Posts Tagged ‘Schuck on a Truck’
Schuck on a Truck: Brewer, Tigers enjoy epic season, leading to Player of the Year honors
CANTON, Mo. — Following his team’s Class 2 state championship victory over Canton, Eugene boys basketball coach Brian Wilde suggested Canton senior forward Preston Brewer should be the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 2 Player of the Year. How prohetic. The 6-foot-8 Brewer, who led the Tigers to their state runner-up finish, which was the…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Stratton guides QND girls basketball team to remarkable success, earns Player of the Year honor
QUINCY — Standing in the hallway leading from the locker room to the gym in Illini West High School, Sage Stratton experienced a moment that set her up to be a leader, a contributor and arguably one of Quincy Notre Dame’s all-time greats. The Raiders had just beaten Illini West 40-38 in a battle of…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QU coach Courtney Boyd discusses Hawks’ trip to NCAA Midwest Regional
QUINCY — A remarkable turnaround in the second year of Courtney Boyd’s tenure as the head coach of the Quincy University women’s basketball program means the Hawks are back on the national stage. After winning the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament championship, the Hawks are returning to the NCAA Division II national tournament for the…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QHS senior Titus Petty discusses being the Blue Devil mascot
QUINCY — Titus Petty takes center stage — or in this case, center court — on Friday nights. The Quincy High School senior, who played defensive back on the record-setting football team, was selected to be this year’s Blue Devil mascot for the boys basketball team. That means he gets to wear the tights and…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QU softball coach discusses bringing Jackie Stiles to fundraising event
QUINCY — The start of the college softball season continues inching closer, and for the Quincy University softball team, that means a mid-February home game if the weather cooperates. Before the Hawks take the field, they will get the chance to visit with and listen to one of the greatest women’s college basketball players of…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Lavery brothers discuss winning NCAA Division III national title with North Central College
QUINCY — Calvin and Charlie Lavery find themselves among a small group of Quincy athletes who can call themselves collegiate national champions. The Quincy Notre Dame graduates helped the North Central College football team win the NCAA Division III national championship with last Sunday’s 41-25 victory over Mount Union in the Alonzo Stagg Bowl. It…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Highland’s Abby Lay discusses state championship, Player of the Year honor
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — As good as Abby Lay was throughout the regular season at keeping hitters off-balance and wriggling out of trouble, she was exponentially better in the postseason. Just consider this: the Highland softball team’s junior ace did not allow an earned run in the final seven games of the season, including each of…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QHS quarterback Bradyn Little discusses record-setting season earning him Player of the Year
QUINCY — Bradyn Little’s name is littered all over the record books. The Quincy High School senior quarterback established new single-season records in every passing category this fall, throwing for 4,130 yards with 263 completions and 47 touchdowns. Each one of those marks ranks among the top 10 single-season performances in Illinois High School Association…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Volleyball Player of the Year Annie Eaton discusses QND’s season, her victory-filled four-year career
QUINCY — Coaches, teammates and opponents have used a variety of adjectives to describe Annie Eaton’s impact on the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team and the area volleyball scene the past four years. Strategic. Intelligent. Savvy. Composed. Savage. Dynamic. Lethal. Those are just a few. One sums up her career better than any other. Winner.…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: South Shelby’s Adam Gunterman discusses state quarterfinal victory
SHELBINA, Mo. — Six hours on a school bus was well worth it. The South Shelby football team traveled to Faucett, Mo., on Saturday for a Class 2 state quarterfinal matchup with Mid-Buchanan, and after scoring the game’s first 20 points, the Cardinals were able to hold onto the lead in what became a 28-26…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QU coach Jason Killday discusses reaching five-win plateau in GLVC
QUINCY — The Quincy University football team’s struggles within the Great Lakes Valley Conference since the league introduced football as a championship sport have been well-documented. That narrative is changing. The Hawks finished the GLVC season with a 5-3 record, marking the first time they have won more than four games in league play ever.…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett discusses bringing summer baseball back to Quincy
QUINCY — A chance meeting between two guys with an eye for the dramatic and a flair for putting on a show led to a partnership that is going benefit baseball fans in Quincy. WWE Hall of Fame wrestler and promoter Jeff Jarrett is part of the ownership group of the Quincy Baseball Club, which…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QHS cross country runners discuss qualifying for state meet
