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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Quincy High School volleyball team outlasted Sterling in a three-set match Thursday night at the QHS gym, winning 26-24, 20-25, 25-19. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Quincy High School volleyball team simply won’t be denied. Thursday night’s 26-24, 20-25, 25-19 victory over Sterling marked the Blue Devils’s second three-set victory in Western Big 6 Conference play this week and third in…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Right reactions to challenges keep Blue Devils undefeated in WB6 play

Quincy High School senior midfielder Bri Lannerd scored two goals in Tuesday night's 3-1 victory over Rock Island Alleman at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The reaction and retaliation is something Quincy High School girls soccer coach Travis DInkheller appreciates. Rock Island Alleman scored three minutes into the second half of Tuesday’s Western Big 6 Conference clash at Flinn Stadium, cutting the Quincy lead in half. Less than 10 minutes later, the advantage was back to two goals.…

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Walk it off, walk it off: Allison’s two-run single finishes off Galesburg as QHS wins third straight

Quincy High School shortstop Ariana Adorno catches a ball throw in from the outfield during Monday's Western Big 6 Conference game against Galesburg at the QHS field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Aurora Allison didn’t realize what she had done. Her single to center field with one out in the sixth inning drove in a pair of runs as the Quincy High School softball team walked off with a 14-4 victory Monday over Galesburg in Western Big 6 Conference play. Allison, the senior first baseman,…

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Photo gallery: QHS softball team completes season sweep of Galesburg

The Quincy High School softball team lines up for the national anthem prior to Monday's Western Big 6 Conference game against Galesburg at the QHS field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — On a night when the Quincy High School softball team celebrated its three seniors, one of them provided the exclamation point on a 14-4 victory over Galesburg in Western Big 6 Conference action at the QHS field. Aurora Allison’s one-out single in the bottom of the sixth inning Monday drove in two runs,…

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Early barrage, Routh’s hat trick carry Blue Devils to pivotal WB6 victory over defending champs

Quincy High School's Taylor Routh, right, celebrates her goal with teammate Rian Moore, who had the assist on the goal two minutes into Tuesday night's game against Geneseo. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer team’s motivation never waned no matter how sizable the lead became. “Maybe for a second there we lost it,” senior forward Taylor Routh said. “But that’s it. We stayed pretty focused.” On a victory. On a title. On a legacy. Tuesday night’s 5-1 victory over Geneseo at…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls soccer team inches closer to Western Big 6 Conference championship

Quincy High School midfielder Rian Moore wins a ball amid three Geneseo players during Tuesday night's Western Big 6 Conference game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer team moved a step closer to regaining the Western Big 6 Conference championship, beating defending league champ Geneseo 5-1 Tuesday night at Flinn Stadium behind Taylor Routh’s hat trick. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening with the Blue Devils and put together this photo…

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Maroons sweep Blue Devils in WB6 twinbill to stay atop league standings

Quincy junior outfielder Tykell Hammers slides safely into home plate during the second game of Saturday's Western Big 6 Conference doubleheader against Moline at QU Stadium. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School baseball team dropped both ends of a Western Big 6 Conference doubleheader Saturday against league front-runner Moline at QU Stadium. The Maroons won the opener 5-3 despite getting outhit by the Blue Devils, while the nightcap turned into a rout as Moline won 14-1. In the first game, Quincy…

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Storm warning: Budde’s first start ends in victory as Blue Devils make stellar defensive plays

Quincy High School third baseman Ivy Winter tags out Rock Island Alleman's Izzy Schneider in the sixth inning of Tuesday's Western Big 6 Conference game at the QHS softball field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A sun-splashed afternoon was a surprising setting for an unexpected Storm. Not even the Quincy High School softball player at the center of it saw it coming. When she arrived at the QHS field in advance of a Western Big 6 Conference matchup with Rock Island Alleman, junior Storm Budde learned she was…

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Photo gallery: QHS softball team earns WB6 victory over Alleman

From left, Quincy High School's Paige Kurfman, Ariana Adorno, Storm Budde and Ivy Winter exchange high-fives before the start of the seventh inning Tuesday against Rock Island Alleman. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School softball team found a way to manufacture a single run in four consecutive innings and junior right-hander Storm Budde made certain that was enough to secure a 4-2 victory over Rock Island Alleman on Tuesday in Western Big 6 Conference play at the QHS field. Muddy River Sports Editor…

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Walking away a winner: Ritter’s single caps rally as Blue Devils split twinbill with Silver Streaks

