay undefeated. Nolan Dede’s second-half goal tipped…

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Match-play mentality on back nine carries QND boys golf team to sectional championship

The Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team poses for a team picture after winning the Class 1A Auburn Sectional title Monday at Edgewood Golf Course in Auburn, Ill. | Submitted photo

AUBURN, Ill. — As the Quincy Notre Dame boys golfers made the turn Monday, the situation seemed pretty cut and dry. Beat Bloomington Central Catholic head-to-head and win a sectional championship. Raiders coach Brian Hendrian didn’t shy away from telling his golfers that. “We went out there and played it like a Ryder Cup format…

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Photo gallery: Doubles victories give QHS girls tennis team head-to-head edge against QND

Quincy High School's Anika Reddy returns a shot during her No. 1 singles match against Quincy Notre Dame's Aly Young on Monday at the Greeman Tennis Center in Reservoir Park. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A week after sweeping its crosstown rival in a dual match, the Quincy High School girls tennis team had to fight for a pair of doubles victories to finish off a victory against Quincy Notre Dame on Monday at the Greeman Tennis Center in Reservoir Park. The No. 1 doubles team of Lily…

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Photo gallery: QND, Macomb girls golf teams see seasons end at Class 1A Roxana Sectional

Quincy Notre Dame golfer Meredith Eversman chips from the rough onto the sixth fairway during the Class 1A Roxana girls golf sectional Monday at Belk Park Golf Course in Wood River, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

WOOD RIVER, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls golfers figured Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin was the bona fide favorite to win the Class 1A Roxana Sectional, but after that it would be a dogfight to see which two additional teams qualified for the state tournament. The Raiders didn’t happen to be in that fight at…

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Crim: Raiders’ near misses mean playing for pride instead of playoffs over final three games

Quincy Notre Dame football coach Jack Cornell congratulates his players after a scoring drive last Friday night against Columbia (Mo.) Father Tolton at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Ron Kinscherf photo

QUINCY— The Quincy Notre Dame football team can only think of what might have been. The Raiders were eliminated from playoff consideration Friday night with a 35-28 loss to Columbia (Mo.) Father Tolton at Advance Physical Therapy Field, a game in which they held a 12-point lead five minutes into the second half and seemed…

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Another one-possession loss sinks QND, eliminates any chance of playoff push

The Quincy Notre Dame football team engineers a running play during Friday night's game against Columbia (Mo.) Father Tolton at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Ron Kinscherf photo

QUINCY — Mistakes and missed opportunities will haunt the Quincy Notre Dame football team. The Raiders saw their playoff hopes evaporate Friday night when Columbia (Mo.) Father Tolton scored three touchdowns in a six-minute stretch overlapping the third and fourth quarters to erase a 12-point deficit and post a 35-28 victory at Advance Physical Therapy…

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QND girls golf team’s steady play leaves regional field in a fog as Raiders four-peat as champions

The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team won its fourth consecutive regional championship, beating the field by 29 strokes Thursday at Rolling Greens Golf Course in Mount Sterling. | Submitted photo

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — From the moment the Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team left the school parking lot Thursday morning until the Raiders reached Rolling Greens Golf Course, a dense fog made visibility a challenge. Still, the Raiders never lost sight of their goal. A four-peat. The fog forced an adjustment to the tee…

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Beau knows: Up-and-down for par on No. 18 caps impressive regional round by QND sophomore

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore Beau Eftink sizes up his putt on the par-3 ninth hole Wedesday during the Class 1A QND Regional at Westview Golf Course. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The number of strokes Beau Eftink needed to get up and down from behind the 18th green was going to determine just how pleased he would be with his final score. The moment he hit his chip shot from above the green’s collar, the Quincy Notre Dame sophomore golfer felt a twinge of…

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Photo gallery: Westview Golf Course plays host to Class 1A Quincy Notre Dame boys regional

Quincy Notre Dame's Michael Venvertloh hits out of the bunker on the 10th hole at Westview Golf Course on Wednesday during the Class 1A QND Regional. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Beau Eftink went low, the Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team took advantage of playing on its home course and three teams that had been in the mix all season advanced to the Class 1A Auburn Sectional at Edgewood Golf Course. It turned out to be a remarkable day at Westview Golf Course.…

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Postseason primer: Tournament success preps area golfers for pursuit of state tourney bids

The Hannibal girls golf team won the North Central Missouri Conference championship, a perfect springboard into the postseason, which begins Oct. 6 with the district tournament in Wentzville, Mo. | Photo courtesy HHS golf

QUINCY — The postseason is nigh, and it could be an eventful one on the links. Here are five things to keep in mind as regional play for Illinois boys begins Wednesday and girls Thursday and district play for Missouri girls tees off next week: Minor success, major results for Pirates The growth of the…