QUINCY — Their destination is Detweiller Park, a place the Quincy High School boys cross country team has not collectively visited in two decades. That changes Saturday. The Blue Devils qualified as a team for the Class 3A state championships, marking the first time the Blue Devils have advanced out of sectionals as a group…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Central’s Elijah Genenbacher discusses title defense and move to quarterback
CAMP POINT, Ill. — Elijah Genenbacher has always been a do-whatever-it-takes type of teammate. This year, his willingness to play anywhere, anytime, against anyone led to Genenbacher shifting from running back to quarterback, and with is has come a seven-game win streak for the Camp Point Central football team. The Panthers won the WIVC North…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Tim Hoker discusses bringing summer baseball back to Quincy
QUINCY — The community support Tim Hoker experienced while playing football at Quincy University is one of the reasons why he and his partners with Golden Rule Entertainment want to bring summer baseball back to the Gem City. Last week, Golden Rule Entertainment announced it was finalizing an agreement with Quincy University and the City…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Hannibal soccer team’s defensive backfield discusses chemistry, stinginess
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Fans of the Hannibal boys soccer team will have two opportunities this week to watch the record-setting Pirates in person, and those who do should take note of how stingy the defense continues to be. Last Saturday, in wrapping up the North Central Missouri Conference championship, the Pirates posted their single-season record…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QU men’s basketball coach Brad Hoyt discusses start of preseason practices
QUINCY — The weather Saturday didn’t mirror what many of us think of when we talk about basketball season, which normally invokes images of a winter coats and snow-covered roads. However, the 90-degree sun-splashed day made it ideal for the Quincy University men’s basketball team to stay inside. The Hawks officially began practice for the…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QU linebacker Brock Wiley discusses homecoming, his birthday and defense
QUINCY — The Quincy University football team heads into homecoming weekend looking for just the second 3-0 start to a season since 1994, and it also is a birthday weekend for sophomore linebacker Brock Wiley, who turns 20 on Friday. Ahead of Saturday’s game against Upper Iowa at QU Stadium, Wiley joined Muddy River Sports…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Hinkamper, Willing discuss Quincy Racquet Club’s 50th anniversary
QUINCY — The Quincy Racquet Club is celebrating its golden anniversary. Opened in 1974 to provide Quincy tennis enthusiasts the opportunity to play year-round — they had been seen shoveling snow off courts at Madison Park prior to that — the club is a central gathering spot for the tennis community and offers indoor and…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Tim Kerr discusses milestone victory, volleyball success at Southeastern
AUGUSTA, Ill. — Tim Kerr went from watching videos to learn more about the game to becoming one of the most successful and respected volleyball coaches around. On Monday, the Southeastern skipper earned his 700th career victory as the Suns beat Liberty in straight sets. Kerr joined Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman on the…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Stacy Grant discusses ‘Find Your Spark, Light the Dark’ event
QUINCY — They bowled. They glowed. They brought awareness to an important cause. The “Find Your Spark, Light the Dark” event took place Saturday at Tangerine Bowl where event organizers put on a show that glowed. There was glow-in-the-dark bowling and a Jeep glow show outside. It was done to bring awareness to suicide and…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QHS lineman Kamryn Flachs-Hill discusses building on historic 2023 season
Coverage of the QHS football program is brought to you by: QUINCY — The Quincy High School football team made history on a number of fronts during the 2023. So how to you top history? You take it to the next level. The Blue Devils realize that is their challenge for the upcoming season, and…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Central’s Jaden Summy discusses challenge of defending state title
Coverage of the Camp Point Central football coach is brought to you by: CAMP POINT, Ill. — Graduation losses often hit hard. Some years, they hit harder than others. Yet, somehow the Camp Point Central football program reloads every year. That is what will take place as the Panthers kick off their season and defense…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QND’s Wyatt Mueller discusses season opener, playoff aspirations
Coverage of the QND football program brought to you by: QUINCY — When the Quincy High School football team heads across to town to face Quincy Notre Dame at Advance Physical Therapy Field for Friday night’s season opener, the entire Gem City community gets to celebrate the prep game. QND senior safety Wyatt Mueller knows…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Illini West’s Max Kinnamon breaks down Chargers’ desire to end playoff drought
Coverage of the Illini West football program brought to you by: CARTHAGE, Ill. — The desire to return to the playoffs and bring postseason action back to Fuzz Berges Field is driving the Illini West football players this fall. Chargers quarterback Max Kinnamon joined Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman to discuss how the Chargers…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: South Shelby’s Preston Elsen breaks down chasing another CCC championship