Quincy High School's Nate Konrad slides safely into third base after tagging up and advancing on a sacrifice fly in the third inning of Saturday's game against Galesburg at the QHS field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Mason Ritter’s water bottle shower was well earned. With two outs, the bases loaded and the score tied in the bottom of the seventh inning in the nightcap of Saturday’s western Big 6 Conference doubleheader, the Quincy High School baseball team’s sophomore catcher fouled off back-to-back pitches deep in the count to keep…

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Photo gallery: Blue Devils earn split with Silver Streaks in WB6 doubleheader

From left, Quincy High School catcher Owen Zanger, pitcher Brady Lowe and first baseman Jansen Lawson stand at attention as first responders present the United States and state of Illinois flags before Saturday's Western Big 6 Conference doubleheader against Galesburg at the QHS field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Stellar pitching performances, solid approaches at the plate and a seventh-inning rally enabled the Quincy High School baseball team to earn a Western Big 6 Conference doubleheader split with Galesburg on Saturday at the QHS field. The Silver Streaks won the opener 4-0, while the Blue Devils rallied for a 5-4 victory in…

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Blue Devils come home from bitterly cold road trip with another conference victory

Quincy High School senior forward Taylor Routh scored the first goal in Tuesday night's 4-0 victory over Moline in Western Big 6 Conference play in Moline, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

MOLINE, Ill. — Playing in less-than-ideal conditions is something the Quincy High School girls soccer team has had to embrace. “We have to take the attitude that nothing bothers us,” Blue Devils coach Travis Dinkheller said. “We’re going to be tougher and we’re going to play harder than our opponent.” Once they got their feet…

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Blue Devils’ Longcor is named WB6 MVP, Thomas joins him on all-conference first team

Quincy High School junior guard Bradley Longcor III was named the Western Big 6 Conference MVP by the league's coaches after leading the Blue Devils to the conference crown. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Bradley Longcor III’s performance in the final two games of the Western Big 6 Conference boys basketball title chase elevated Quincy High School to its 25th league crown and pushed the junior guard to the forefront as the league’s top player. Thursday, the WB6 coaches confirmed that. Longcor was named the conference MVP…

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‘I think it came down to toughness’: Blue Devils’ strong second half carries them to WB6 crown

Quincy High School senior Tyler Sprick, left, and junior Keshaun Thomas helped the Blue Devils beat Rock Island 48-46 Thursday night in Rock Island, Ill., to capture the Western Big 6 Conference championship. | Muddy River Sports file photo

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Nobody can say Quincy High School didn’t earn the 2023-24 Western Big 6 Conference boys basketball championship. The state’s Class 4A fifth-ranked Blue Devils beat Rock Island for the second time in three days on Thursday evening, using a similar script to Tuesday’s home victory. Getting enough offense at the right…

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Blue Devils clamp down on high-scoring Rocks, force winner-take-all WB6 championship game on Thursday

The defensive presence of Quincy High School junior forward Keshaun Thomas helped the Blue Devils dispatch Rock Island 58-49 on Tuesday night at Blue Devil Gym. | Muddy River Sports file photo

QUINCY — To take advantage of the switching man-to-man defense used by the Quincy High School boys basketball team, Rock Island tried to isolate K.J. Lamonte, its top scorer, on Keshaun Thomas, the Blue Devils’ 6-foot-5 junior forward. Every time Lamonte tried to slash to the basket in the first half, Thomas forced him to…

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Marooned in Moline: Blue Devils fall out of first place in WB6 with loss at Wharton Field House

Quincy High School junior guard Bradley Longcor III scored 19 points in Friday night's 42-41 loss to Moline at Wharton Field House in Moline, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

MOLINE, Ill. — How a game of such magnitude elicited such minimal energy from his players left Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas as dumbfounded as it did irritated. “There was just a different look on their face than we’ve seen out of the group,” he said. It wasn’t a good look. Facing…

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Blue Devils’ chase of WB6 crown comes down to three-game gauntlet after dispatching Pioneers

Quincy High School junior guard Dom Clay throws down a dunk in the first half of Tuesday night's game against Rock Island Alleman at Blue Devil Gym. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — A slight rewrite to the lyrics of Elvis Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes” might be apropos for the Quincy High School boys basketball team heading into the homestretch of the Western Big 6 Conference season. “Well, it’s one for the chance, two for the show, Three for the glory, now go, Devils, go.“ Tuesday…

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Photo Gallery: QHS stays perfect at Blue Devil Gym with victory over Alleman

Quincy High School guard Bradley Longcor III drives to the basket during Tuesday night's game against Rock Island Alleman at Blue Devil Gym. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — A perfect season at home is one victory away. The Quincy High School boys basketball team improved to 12-0 at Blue Devil Gym this season with Tuesday night’s 78-33 victory over Rock Island Alleman in Western Big 6 Conference play. MRN Editor David Adam captured some of the action.