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Crim: Four decades later, QND football team’s remarkable turnaround remains impressive

The 1983 Quincy Notre Dame football team finished 8-2 and reached the playoffs. | Photo courtesy QND

QUINCY — It has been 40 years since the Quincy Notre Dame football team engineered one of the biggest one-season turnarounds in school history. The Raiders were coming off back-to-back 2-8 seasons in 1983 and had lost 19 of their previous 23 games, dating to the tail end of the 1980 campaign. It had been…

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Raiders’ chance to snare pivotal road victory kicked aside as Eagles rally in final minute

Quincy Notre Dame running back Ivan Hun, left, rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown Friday night against Southern Boone in Ashland, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

ASHLAND, Mo. — The kind of victory the Quincy Notre Dame football team desperately needed, the kind that alleviates the pressure to be perfect, was within the Raiders’ grasp. In fact, it was only 72 seconds away. That’s when disaster devastated QND. Southern Boone’s Brady Dapkus returned a kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown and…

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Schuckman: Raiders developing edge in middle that could be key component of postseason run

Sophomore middle blocker Eva Breckenkamp is developing into a larger force in the middle of the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team's attack. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It sounds different. It just does. When Eva Breckenkamp drives the volleyball straight down, it thuds. Loudly. People notice. People flinch. People ooh and ahh.  It happens when Emma Hoing powers a kill down the line or when Delaney Beard drives one crosscourt. The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team is blessed with an…

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Photo gallery: QND, Hannibal volleyball teams square off at The Pit

Hannibal's Malia Stolte, left, tries to hit through the block of Quincy Notre Dame's Emma Hoing during Tuesday night's match at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team continued to build a resume that likely will earn the Raiders the No. 1 regional seed with Tuesday night’s 25-16, 25-14 victory over Hannibal at The Pit. Sophomore middle Eva Breckenkamp led the Raiders with eight kills, while senior outside hitter Emma Hoing had seven kills and…

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Complimentary football enables Raiders to earn first victory by shutting out Hawks in second half

Quincy Notre Dame left tackle Jackson Meyer, left, and fullback Daniel Dyer celebrate after the Raiders scored their first touchdown in Saturday's 20-6 victory over Lift for Life Academy at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The situation was less than ideal. The response to it was more than fitting. Now, the Quincy Notre Dame football players can exhale and breathe a little easier. A dominant defensive effort Saturday in which the Raiders forced three turnovers and blocked a punt propelled QND to a 20-6 victory over state-ranked Lift…

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Photo gallery: QND football team beats rain, Lift for Life Academy to enjoy first victory

Quincy Notre Dame middle linebacker Taylin Scott racked up 21 tackles during Saturday's 20-6 victory over Lift for Life Academy at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Nothing could wash away the good vibes the Quincy Notre Dame football team generated Saturday, not even a postgame thunderstorm. The Raiders finished off a 20-6 victory over Lift for Life Academy on Saturday afternoon at Advance Physical Therapy Field before the rain fell, giving QND its first victory of the season and…

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Photo gallery: John Burroughs scores three second-half goals to upend QND soccer team

Quincy Notre Dame forward Leo Cann, right, pushes the ball wide of John Burroughs defender Cooper Desloge during Thursday's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The John Burroughs boys soccer team presented another challenge in what already has been a tasking schedule for Quincy Notre Dame, and the Raiders put the Bombers on their heels in the first half Thursday night at Advance Physical Therapy Field. Leo Cann and Nolan Heck scored in the final 15 minutes of…

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Photo gallery: QND volleyball team sweeps Payson Seymour at The Pit

Quincy Notre Dame's Annie Eaton, left, and Lauren Hummel block a hit by Payson Seymour's Jessica Whipple during Wednesday night's match at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Coming off a second-place finish at the Lincoln Tournament in which it went 4-1 against Class 3A and 4A competition, the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team returned home Wednesday for a West Central Conference matchup with Payson Seymour. A balanced attack that featured three hitters leading the way with five kills apiece led…

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Prairie State Profile: Raiders’ Genenbacher making sure her final run is memorable

Quincy Notre Dame senior cross country runner Abigail Genenbacher heads toward the final stretch during Tuesday's Running Raider Classic at South Park. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Abigail Genenbacher’s final run through South Park proved to be one she could enjoy. The Quincy Notre Dame senior cross country runner dashed her way to a fourth place individual finish Tuesday in the Running Raider Classic, clocking a time of 21 minutes, 17 seconds. “I felt a lot of really great energy,”…

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Photo gallery: Schuering, Blue Devils run to titles at Running Raider Classic