Coverage of the South Shelby football program is brought to you by: SHELBINA, Mo. — The South Shelby football team rose to the top of the Clarence Cannon Conference last season behind a high-powered offense and a stingy defense. Now that winning has become the norm, the Cardinals believe they can stay at the top.…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QND junior golfer Beau Eftink talks about winning playoff and drinking Dr Pepper
QUINCY — Beau Eftink likes Dr Pepper. A lot apparently. He also likes winning and making birdies. A lot as well. Those things went hand-in-hand Saturday as the Quincy Notre Dame junior golfer won a playoff to earn individual medalist honors at the 75th Quincy Invitational and won a bet with Raiders coach Brian Hendrian…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Trio of Highland football players discuss how defense will breed success
Coverage of the Highland football program is brought to you by: EWING, Mo. — The current crop of Highland football players were the freshmen and junior high schoolers who bore witness to and were inspired by the 2021 team’s 8-3 record and run of success. Now, they want to pave a path into Highland history…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Hannibal’s Waylon Anders discusses leading Pirates’ lethal offense, chasing state championship
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Waylon Anders has quarterbacked the Hannibal football team to 20 victories in two seasons as the starting signal-caller. His experience and understanding of the Pirates’ offense is a critical reason Hannibal is considered a viable state title contender in Class 4. Anders joined Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman on the tailgate…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Brown County’s Dylan Reische discusses nicknames and returning to postseason
Coverage of the Brown County football program is brought to you by: MT. STERLING, Ill. — Dylan Reische gives the Brown County football team’s offensive line an experienced anchor at center and some personality. Anyone nicknamed “Chili” is bound to have character, right? Reische joined Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman on the tailgate of…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Unity-Payson’s Skylor Goudschaal discusses first night under lights and what it takes to return to playoffs
MENDON, Ill. — It has become a tradition for the Unity-Payson football team to practice at the stroke of midnight the first allowable day Illinois High School Association schools can begin working out in full pads. So Friday night, just before midnight, the Mustangs pulled up at their home field to see the lights shining…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: West Hancock’s Nolan Gooding discusses Titans’ continued rise
Coverage of the West Hancock football program is brought to you by: HAMILTON, Ill. — Nolan Gooding truly believes better days are ahead for the West Hancock football program. His enthusiasm and confidence are born from having learned second-year head coach Coy Dorothy’s system and a lifelong connection with a senior class ready to make…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Monroe City’s Smyser, Holland discuss chasing titles, important season opener
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Monroe City football program has a tradition and a history rooted in success. Valle Catholic has a tradition and a history rooted in championships. Those forces collide in Week 1 at Lankford Field in one of the best small-school matchups in the state. The Panthers’ Trey Smyser and Jayden Holland…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Mark Twain senior Brayden Moss discusses Tigers’ pursuit of improvement
CENTER, Mo. — Brayden Moss has been a fixture along the Mark Twain football team’s line since he joined the varsity program as a freshman. Now a senior, Moss expects the leadership and maturity that comes with being a four-year starter to pay off as the Tigers look to turn things around and chase a…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Pittsfield lineman Jaron White discusses Saukees’ depth, experience
Coverage of the Pittsfield football program is brought to you by: PITTSFIELD, Ill. — With nine starters returning on defense and the biggest offensive line its enjoyed in quite some time, the Pittsfield football program has the makings of what could be a run at ending a 15-year playoff drought. Senior lineman Jaron White joined…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Alex Stratman discusses spending summer fishing in Montana, becoming outdoor guide
QUINCY — Soon enough, Alex Stratman will return home and begin preparing for the fall hunting season, where he will serve as a guide for those chasing whitetail deer and turkey. After that, he’ll focus on guiding hunters during the spring turkey season. Before that happens, he’s going to savor every minute he has in…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Three-time Olympic volleyball player Caren Kemner discusses Summer Games
QUINCY — Caren Kemner is feeling Olympic. A majority of those who have represented the United States during the Summer Olympics at some point in their career likely are as well these days. The Paris Olympics get underway this week with the opening ceremonies happening Friday and competitive action taking place over a 20-day span.…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: Former QND lineman Jonny Bottorff discusses prepping for college football season