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Blue Devils create energy level necessary to maintain momentum against Silver Streaks

Quincy High School guard Ralph Wires runs the offense during Tuesday night's Western Big 6 Conference game against Galesburg at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Challenge accepted and met. Coming off Saturday’s high-octane, high-profile victory over Imhotep Charter of Philadelphia in the marquee game of the Quincy Shootout, the Quincy High School boys basketball team was tasked with rekindling that energy Tuesday to face Galesburg, which it beat by 52 points in early December. “Our pregame speech tonight…

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Be prepared: Blue Devils’ approach allows them to blow away Maple Leafs for WB6 victory

Quincy High School senior guard Tyler Sprick reacts to teammate Ty Douglas getting in the scoring column with a free throw in the fourth quarter of Friday night's 75-13 victory over Geneseo in Western Big 6 Conference play at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The schedule listed Friday night’s opponent as Geneseo. It may as well have read Homewood-Flossmoor, Bolingbrook or any other state-ranked team the Quincy High School boys basketball team could conceivably face. “Your preparation is for the best teams on your schedule, and that doesn’t change when you’re not playing the best teams on…

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Unrelenting defensive effort carries QHS girls basketball team to WB6 victory over Rocky

Quincy High School guard Leah Chevalier, left, looks to throw a pass to the post during Thursday night's game against Rock Island at the QHS gym. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball team put a disappointing loss behind it. Another dynamic defensive effort helped do that. Rock Island made just one field goal in the first quarter of Thursday night’s Western Big 6 Conference game at the QHS gym, trailed by as many as 14 points early and couldn’t…

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Locking down defensively allows Blue Devils to kickstart 2024 with WB6 victory

Quincy High School's Bri Lannerd, left, goes up for a shot while Moline's Taleah Tirrell goes for the block during Thursday night's Western Big 6 Conference game at the QHS gym. | Samantha Carmean photo

QUINCY — Taylor Fohey’s reaction spoke volumes. “Really?” she said with wide eyes and an I-didn’t-know-that expression when told the Quincy High School girls basketball team didn’t allow Moline to score a field goal in the first quarter of Thursday night’s Western Big 6 Conference game. “Honestly, I don’t think too much about what we’re…

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Blue Devils capitalize on Austin’s absence by overpowering Golden Warriors for WB6 victory

Quincy High School's Keshaun Thomas, left, attempts to get a shot off while being defended by Sterling's Kaedon Phillips during Friday's Western Big 6 Conference game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The gameplan didn’t change, even if the opposing lineup did. The Sterling boys basketball team arrived at Blue Devil Gym for Friday night’s Western Big 6 Conference clash without 6-foot-7, 265-pound senior forward Lucas Austin, an all-state offensive tackle who is taking an official football recruiting visit this weekend to West Virginia. “I…

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Photo gallery: Blue Devils improve to 3-0 in WB6 by outrunning Golden Warriors

The energy of the student cheering section gave the Quincy High School boys basketball team a boost during Friday night's Western Big 6 Conference game against Sterling at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team is always in attack mode. Leading by 10 points at halftime of Friday night’s Western Big 6 Conference matchup with Sterling, the Blue Devils were relentless in the second half and ran away with a 66-41 victory at Blue Devil Gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt…

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Silver Streaks’ perimeter game leads to critical WB6 victory over Blue Devils

Quincy High School's Bri Lannerd, right, drives to the basket during Thursday night's Western Big 6 Conference game against Galesburg at John Thiel Gym in Galesburg, Ill. | Photo courtesy Steve Davis

GALESBURG, Ill. — It didn’t matter what defense the Quincy High School  girls basketball team employed. Galesburg found a way to beat it. The Silver Streaks were able to get into gaps and knock down perimeter jumpers, burying nine 3-pointers while securing the top spot in the Western Big 6 Conference with a 55-41 victory…

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Blue Devils focus on task at hand, pummel Silver Streaks for another WB6 road victory

Quincy High School's Mark Louthan puts a reverse layup during Tuesday night's game against Galesburg at John Thiel Gym in Galesburg, Ill. | Photo courtesy Steve Davis

