Blue Devils look dominant in dismantling previously unbeaten Panthers in WB6 play

EAST MOLINE, Ill. — It was difficult to tell which was more dominant — Quincy High School’s offense or defense.

The Blue Devils racked up 399 yards of total offense and limited United Township to 19 yards of offense in the first half in an impressive 48-14 victory Friday night in Western Big 6 Conference play at the Soule Bowl.

After winning three straight games, United Township (3-1, 1-1 WB6) missed a chance to establish its first four-game winning streak since 2001. Quincy improved to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in league play.

The Blue Devils had multiple stars on offense. Shammy Gay had 10 carries for 129 yards and three touchdowns. After QHS established an early lead, Brian Douglas carried 17 times for 104 yards and a touchdown, helping milk time off the clock.

Quarterback Adon Byquist only completed five of his 10 passes, but two of them were touchdowns to Gregory Quince from 39 and 15 yards. Even freshman Bradyn Little’s only completion went for a 24-yard touchdown pass to Makhi Lewis in the fourth quarter.

Were it not for a 31-yard run by Loren Arrington in the first half, the Panthers would have had minus-12 yards at the intermission. The only other positive play for United Township in the first half came in the second quarter when Byquist threw a lateral to Gay that was dropped and fell to the turf. Gay didn’t pursue the loose ball, and Antwan Hawthorne scooped it up and raced 21 yards to get the hosts within 21-6 with 3:22 left before halftime.

Quincy quickly made up for the mistake. Facing a fourth and 15 from the Panthers’ 40-yard line, the Blue Devils lined up in punt formation. However, Douglas went from his position as personal protector for Byquist, the punter, and went under center. He took the snap, took two steps to his right and gave the ball to Gay on a counter to the left.

Gay saw no one in front of him when he got the ball, turned upfield, avoided a couple of tacklers at the UT 10 and scored to put the Blue Devils ahead 28-6 with 70 seconds left at halftime.

The rout was on when Quincy scored on the first drive of the third quarter, marching 62 yards to set up a five-yard score by Douglas.

Quince also excelled on defense, intercepting two passes. The Blue Devils frustrated sophomore quarterback Matthew Kelley, who completed just 3 of 12 passes for 11 yards.