QUINCY — Jonny Bottorff is gearing up for what should arguably be the best season of his collegiate football career. The Quincy Notre Dame graduate heads into the 2024 season as the projected starter at center for Northern Arizona. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound Bottorff earned second-team All-Big Sky Conference honors last season after transferring from Missouri…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: QHS grad Kenny Taylor discusses working in Cape Cod League
QUINCY — The best summer collegiate baseball is played on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and Quincy High School graduate Kenny Taylor has a front row seat to see it all. The former Blue Devils outfielder is spending his summer as an intern with the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape Cod League, which means he is…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Club Four 17U Boost volleyball team heading to Las Vegas for national tourney
QUINCY — Vegas, baby! The Club Four 17U Boost volleyball team is heading to the Mojave Desert and what is quickly becoming one of the nation’s epicenters for major sporting events — Las Vegas — to play in the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships. The team leaves Monday and will participate in pool play…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Three local tumblers discuss winning national championships
QUINCY — Count ‘em one, two, three. That’s how many individual tumblers from Gem City Gymnastics and Tumbling captured national championships during the United States Tumbling Association National Championships, held last week in Louisville, Ky. Palmyra’s Ruby Akerson won the championship in the advanced girls 14-15 division, while Payson’s Kaylin Vazquez-Epperson took the title in…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Baseball Player of the Year Wesley Robertson discusses record-setting season at Illini West
CARTHAGE, Ill. — If the best is yet to come, Wesley Robertson will rewrite the Illini West baseball program’s entire record book. What he did during his sophomore campaign was pretty impressive as a starting point. The third baseman set the Chargers’ single-season record for RBIs, driving in 50 runs as Illini West went 28-5…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Zach Richardson discusses time at KHQA as he departs for Louisiana
QUINCY — Zach Richardson first became a household name in this region as a three-sport standout athlete at Louisiana, Mo., and later as a member of the Truman State University football team. He made his way back close to home when he joined KHQA as a sports and news reporter. Three years later, Richardson is…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Zach Willing discusses city tennis tournament, strength of tennis community
QUINCY — Zach Willing is going for four in a row. A recent Quincy University graduate and a Quincy High School alum, Willing has won three consecutive Quincy men’s city tennis singles championships and will chase his fourth title this weekend during the city tournament at the Greeman Tennis Center at Reservoir Park. Willing took…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Happy Mother’s Day
QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman’s passion for the St. Louis Cardinals, enjoyment of bird watching and competitiveness playing Jeopardy comes from the influence of his mom, Kathleen Schuckman. So to celebrate Mother’s Day, Schuckman invited his mom to join him for an episode of “Schuck on a Truck,” brought to you by…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QU safety Joseph Webb discusses spring practice, carrying momentum into offseason
QUINCY — The end of the spring is near for the Quincy University football program, which means the Hawks are a step closer to the debut of Jason Killday as their head coach. QU will open its season August 29 at Drake in Des Moines, Iowa. As far the progress made during the 15-practice session…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Abbey Schreacke discusses her freshman season with Mizzou hoops
QUINCY — Spring break is giving Abbey Schreacke the opportunity to spend some time with family and go fishing, as much as the weather permits. It doesn’t mean trips to the gym have been put on hiatus. The Quincy Notre Dame graduate has worked out at The Pit in order to be ready to help…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: KHQA Sports Director Chris Duerr talks basketball awards, spring sports
QUINCY — The end of the prep basketball season turns into awards season the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association announcing their all-state honors and local media outlets all-area teams. Or in the case of KHQA Sports Director Chris Duerr, he unveils his All-Do or Die teams. Duerr joined Muddy River…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: Nebraska assistant coach Jessica Keller discusses NCAA Tournament, coaching ladder, QU roots
QUINCY — The leading scorer in the history of the Quincy University women’s basketball program is headed to the NCAA Tournament as an assistant coach, and following Nebraska’s effort against Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament championship game, anything is possible for the Huskers. Jessica Keller is in her second season on the Nebraska coaching…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: Marquee Sports Network digital reporter Andy Martinez discusses Riley Martin’s chances, Cubs bullpen
QUINCY — Andy Martinez has gone from a cub reporter as a student at Quincy University to a Cubs reporter producing digital content for the Marquee Sports Network. The Chicago native is a 2015 graduate of QU who returned to the Windy City after a stint working at the Quincy Herald-Whig. He landed a job…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QHS boys basketball coach Andy Douglas discusses Quincy Shootout, Blue Devils’ progress