Quincy High School's Olivia Schuering took first place in the girls race Tuesday during the Running Raider Classic at South Park. Schuering was the only runner to break 20 minutes, finishing in 19 minutes, 55 seconds. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Olivia Schuering set the pace and her teammates followed suit. The Quincy High School senior cross country runner won the individual title Tuesday at the Running Raider Classic at South Park, posting a time of 19 minutes, 55 seconds to catapult the Blue Devils to the team title with 30 points. Quincy Notre…

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Prep soccer roundup: QHS falls at home, QND loses twice in tourney, Hannibal finishes second in Pirate Shootout

Quincy High School's Justin Dreyer, left, fights for possession during Saturday's game against O'Fallon at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — For 60 minutes, the Quincy High School boys soccer team played with the poise and passion that could make it a regional contender. The final 20 minutes, however, included miscues that resulted in another loss. O’Fallon scored twice in the closing stretch Saturday, pulling away for a 3-1 victory at Flinn Stadium. The…

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Bulldogs pull away in second half to send Raiders to 0-3 start for first time since 2018

The Quincy Notre Dame defense wraps up Mahomet-Seymour running back Luke Johnson during Friday night's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Photo courtesy Jessica Genenbacher

QUINCY — There may be brighter days ahead for the Quincy Notre Dame football team, but Raiders coach Jack Cornell didn’t mince words when reflecting on his team’s winless start to the season. “Losing is never fun,” Cornell said.     Mahomet-Seymour held QND scoreless in the second half and scored the final 28 points en route…

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Anything you can do, Leo Cann do better: Senior forward’s hat trick lifts Raiders to victory over Blue Devils

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Leo Cann, right, hits a restart over the Quincy High School defensive wall and curls it into the net for the go-ahead goal in the Raiders' 4-2 victory Thursday night at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Leo Cann has played at Flinn Stadium only once each season throughout his high school soccer career. Yet, two of his most memorable moments happened on his rival’s home turf. As a sophomore, Cann scored the lone goal in the second half of the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team’s 1-0 victory against…

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND boys soccer teams collide at Flinn Stadium

Quincy High School defender Nolan Dede goes airborne as QHS goalkeeper Lucas Shepherd covers a loose ball during Thursday night's game against Quincy Notre Dame at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The rivalry continues to be as strong as ever, and the passionate play proved that. The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer teams met for the 103rd time in their intra-city rivalry on Thursday night at Flinn Stadium, with the Raiders scoring three second-half goals to earn a 4-2 victory.…

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Defense digs in to give QND chance, turnovers prove costly in loss to Richmond-Burton

Quincy Notre Dame coach Jack Cornnell, center, will try to lead the Raiders to their first victory next week against Mahomet-Seymour after losing the first two weeks on the road. | Matt Schuckman photo

RICHMOND, Ill. — Everything Quincy Notre Dame football coach Jack Cornell and his staff saw in practice has them convinced better days lie ahead. The effort the Raiders put into Friday night’s trip north backed that up. QND limited Richmond-Burton to to six points in the second half, proved it could move the ball against…

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Game Night Guide: Week 2 of prep football features QHS, QND on road, state-ranked teams at home

Quincy High School offensive lineman Chris Flachs, left, and running back Jeraius Rice will lead the Blue Devils against Alton on Friday night. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Week 2 of the high school football team kicks off Friday night. Here is the slate for area teams, including where you can find the games on the radio or via livestream: Quincy High School (1-0) at Alton (0-1), 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM • WGEM streaming app Did you know?: The…

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Stingy Raiders keep Pirates at bay, make early score stand for one-goal victory

Quincy Notre Dame forward Leo Cann (No. 17) heads the ball into the net off a corner kick for the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Hannibal on Tuesday night at Veterans Field in Hannibal, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal boys soccer team won every statistical category against Quincy Notre Dame in its home opener except one. The scoreboard. Senior forward Leo Cann scored off a Brody Jones corner kick 5 minutes, 48 seconds into the game and goalkeeper Max Frericks recorded 10 saves to enable the Raiders to withstand…

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Photo gallery: QND boys soccer team shuts out Hannibal despite Pirates’ barrage of shots

Hannibal’s Bodie Rollins, left, takes a shot during Tuesday night’s game against Quincy Notre Dame at Veterans Field in Hannibal, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Quincy Notre Dame goalkeeper Max Frericks made 10 saves and was the backbone of a stingy defensive effort that resulted in a 1-0 victory over the Hannibal boys soccer team Tuesday night at Veterans Field. Freelance photographer Mathew Kirby put together this photo gallery from the game:

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Crosstown showdown for tourney title gives Raiders, Blue Devils both boost moving forward

