Quincy, Ill. - The Battle of Illinois, the Quincy versus McKendree game according to the Hawks, was indeed a battle through and through. Though the Quincy football team stayed on top during the first half, a scoring surge from the Bearcats in the third quarter put hte Hawks under .500 in conference play.

First Half
The first true fall-like day in Quincy set the stage well for the Hawks. A long, nearly four-minute long drive from the Quincy 20-yard line gave the Hawks the upper hand in the first quarter. The Hawks worked slowly to the one-yard line where Jadon Washington was able to push the ball past the goal line. Michael Owens put the extra point kick away, giving the Hawks a seven point lead after one drive. 

Fire kept burning for the Hawks when Brock Inman intercepted a McKendree pass in the next drive and took it within 30 yards of the Quincy end zone. A string of rushes from Washington again put the Hawks up two touchdowns in the first half of the quarter. McKendree found some energy shortly after with tow touchdowns of their own in the first quarter.

The Hawks got back on track at the beginning of the second quarter with a touchdown off the first drive. Washington, again, took the ball thirteen yards up to the end zone. McKendree came back to tie once again. 

The next drive brought some excitement from starting quarterback Ike Wiley when he took the ball up the middle for 26 yards, dodging multiple attempts at a tackle, and landed himself eight yards from the goal line. This set JQ Brown up nicely for two short rushes finishing with a dance in the end zone. A last-second, 41-yard field goal squared the second quarter away, the Hawks leading 31-21. 

Second Half
Like the start of the second quarter, the Bearcats started off with more energy in the third, scoring a touchdown on the first drive. The Bearcats got another seven points on their next drive, and the Hawks stayed scoreless for the third quarter. 

Things looked promising early in the fourth when Teon Dollard went for a 45-yard run, only to fumble and lose the drive to the Bearcats. The Bearcats got another touchdown later in the quarter to secure their win. A long drive from the Hawks resulted in a 27-yard field goal, finishing the game 41-34. 

The Hawks look to bounce back next weekend in their last home contest against Missouri S&T. The Hawks will also celebrate senior day in a double header day with sprint football.