QUINCY — Sitting on the tailgate of Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman’s pickup didn’t make much sense with snow blowing and temperatures dipping, so the latest episode of “Schuck on a Truck” became an inside edition as he and Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas hung out in the Blue Devils’ locker…
Read MoreYear in Review 2023: Most watched episodes of “Schuck on a Truck”
QUINCY — Anywhere Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman drives his pickup, the opportunity exists for an episode of “Schuck on a Truck” to take place. Throughout 2023, the truck ended up parked just beyond end zones, behind center field fences and at state tournament sites across the state. The tailgate became a place for…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: WIU’s Gravina discusses success on hardwood, Christmas holiday
MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois University women’s basketball team is rolling. The Leathernecks have won seven consecutive games heading into Sunday’s matchup at Missouri-Kansas City. An experienced corps of players who understand their role and the emergence of a high-scoring freshman have been the right combination for success. WIU coach JD Gravina joined Muddy…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QHS senior guard Tyler Sprick discusses upcoming weekend, playing in Blue Devil Gym
QUINCY — Tyler Sprick is a blue blood in the sense he bleeds Blue Devil blue. Having grown up playing in the Lil’ Devils program and attending games at Blue Devil Gym, the senior guard on the Quincy High School boys basketball program is well versed in the program’s tradition. So he knows how meaningful…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Dixon, Central senior football players celebrate Class 1A state championship
NORMAL, Ill. — Their legacy is complete, and there’s a state championship trophy to prove it. The seniors on the Camp Point Central football team and head coach Brad Dixon took the program to new heights Friday, beating Lena-Winslow 14-0 in the Class 1A state title game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium for the…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Central’s Robert Gooding goes inside the locker room to talk about Panthers’ personalities
CAMP POINT, Ill. — On roster of more than 40 players who spend plenty of time together on and off the field, personalities and unique traits come to light. With the Camp Point Central football team headed to Normal, Ill., this week to play in the Class 1A state championship game against Lena-Winslow at Illinois…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Camp Point Central football players celebrate winning Class 1A state semifinal
CAMP POINT, Ill. — The mission to return to the Class 1A state championship game is complete. Only one step remains. In the words of the Camp Point Central football players, that’s payback. Central earned its spot opposite defending state champion Lena-Winslow in the title game by flattening Greenfield-Northwestern 54-20 Saturday inb the semifinals. Afterward,…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Central linebackers discuss playoff atmosphere, community support
CAMP POINT, Ill. — The crowd’s presence was undeniable. No matter if they were on the field or on the sideline, the Camp Point Central football players could hear its overflowing crowd and feel its energy during last Saturday’s Class 1A state quarterfinal victory over Belleville Althoff. The Panthers expect a more boisterous and potentially…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Seniors on QHS girls basketball team discuss upcoming season
QUINCY — They started as a group of freshmen with plenty of potential and now they are seniors coming off a 20-win season and looking to make a statement with postseason success. For Quincy High School’s Leah Chevalier, Leila Dade and Taylor Fohey, the upcoming basketball season is their chance to leave a legacy. The…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Phil Neally discusses QHS’s historic football season, carrying energy into wrestling season
QUINCY — Phil Neally saw the Quincy High School football team when it struggled as much as it ever has. Three decades later, he’s witnessing the greatest season in program history. As a junior offensive lineman during the 1991 season, Neally and the Blue Devils endured a winless season. The next season, Neally started at…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Hannibal football players discuss district title game, Porter Stadium crowd
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal football team is right where it is expected to be — playing for a district championship on a Friday night in November. The Pirates (10-1) will face Warrenton (11-0) at 7 p.m. Friday at Porter Stadium in the Class 4 District 4 title game. Hannibal has won three straight district…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QND football coach Jack Cornell discusses beards and playoffs
QUINCY — Jack Cornell decided to quit shaving when his high school wrestling career was over, and now the beard is part of his signature look. Success is part of that appearance, too. An offensive lineman at the University of Illinois who went on to be a part of the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad during…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QHS football coach Rick Little takes control of segment, becomes interviewer