GALESBURG, Ill. — Remaining ever-present can be a challenge when you know what lies ahead. The Quincy High School boys basketball players are meeting that challenge head on. Fully aware a pivotal Western Big 6 Conference showdown looms Friday night against Sterling at Blue Devil Gym, the Blue Devils didn’t overlook having to take care…

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Photo gallery: Blue Devils power past Silver Streaks with crisp, clean effort

Quincy High School's Isiah Talton gets around Galesburg's Jaxon Wyatt for a layup during the Blue Devils' 86-34 win over the Silver Streaks at John Thiel Gym on Tuesday night in Galesburg, Ill. | Photo courtesy Steve Davis

GALESBURG, Ill. — Andy Douglas couldn’t find fault with the Quincy High School boys basketball’s effort, focus or finish. The coach liked pretty much everything about Tuesday night’s 86-34 victory over Galesburg at John Thiel Gym. Freelance photographer Steve Davis was courtside at Thiel Gym and put together this photo gallery:

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Blue Devils’ defensive dominance continues in another WB6 whitewashing

Quincy High School forward Taylor Fohey pressures a Sterling player during Saturday's Western Big 6 Conference game at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — There is no quantitative goal the Quincy High School girls basketball players set for what they hope to accomplish defensively each game. However, there is an emotional response they look to achieve. “I guess the goal would be to kind of embarrass the opponent in a sense,” senior point guard Leila Dade said.…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls basketball team overwhelms another WB6 foe with defense

Quincy High School freshman forward Jada Brown, left, gains position on the block during the first half of Saturday's game against Sterling at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball team limited Sterling to five points in the first quarter and 11 overall in the first half, rolling to a 21-point lead by halftime and cruising to a 52-29 victory in Western Big 6 Conference action Saturday at the QHS gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman…

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WB6 coaches select QHS quarterback as MVP, nine Blue Devils make first-team all-conference

Quincy High School quarterback Bradyn Little threw for 2,562 yards and 37 touchdowns during the regular season, earning Western Big 6 Conference MVP along the way. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Bradyn Little’s success quarterbacking the Quincy High School football team is more than just a passing fancy. It’s a full orchestra of talent. The junior quarterback led the Blue Devils to a 6-0 record in the Western Big 6 Conference and a 9-0 overall regular-season mark, earning first-team all-conference honors and league MVP.…

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Schuckman: WB6 showcase event would help league deal with potential scheduling void

Quincy High School football coach Rick Little would like to help point the Western Big 6 Conference in the direction of a scheduling agreement that will help fill any potential voids in future seasons. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Quincy High School football coach Rick Little’s biggest chore and most constant worry isn’t prepping the Blue Devils for the playoffs. It’s filling a potential open week on the 2024 schedule. Last January, Rock Island Alleman informed Western Big 6 Conference principals and officials it would not field a varsity football team during…

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Crowning glory: Blue Devils cap undefeated run through WB6 with league championship

The Quincy High School football team's defense stacks up Geneseo's Jackson Reade during the first quarter of Friday night's Western Big 6 Conference game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The crown fits perfectly. Favored to win the Western Big 6 Conference championship and never shying away from those expectations, the Quincy High School football players finished off an undefeated run to a league title Friday night, beating Geneseo 35-7 at Flinn Stadium. It is the Blue Devils’ first WB6 championship since 2016,…

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Splish, splash: Little avoids full bath of ice water, but Blue Devils improvise to celebrate WB6 title

Quincy High School football coach Rick Little, right, does his best to avoid getting doused by his players at the end of Friday night's 35-7 victory over Geneseo at Flinn Stadium. The victory wrapped up the Western Big 6 Conference title for the Blue Devils. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School football players proved they can be resourceful. Late in the fourth quarter Friday night at Flinn Stadium and the starters on the sidelines with a 35-7 lead over Geneseo, a plan was hatched to dump a cooler of water on Blue Devils coach Rick Little at game’s end to…

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Yo, Adrian: Sommers’ goal, stronger second-half play helps Blue Devils win home finale

Quincy High School's Trace Routh uses his head to redirect a corner kick toward the goal during the first half of Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Geneseo at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — At every turn Tuesday night, the Quincy High School boys soccer players caught a glimpse of the program’s storied past. From Dev Reeves, arguably the most significant player in program history, to Donivan Bradshaw, one of the Blue Devils’ greatest scorers, to Jay Ray and his son, J.D., the first father-son combo to…

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QHS’s Reddy wins WB6 singles championship, Hayes twins take second in doubles

