Quincy Athletics
Dylan Shick, Director of Athletic Communications
QUINCY – The Quincy University football team scored on offense, defense, and special teams during a 49-3 win over Newport News Apprentice School on Saturday.
The Hawks special teams was the first to break the ice on Saturday. After Newport News got two first downs on their opening drive, the Hawks defense got a stop on third down and long to force a punt.
On the punt attempt, a plethora of Hawks broke through the line. Quincy native Jackson Connell got to the punter first and blocked the kick. Braden Lowery scooped up the loose ball and returned it 18 yards for the first points of the game. QU led 7-0.
Quincy’s defense forced a three-and-out to quickly give the ball to the offense. The Hawks went on a twelve-play, 75-yard drive to go ahead two touchdowns. Oscee Calhoun capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown run to give QU a 14-0 lead with 3:28 left in the first quarter.
After another stop by QU’s defense, Quincy’s offense looked to go ahead by three scores. On just the fourth play of the drive, the Hawks fumbled, and it was recovered by the Builders.
Fortunately, the Hawks defense was quick to respond as the Builders took a deep shot on their first play. Safety DT Christiansen flagged down the deep ball in the end zone for the interception.
As the game moved into the second quarter, QU eyed another score. The Hawks marched eighty yards down the field in ten plays. The scoring drive was ended with a touchdown pass from Andrew Rund to his tight end, Briar Hancock. This brought the score to 21-0 QU.
Just before the half, the Hawks defense had two interceptions by Christiansen called back due to penalties. The home team went into the locker room with a 21-0 lead.
Quincy got the ball to start the second half, and they did not wait long to score. On the third play of the drive, Jalen Griffin broke off a 61-yard touchdown run that gave QU a four-touchdown cushion.
The defensive domination continued on the very next drive. On the Builders second play, A.J. Hardinintercepted a pass and returned it 32 yards for a Hawk touchdown. The Hawks moved further ahead 35-0 with 13:42 left in the third quarter.
For the third straight drive to open the second half, the Hawks turned in points. This time special teams once again made the play. Nathaniel McGhee blocked the Builders punt and Isaac Waller collected the lose ball. Waller returned the blocked kick 20 yards for QU’s second special teams touchdown of the game. This brought the score to 42-0.
In the fourth quarter, the Hawks added a touchdown with a pass from Trey Mosley to wide receiver Blake Huskey with under six minutes to play. QU led 49-0.
The Builders were able to get on the board with a 27-yard field goal, but that would be the extent of the scoring. Quincy went on to win 49-3.
The Hawks travel to McKendree next Saturday (Nov. 9) for a GLVC match up at 1:00 p.m.