QUINCY — The latest episode of “Schuck on a Truck” comes with a twist. Quincy High School football coach Rick Little turned the tables on Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman and took over the interview, dubbing it “Schuck held hostage on his truck.” Movie lines, cinderella stories, influential coaches became the topics of conversation.…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Central football seniors discuss playoff atmosphere and tradition
CAMP POINT, Ill. — Playoff week is in full swing, which brings a new intensity and vibe to the Camp Point Central football team’s weekly preparations. The Panthers open the Class 1A playoffs at 2 p.m. Saturday at home against Bridgeport Red Hill. Central finished the regular season 9-0 and is the No. 1-seeded team…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Mettemeyer discusses QHS football team’s historic regular season following Blue Devils’ ninth victory
QUINCY — Jack Mettemeyer found the end zone in his final regular-season game at Flinn Stadium, helping the Quincy High School football team put a stamp on a dominant fourth quarter and a 56-33 victory over Mahomet-Seymour on Friday night. The victory pushed QHS’s record to 9-0, marking just the second undefeated regular season in…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Hannibal girls golfers discuss program’s first trip to state tournament
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal girls golf team is making history one event after another. Come Monday, when the Pirates tee it up at Crown Pointe Golf Club in Farmington, Mo., in the Class 3 state tournament, it will be the first time in program history they will play at state as a team. The…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Captains of Highland softball team discuss No. 1 ranking, postseason chances
EWING, Mo. — The Highland softball team heads into the postseason as the No. 1-ranked team in Class 2, riding an 18-game win streak and backed by a record-setting offensive attack. The Cougars’ captains — Emma Harshberger, Olivia Ritterbusch and Haleigh Winter — joined Highland coach Paul Scifres on the tailgate of Muddy River Sports…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Former QU All-American Dayson Croes discusses first season playing professional baseball
QUINCY — It started with the American Association’s longest hitting streak of the season and ended with Rookie of the Year honors. Dayson Croes’ first season as a professional baseball player was an undeniable hit. He capped it with a tournament championship in Mexico. Croes, the former Quincy University All-American infielder, signed with the Winnipeg…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Bob Gough discusses growth of MRN, IHSA Distinguished Media Service Award and busy sports season
QUINCY — It’s been 2 1/2 years since Muddy River News launched and a little more than two years since Muddy River Sports joined the party, and MRN publisher Bob Gough continues to guide the ever-growing media outlet forward. Heading into a busy weekend, with a new sponsor for “Schuck on a Truck” in tow,…
Read MoreMilestone moment: Seniors, Reis discuss his 400th victory as QND boys soccer coach
QUINCY — The third time proved to be the charm. With Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer coach Greg Reis sitting on 399 career victories, the Raiders suffered back-to-back losses to quality teams in John Burroughs and Rochester. Saturday, a team that traditionally has given the Raiders fits visited Advance Physical Therapy Field, and it brought…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Wives of Central football coaches discuss family, Friday nights together
CAMP POINT, Ill. — The wives of the Camp Point Central football coaches are a staff unto themselves. Each week, prior to Friday night, they game plan how to wrangle kids, pack enough juice boxes and gear to survive a three hours and make arrangements for postgame festivities. It’s done to allow their husbands to…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: South Shelby’s Hammond, Wiseman discuss ribeyes, success and big games
SHELBINA, Mo. — Kevin Hammond delivered like a champion, just as the South Shelby football team had. Thursday night, the father of Cardinals running back Kendal Hammond followed through on a promise to cook ribeyes for his son and the offensive linemen if Hammond rushed for more than 200 yards against Monroe City. The senior…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QHS offensive linemen discuss life in trenches for WB6 title contender
QUINCY — Want to know which of the five starting offensive linemen for the Quincy High School football team is the strongest? What about the cleanest? Or maybe you’re curious where they like to eat as a group, considering their camaraderie extends beyond the gridiron? They’ll tell you. They’ll smile and laugh while doing it,…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Macomb AD discusses family and football with grandkids by his side
MACOMB, Ill. — Macomb athletic director Steve Horrell continues to make Friday nights about football and family. Previously a long-time member of the Macomb football coaching staff, Horrell and his wife, Trish, raised their four kids at football fields throughout West-Central Illinois. Their son, Tanner, is now the Bombers head coach and his sons and…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QHS’s Tykell Hammers discusses season opener, heat adjustments, catchable passes
QUINCY — Tykell Hammers is one of the many offensive weapons Quincy High School quarterback Bradyn Little has in his arsenal, but Hammers’ skills aren’t limited to the gridiron alone. The QHS junior started in the outfield for the baseball team last spring after emerging as a high-quality wide receiver and defensive back during last…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QND senior Ben Schwartz discusses football opener, being team captain