Quincy High School sophomore Anika Reddy, left, won the Western Big 6 Conference singles championship Saturday in Rock Island, Ill., while the senior tandem of Lily and Phoebe Hayes took second in the doubles bracket. | Submitted photo

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Quincy High School girls tennis team gave the rest of the teams in the Class 2A Belleville West Sectional something to be leery about. That’s top-flight competitors coming into the postseason event riding high. QHS sophomore Anika Reddy knocked off the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds as she won the…

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Blue Devils outlast Golden Warriors to remain undefeated, improve to 7-0 for first time since 1935

Quincy High School linebacker Ty Douglas tackles Sterling's Kaedon Phillips during Friday night's Western Big 6 Conference game in Sterling, Ill. | Photo courtesy Alex T. Paschal, Shaw Media Photojournalist

STERLING, Ill. — Inevitably, it happens. A clunker. A stinker. A misstep. Being able to endure one of those and still find a way to succeed separates good teams from championship teams. Friday night, the state-ranked Quincy High School football team found a way to navigate past its mistakes and beat Sterling 35-33 in a…

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Have mercy: Blue Devils bury Silver Streaks with first-half onslaught, Little throws seven TD passes

Quincy High School tailback Jeraius Rice Jr., left, runs away from Galesburg's Markis Lewis on a 33-yard touchdown catch-and-run in the first quarter Friday night at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The halftime instructions were simple and succinct. Don’t be lollygaggers. Having built a 56-5 lead over Galesburg by intermission Friday night, the Quincy High School football team’s starters were told they wouldn’t be taking a snap in the second half. Although this was the fourth time in six games the Blue Devils have…

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Photo gallery: QHS football team improves to 6-0 with homecoming whalloping of Galesburg

From left, Quincy High School captains Ryan Mast, Chris Flachs, Adon Byquist and Owen Zanger lead the Blue Devils to the field for Friday night's game against Galesburg at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School football team piled up 56 points in the first half Friday night and rolled to a 56-19 victory over Galesburg in Western Big 6 Conference play at Flinn Stadium. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening at Flinn Stadium and put together this photo gallery:

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Blue Devils capitalize on tide-turning moments, beat Panthers yet again with offensive onslaught

Quincy High School quarterback Bradyn Little threw six touchdown passes in Friday night's 63-27 victory over United Township at the Soule Bowl in East Moline, Ill. | Muddy River Sports file photo

EAST MOLINE, Ill. — Three plays changed everything for the Quincy High School football team. Sure the final score ended up 63-27 with the final 14 minutes played with a running clock, but the Blue Devils needed the tide-turning moments to shoot down United Township in Friday night’s Western Big 6 Conference matchup at the…

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Blue Devils pick right time to make defensive stand, intercept Maroons’ plan for last-minute rally

Quincy High School junior cornerback Rico Clay, left, returns an interception up the sideline in front of the QHS bench to seal a 34-27 victory over Moline in Western Big 6 Conference action Friday night at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Rico Clay heeded the warnings the Quincy High School football coaches blared. Moline quarterback Drew Phelps needed a warning not to throw Clay’s way. With the Maroons facing third and 15 from the Blue Devils’ 25-yard line and trailing by seven points with 39.7 seconds remaining in regulation Friday night, Phelps threw a…

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Photo gallery: QHS football team improves to 4-0 with WB6 victory against Moline

Quincy High School running back Jeraius Rice Jr., left, and assistant coach Brigham John share a moment at the end of warmups Friday night prior to the Blue Devils' game againt Moline at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School football team is 4-0 for the first time since 2007 after holding off Moline 34-27 for a Western Big 6 Conference victory Friday night at Flinn Stadium. Muddy River Sports editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening at the venerable facility and put together this photo gallery:

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Blue Devils suffer third straight loss, fall to Maroons in key WB6 matchup

Moline defender Karinton Djikpe, left, and Quincy High School forward Josh Stupavsky battle to win a ball in the air during the first half of Tuesday's Western Big 6 Conference game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — So often in the wake of a loss, it becomes easy to play a game of “what if.” For example, what if Josh Stupavsky’s shot 36 seconds into Tuesday night’s Western Big 6 Conference boys soccer game had hit the inside of the left post and kicked into the goal? Instead, it hit…

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Photo gallery: QHS soccer team battles Moline for top spot in Western Big 6

Quincy High School defender Asher Otten, left, and goalkeeper Lucas Shepherd get ready for the start of Tuesday's Western Big 6 Conference match against Moline at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Three games into the Western Big 6 Conference season, the Quincy High School boys soccer team finds itself needing a little help to retain the conference crown. The Blue Devils suffered a 2-1 loss to Moline on Tuesday night at Flinn Stadium, leaving the Maroons and United Township tied for the WB6 lead…