The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball players celebrate with the championship trophy after winning the QHS Early Bird Tournament at the QHS gym on Saturday. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Courtney Kvitle missed an effort that echoed what she preaches. Put the pressure on the opponent. Meanwhile, the Quincy High School volleyball team put forth an effort that echoed everything the Blue Devils are trying to be. Tough, scrappy and unrelenting. It made for an entertaining tournament with a crossdown showdown for the…

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

The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame volleyball teams prepare to start the championship match of the QHS Early Bird Tournament on Saturday at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame volleyball teams swept through pool play and won their semifinal matches in the QHS Early Bird Tournament on Saturday to set up a crossdown showdown for the title. The Raiders won 25-10, 25-19, but both walked away with confidence. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman…

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Rico Suave: QHS junior cornerback emerges as playmaker in crosstown victory against QND

Quincy High School cornerback Rico Clay, right, celebrates in the end zone after returning an interception 47 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter Friday night against Quincy Notre Dame at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Eventually, Rico Clay will remember how everything transpired. In the aftermath of the Quincy High School football team’s season-opening 55-12 victory Friday night over Quincy Notre Dame, the details of Clay’s first career interception and the return that took him to the end zone for his first career touchdown seemed fuzzy. “It sort…

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Photo gallery: QHS beats QND in crosstown showdown to open football season

A Quincy High School team manager pours water over the head of offensive lineman Chris Flachs during a break in action in the second half of Friday night's game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It turned out to be a season opener unlike any other in recent memory, complete with fans waving fans, heat sending an official to the locker room and a pair of Quincy High School juniors showcasing their burgeoning talents Friday night at Flinn Stadium. Tykell Hammers scored three touchdowns, Rico Clay intercepted two…

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One Keck of an effort: Raiders win home opener behind quality serve receive from junior libero

Quincy Notre Dame junior libero Kourtney Keck gets the offense started with a serve receive during the second set of Thursday night's sweep of West Hancock at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — As often as Kourtney Keck sprawled out in an attempt to dig up every shot that came her way, she was bound to leave The Pit on Thursday night with some floor burns. “A couple,” the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team’s junior libero said. She shrugged that off. “That’s not unusual,” she said.…

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Photo gallery: QND volleyball team beats West Hancock in home opener at The Pit

Quincy Notre Dame's Delaney Beard shares a laugh with teammate Emma Hoing during Thursday night's two-set sweep of West Hancock at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team finished off back-to-back victories on back-to-back nights with back-to-back sweeps. The Raiders beat West Hancock 25-8, 25-11 on Thursday night at The Pit to open the season 2-0. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman was at The Pit and put together this photo gallery:

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

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

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

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Athletic directors, coaches preaching caution when dealing with opening-week heat wave

Quincy Notre Dame senior center Ben Schwartz takes a drink of water on the sideline during last Friday's scrimmage at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Experience has taught Matt McClelland to always err on the side of caution. That explains why the Quincy High School boys soccer team’s season opener Tuesday night against Jacksonville was postponed. No makeup date has been set yet, but the Blue Devils and Crimsons intend to play the game once this heat wave…

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Key pieces to the puzzle: Check out five football players who will have significant impacts

Hannibal offensive lineman Ryan Ross, here clearing a path during a district game against Warrenton a year ago, will continue to be a pivotal road grader for the Pirates this season. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

QUINCY — The discussion of the best football player in the area starts and stops with Aneyas Williams. An argument could be made that the Hannibal senior running back, who has committed to the University of Notre Dame, is the top offensive talent in the state of Missouri. If you talk quarterbacks, one name tops…

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Good as Gold: QHS senior golfer shoots even par, helps Blue Devils finish third in own invitational

Quincy High School golfer Gabriel Gold hits his second shot on the par-4 13th hole at Westview Golf Course during Saturday's 74th annual Quincy Invitational. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The moment nearly turned out to be as good as Gold. It still could be transformative. Quincy High School senior golfer Gabriel Gold posted the score to beat at the 74th annual Quincy Invitational on Saturday at Westview Golf Course, birdieing his final two holes to shoot an even-par 71 and walking off…

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Photo gallery: QHS boys golfers’ third-place finish helps highlight 74th annual Quincy Invitational

Quincy High School's Sam Cory hits out of a bunker on the eighth hole at Westview Golf Course during Saturday's 74th annual Quincy Invitational. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Gabriel Gold’s birdie-birdie finish, Konnor Craven’s quality ball-striking, Ty Novosel’s debut and the Quincy High School boys golf team’s third-place finish highlighted the 74th annual Quincy Invitational, played Saturday at Westview Golf Course. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the day on the fairways and in the rough collecting images for this…

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