QUINCY — Ben Schwartz understands hard work. It’s engrained in you when you grow up in a farm family. Schwartz’s diligence and effort led to an opportunity to step into the starting lineup along the Quincy Notre Dame football team’s offensive line as a sophomore and he’s been an anchor ever since. Schwartz enters his…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Hannibal’s Aneyas Williams discusses senior season, future with Fighting Irish
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Come the first weekend of December, when Missouri crowns its high school football state champions and puts a wrap on the fall season, the career of one the most dominant and electrifying athletes this area has ever seen will end as well. Luckily, all the football Friday nights and playoff games between…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Zanger discusses transition to college student, burgeoning career in media
QUINCY — Addi Zanger is about to have more free time than she’s ever experienced. After playing two sports throughout high school and helping coach youth softball as well, the recent Quincy Notre Dame graduate heads to the University of Missouri with no preseason practices to attend and no defined schedule that includes matches, games…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QHS volleyball players discuss upcoming season, pursuit of WB6 championship
QUINCY — A year ago, the Quincy High School volleyball finished tied for second in the Western Big 6 Conference. The Blue Devils would like nothing more than to regain the league crown, which they have worn more than any other team in league history. QHS has won 25 WB6 volleyball championships, but the last…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Hannibal’s Rollins discusses soccer season, summer success with J.B. Marine
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Graduation losses are inevitable, but the Hannibal boys soccer program braced for that with a sizable junior class gaining valuable playing experience the past two seasons. Depth is still a concern with only two seniors on the roster and the need for freshmen to fill reserve roles, but quality over quantity is…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: KHQA sports director Chris Duerr discusses start of fall sports
QUINCY — Chris Duerr’s summer sabbatical is over, and it’s time for fall sports. The Hall of Fame KHQA Sports Director took advantage of a quiet July to visit his native Sacramento, Calif., spend quality time with his family and get upstaged by his fire chief brother, Mark. Now that August has arrived and fall…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Central wrestling coaches discuss program, Summerfest, eating contest
CAMP POINT, Ill. — What better way to end the summer than with a celebration. Saturday night at Bailey Park, that’s what the Central wrestling program and its supporters did. Summerfest, a fund-raiser for the Panthers’ grapplers, brought the community together for music, food, drinks and fun in a lively and entertaining setting. A celebrity…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Lucas Loos discusses summer with Gems, transfer to EIU, passion for baseball
QUINCY — Lucas Loos is a making a case to be the Prospect League’s Player of the Year. Friday night, the case grew stronger. The Quincy Gems third baseman belted his league-leading 13th home run during a 13-3, seven-inning victory over the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp. The Payson Seymour graduate finished 3 for 4 with…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: CS8 football coaches discuss future of league, which will include QND
WINCHESTER, Ill. — On a farm pond in rural Scott County, Jacksonville football coach Mark Grounds showed the ability to slay 5- and 6-pound catfish over and over again. What he has done as president of the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association is more impressive. The long-time Crimsons skipper has enhanced a network of…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Magnolia Schrage talks golf, medals and half-swings
QUINCY — Magnolia Schrage is carrying on a family tradition. The 4-year-old Quincy golfer competed this week in the 50th annual Pepsi Little People’s Golf Championships at the Knights of Columbus Par-3 Course, following in the footsteps of her father, Tim, who played in the event growing up in Quincy. After finishing her five-hole round…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QND baseball team celebrates its third-place finish at Class 2A state tournament
PEORIA, Ill. — A record-setting season would have been incomplete without a victory on the final day of play. The Quincy Notre Dame baseball team understood that and made certain that happened, beating DePaul College Prep 7-2 in the Class 2A third-place game Saturday at Dozer Park. Winning the third state trophy in program history…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QND baseball players celebrate state final four berth with No. 5 in their hearts
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The highs and lows of sports intersected with the tragedy and triumph of life in a 48-hour span for the Quincy Notre Dame baseball players. They found a way to make history through it all. A 13-1 victory over Bloomington Central Catholic in the Class 2A Springfield Super-Sectional at Lincoln Land Community…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QND’s Cucuk discusses return to state tennis tournament