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Photo gallery: QHS football team opens WB6 play by crushing Rock Island

Quincy High School running back Jeraius Rice looks for running room against Rock Island during last Friday's Western Big 6 Conference opener against Rock Island at Almquist Field in Rock Island, Ill. | Photo courtesy Bridgett Zanger

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Quincy High School football team set the appropriate tone for its pursuit of a Western Big 6 Conference championship, opening league play last Friday night with a 41-7 victory over Rock Island at Almquist Field. Bridgett Zanger put together this photo gallery from the Blue Devils’ victory and shared it…

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Rock and roll: Blue Devils invoke running clock with overwhelming effort at Rocky in WB6 opener

The Quincy High School football team takes the field to start an offensive possession during Friday night's game against Rock Island at Almquist Field in Rock Island, Ill. | Photo courtesy Bridgett Zanger

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — A good high school football team is usually driven by a handful of standouts. When you have a bushel of stars, great things come. Quincy High School is one of those kinds of teams. It is hard to find a place where there is a hole on this Quincy team and…

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One thing leads to another: Douglas takes charge, guides Blue Devils to WB6 victory

Quincy High School volleyball coach Kate Brown, right, addresses her team during Thursday night's match against Geneseo at the QHS gym. | Steve Eighinger photo

QUINCY — Quincy High School volleyball coach Kate Brown had just watched her team get hit with a haymaker at the onset of Thursday’s Western Big 6 Conference match against Geneseo. “I wondered what was going on,” Brown admitted. With her club down 10-0, Brown turned to Ayanna Douglas and informed the junior hitter, “You’ve…

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Victory in WB6 opener is progress Blue Devils want to see, but they know more is needed

Quincy High School sophomore Trace Routh reacts to scoring during Tuesday night's 2-1 victory over Rock Island Alleman in the Western Big 6 Conference opener at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys soccer team is playing a game of progression. The rules are quite simple. Improve with every practice. “When you practice, you get a little better each time,” senior defender Nolan Dede said. By doing that, the Blue Devils believe they will hoist a trophy or plaque — maybe…

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Photo gallery: Two first-half goals carry QHS boys soccer team to victory in home opener

Quincy High School defender Justin Dreyer heads a ball out of danger during the first half of Tuesday night's Western Big 6 Conference game against Rock Island Alleman at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — First-half goals by Evan Sohn and Trace Routh less than five minutes apart in the first half Tuesday night allowed the Quincy High School boys soccer team to earn a 2-1 victory over Rock Island Alleman in the home opener at Flinn Stadium. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Sschuckman put together this photo…

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Blue Devils to find themselves front and center in WB6 football title talks

Quincy High School football coach Rick Little, right, and his staff watch a play develop during last season's game against Alton at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Rick Little better pack a zinger or two in his back pocket. A few are bound to be thrown his way. The Quincy High School football coach will join the other seven Western Big 6 Conference coaches as guest speakers at the WB6 Coaches Kickoff banquet, taking place next Wednesday at the Quad…

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Hammers time: QHS sophomore hits walk-off grand slam, drives in nine runs in WB6 sweep

Quincy High School sophomore right fielder Tykell Hammers hit a walk-off grand slam in the ninth inning Saturday against Sterling to complete a Western Big 6 Conference doubleheader sweep. | Photo courtesy Samantha Carmean

QUINCY — Trailing by 10 runs heading to the bottom of the third inning Saturday, the Quincy High School baseball team systematically started a comeback. The rally ended in grand fashion. The Blue Devils scored six runs in the third inning, twice more in the sixth and two more times in the seventh to send…

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Photo gallery: QHS baseball team scores 30 runs in sweeping Sterling in WB6 doubleheader

Quincy High School's Alex Logan, left, greets catcher Owen Zanger on his way back to the dugout between innings during Saturday's doubleheader against Sterling at the QHS field. | Photo courtesy Samantha Carmean

QUINCY — The Quincy High School baseball team ended the first half of Saturday’s Western Big 6 Conference doubleheader with Sterling in four innings. The Blue Devils made up for it in the nightcap, needing nine innings to walk off with a 14-10 victory and the sweep. Photographer Samantha Carmean captured these images from the…

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Highs and Lowe: Blue Devils finish week on four-game win streak, climb back to .500 mark