QUINCY — Marko Cucuk understands the competition intensifies this week. Still, the Quincy Notre Dame tennis player is heading to the Class 1A state tournament on quite a roll. The recent QND graduate, who is making his third straight tournament appearance in the singles draw, won the singles bracket at the Class 1A Chatham Glenwood…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QU baseball parents become family of their own
QUINCY — The root of their lies in their success of their sons, but the parents of the Quincy University baseball players have formed a bond that is as tight as a baseball family gets. The shared a house during the season-opening road trip to Florida. They tailgate together wherever the Hawks play. They text.…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Mark Longo discusses legendary QND girls soccer coaching career
QUINCY — Mark Longo was asked to coach the inaugural Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team with no expectations and no preconceived notions of success. The next coach won’t be so lucky. From 1990 until now — 33 seasons total — Longo has been the only head coach the Raiders have had, and with him…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Future QU golfer Miller shows she can hang with the boys on her way to state
EWING, Mo. — When Payton Miller made it home Friday night, she had some serious packing to do. Saturday, she was off to Shelbina to compete in the Class 2 sectional track and field meet with the Highland girls track team. That night, she and her family headed to Springfield, Mo., to get prepared to…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QHS girls soccer team reacts to sweeping QND for first time ever
QUINCY — The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer programs played their first seasons in the spring of 1990 and have been scheduled to meet twice every spring since. Not once in the first 32 seasons of head-to-head competition — they didn’t play in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic — had…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Logsdon, Norris talk about how QU served as home, family during incredible athletic careers
QUINCY — The highs and lows — things both Lance Logsdon and Mattison Norris experienced throughout the Quincy University athletic careers — never sidetracked either, largely because of their competitive nature and dogged determination, but also because they had each other. The record-setting slugger for the QU baseball team and the All-American outside hitter for…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Hunter Voth discusses dreams of being Cardinals play-by-play announcer and sheds light on Autism Awareness Month
QUINCY — Hunter Voth refuses to let anything stand in the way of his dream of someday becoming the radio play-by-play voice of the St. Louis Cardinals. Autism is one of those obstacles he simply pushes past. A Unity High School graduate who is a student assistant with the John Wood Community College men’s basketball…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: KHQA Sports Director Chris Duerr discusses crosstown showdowns, covering local sports on special game night edition
QUINCY — The image of Chris Duerr roaming the sidelines or basepaths with a camera on his shoulder is iconic. It’s also expected when the magnitude of the event rises, much the way the Quincy High School vs. Quincy Notre Dame matchups do. Wednesday night, the KHQA sports director was at the QHS softball field…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Hobbs discusses becoming next C-SC men’s basketball coach
CANTON, Mo. — Dorian Hobbs Jr. found his way home. A former Culver-Stockton College student-athlete and assistant coach with the men’s basketball team, Hobbs joined the Millikin University coaching staff as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator in May 2021. However, his ties to C-SC made him want to return after Aaron Hill resigned as…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Moline boys basketball coach Sean Taylor discusses Class 4A state title
QUINCY — Sean Taylor put himself in rare company when the Moline boys basketball team won the Class 4A state championship with its 59-42 victory over Lisle Benet Academy at State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill. The former Quincy High School coach has now led two schools to a state championship, having won the Class…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QND girls basketball team celebrates its Class 2A third-place state finish
QUINCY — With spring break taking place on the backend of the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s third-place finish at the Class 2A state tournament, the Raiders had to wait an extra week for their fire truck ride and welcome home celebration. The time lapse gave the Raiders time to appreciate all they had…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Central wrestler Amber Louderback discusses historic state medal-winning season
CAMP POINT, Ill. — Amber Louderback’s determination cannot be undersold or overstated. She’s passionate, committed and tough. It’s why the Camp Point Central freshman became the first girls wrestler in program history to earn a medal at the state tournament, finishing fourth in the 125-pound class recently during the event held at Grossinger Motors Arena…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Cubs pitching prospect Riley Martin discusses spring training and his progress
QUINCY — Riley Martin admits it’s been a short offseason, but that hasn’t diminished his readiness for spring training. “I feel like I’ve put in some good work this offseason,” he said. “I’m excited to get back and get started.” The former Quincy University left-handed All-American hurler will head to Mesa, Ariz., next week to…
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