Quincy High School center fielder Evan Sohn reacts to hitting an RBI triple in the first inning Friday against Rock Island Alleman during a Western Big 6 Conference doubleheader. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The reality of where the week began made Blake Bunch sigh. “Monday,” he said, “we were four games under .500.” It’s not how the Quincy High School baseball team’s week ended. The Blue Devils went on the road and scored midweek victories at New Berlin and Macomb and finished off a perfect five-day…

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Photo gallery: QHS baseball team sweeps WB6 doubleheader from Alleman

Quincy High School right fielder Tykell Hammers, right, jokes around with junior catcher Owen Zanger before Friday's Western Big 6 Conference doubleheader against Rock Island Alleman at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — An aggressive approach on the base paths and the willingness to be patient at the plate enabled the Quincy High School baseball team to sweep a Western Big 6 Conference doubleheader from Rock Island Alleman on Friday, winning 14-4 and 10-0 at QU Stadium. The Blue Devils have won four consecutive games to…

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Maroons continue WB6 diamond dominance, beat Blue Devils to remain unbeaten in league play

Quincy High School catcher Owen Zanger, right, fields a bunt in front of Blue Devils pitcher Brady Lowe during Tuesday's game against Moline at the QHS field. | Samantha Carmean photo

QUINCY — Craig Schimmel is no physician, but his diagnosis was spot on. “We had about a five-minute stretch that was uncharacteristic for us,” the Moline baseball coach said. “We looked like we were brain dead out there.” Yes, the bottom of the third inning proved to be a bit testy for the Maroons, but…

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Lopsided WB6 victory helps prep Blue Devils for upcoming gauntlet of tough tests

Quincy High School forward Kenzie O'Brien, left, attacks Sterling defender Maria Garcia during the first half of Monday's Western Big 6 Conference game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The lopsided nature of Monday’s Western Big 6 Conference game suggested there wasn’t much for the Quincy High School girls soccer team to gain from its effort. Reality proved otherwise. The 12-0 victory over Sterling at Flinn Stadium kept the Blue Devils undefeated through eight games, a significant fact when it comes time…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls soccer team steamrolls Sterling in WB6 play to remain undefeated

Quincy High School wing defender Anna Morrison, right, pushes the ball upfield against Sterling's Kassie Britt during Monday's Western Big 6 Conference game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Bri Lannerd racked up five goals. Ava Soltwedel and Maddie O’Brien, a pair of defensive stalwarts, scored their first career goals. And the Quincy High School girls soccer team rolled to a 12-0 victory Sterling in Western Big 6 Conference action Monday night at Flinn Stadium. The Blue Devils are 6-0-2 overall and…

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Competitive play in WB6 loss shows progress QHS softball team is making

Quincy High School catcher Kate Mettemeyer gets set for a pitch during Thursday's Western Big 6 Conference matchup with Sterling at the QHS field. | Samantha Carmean photo

QUINCY — From Darrell Henze’s perspective, the glass remains half full. Sure, the Quincy High softball coach watched his club drop a 15-6 Western Big 6 Conference game on a breezy Thursday afternoon to undefeated Sterling, but Henze was far from despondent.  The Blue Devils, now 3-3 overall and 0-2 in the conference, are working…

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Blue Devils end demanding stretch with one-goal conference victory and earn day of rest

Quincy High School forward Breighlyn Thomas scored the Blue Devils' lone goal in a 1-0 victory Tuesday night against United Township at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Does having survived playing five games in five days without a loss earn the Quincy High School girls soccer team a day of rest come Wednesday? “Oh, hell yes,” Blue Devils coach Travis Dinkheller said. Quincy finished its physically taxing stretch Tuesday night with a 1-0 victory over United Township in Western Big…

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Moline to play for Class 4A state title, looks to give WB6 its third champion since league’s inception

Moline boys basketball coach Sean Taylor shouts instructions to his team during Friday's Class 4A state semifinal victory over Downers Grove North at State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill. | Photo courtesy Clark Brooks, PhotoNews Media

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Moline boys basketball coach Sean Taylor delivered one final message to his team in the locker room Friday night before the Maroons left State Farm Center and headed back to their hotel. “We didn’t come here to get second,” he said. The Maroons earned the chance to make that reality. A sizzling…

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Blue Devils’ Longcor, Fohey earn first-team All-Western Big 6 Conference honors

Quincy High School sophomore guard Bradley Longcor III, left, and junior forward Taylor Fohey were first-team selections for the All-Western Big 6 Conference boys and girls basketball teams, respectively. | Matt Schuckman photos

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team’s second-place finish in the Western Big 6 Conference led to three players earning all-conference honors. Meanwhile, the QHS girls placed two players on the All-WB6 squad. Sophomore guard Bradley Longcor III garnered first-team plaudits, while sophomore forward Keshaun Thomas was a second-team selection and junior guard…

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Blue Devils reach another milestone victory in style by dunking Maple Leafs

Camden Brown led the Quincy High School boys basketball team to a Western Big 6 Conference victory over Geneseo on Friday night at Blue Devil Gym. | Muddy River Sports file photo

QUINCY — A milestone moment needed a signature start and an emphatic finish. Camden Brown and Milton Whitfield delivered on both fronts. Brown’s breakaway dunk 30 seconds into Friday night’s Western Big 6 Conference game got the Quincy High School boys basketball team rolling. Then Whitfield provided a steal and flush to punctuate a 66-28…

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Tuning it out, dialing it in: Moline ignores Blue Devil Gym’s fervor, uses defense to silence QHS in battle at top of WB6

Quincy High School guard Bradley Longcor III, left, looks to make a move around Moline's Brock Harding during Friday night's Western Big 6 Conference game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Dominique Clay’s fist-pumping reaction to Tyler Sprick’s 3-pointer drove the decibel level inside Blue Devil Gym to arguably its peak Friday night. The Moline boys basketball players simply ignored it. “That’s because we have a bunch of seniors,” Maroons coach Sean Taylor said. Their response screamed of experience. Despite falling behind by as…

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Photo gallery: Quincy, Moline battle for first in WB6 at Blue Devil Gym

Quincy High School's Bradley Longcor III sets himself for a sideline inbounds play while being guarded by Moline's Jasper Ogburn during Friday night's Western Big 6 Conference game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Western Big 6 Conference championship likely won’t stay in Quincy for another year. The Moline boys basketball team’s 57-46 victory Friday night at Blue Devil Gym means Quincy High School — the reigning WB6 champion — is now two games behind the Maroons in the league standings with three games to play.…

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WB6 title hopes at stake when Blue Devils, Maroons square off at Blue Devil Gym

Quincy High School's Tyler Sprick, left, pressure Moline's Brock Harding during their Western Big 6 Conference matchup at Wharton Field House in Moline, Ill., on December 16. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Sitting in the bleachers of what at that moment was a relatively empty Blue Devil Gym, Camden Brown gazed around as he envisioned what Friday night’s crowd might be like. “Hopefully it’s sold out,” he said. It should be. The Quincy High School boys basketball team puts its Western Big 6 Conference title…

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Three of a kind: QHS wrestling team finishes second in WB6 behind three individual champs

Quincy High School's Owen Uppinghouse controls Sterling's Thomas Tate during their 160-pound championship match Saturday during the Western Big 6 Conference championships at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Perfection, maturity and optimism. Therein lies what the Quincy High School wrestling program’s three Western Big 6 Conference individual champions put on display Saturday. Owen Uppinghouse stayed perfect, finishing the regular season with a 36-0 record as he won the 160-pound title. Bryor Newbold defeated a returning WB6 champion and reversed a loss…

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Blue Devils push back after ragged start, earn WB6 road victory

STERLING, Ill. — Finally, the Quincy High School girls basketball players said enough was enough. Following Thursday night’s loss at Galesburg that dropped the Blue Devils a game out of first place in the Western Big 6 Conference standings, they allowed Sterling to open Saturday’s league game at Musgrove Fieldhouse on a 16-4 run. “They…

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Photo gallery: WB6 wrestling championships take place at QHS gym

Quincy High School freshman wrestler Todd Smith, right, gets set to pin Rock Island's Eli Gustafson in the second period of their 285-pound semifinal match Saturday during the Western Big 6 Conference championships at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School wrestling team finished second in the Western Big 6 Conference, having three grapplers win individual championships and five others place in the top three during Saturday’s WB6 tournament at the QHS gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent his afternoon matside and captured the action in this photo…

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Thomas, Blue Devils power way through second half to set up showdown with Maroons

Quincy High School sophomore forward Keshaun Thomas scored 18 points in the second half Friday night, guiding the Blue Devils to a 57-45 victory over Sterling in Western Big 6 Conference action. | File photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

STERLING, Ill. — Saddled to the bench for the duration of the second quarter Friday night, Keshaun Thomas bottled his frustration and was anxious to unleash it. The Sterling boys basketball team felt the brunt of that. Thomas, Quincy High School’s 6-foot-6 sophomore forward, scored 11 of the Blue Devils’ 14 points in the third…

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