QUINCY, Ill. - On the first day of competition for the 2023 season athletic season, the QU Football Team played the role of host. After failing to score and falling behind 22-0 in the first period of play, QU outscored their opponents, the Chadron State Eagles, in the three remaining quarters of the contest. The comeback bid fell just short, as the Hawks had a field goal chance to win it in the final seconds, but ultimately couldn't get over the hump in a 35-34 loss to open the 2023 campaign. 

The first quarter was all Chadron State. The Eagles found pay dirt on three occasions and even a two-point-conversion to open up a 22-0 advantage through the first 15 minutes of play. 

Quincy's offense got within field goal range on the second drive of the quarter but couldn't make good on the 47-yard attempt. The Hawks final drive of the frame was jump started by a 62 yard return from Jalen Lawrence to the Chadron 25-yard line. Two rushes from Jadon Washington along with two connections from Drake Davis to Marlin Washington and Hans Wisnewski brought the hawks to the the CSC 3-yard line as the quarter ended. 

Jadon Washington opened the second frame with two rushes and the first touchdown of the season for the Hawks. Michael Owens slammed home the extra point to make it 22-7 at the 14:42 mark. 

Shortly after on 3rd and long during the Chadron State drive, Peyton Plunkett picked off CSC quarterback Heath Beemiller at the Chadron 30, running it 27 yards back to the CSC 3-yard line. Set up at first and goal, Quincy QB, Davis, took it to the house on the first play of the drive, rushing to the left for the 3-yard touchdown. Another good conversion from the leg of Owens drew the score to 22-14 just over two minutes into the second. 

Not satisfied with just an interception, Plunkett ripped free a fumble from the hands of Beemiller into the arms of Matt Austin on the next Chadron State drive to give the Hawks the ball back in short order. 

The Eagles extended their lead to 29-14 with a touchdown at the 4:15 mark in the second to round out the scoring in the first half of the contest. 

The defenses earned their keep during the third quarter, allowing only a single score throughout the 15 minutes. Quincy put points on the board with their second drive of the frame at the 3:47 mark.

Backed up to the Quincy 20, Davis was a perfect 5-5 for 73 yards through the air during the scoring drive, capping it off with the 24-yard connection to Marlin Washington for the tuddy making it 29-21 after three periods of play. 

Building on a drive started at the end of the third quarter, Chadron State marched down to the Quincy 1-yard line. Back at it again, Plunkett laid out the CSC QB, forcing a fumble. Plunkett recovered the ball at the Quincy nine and took it 91 yards for the score. Another good kick from Owens pulled the Hawks within one at 29-28 with a little over 10 minutes remaining in the fourth. 

Two more stops from a staunch and quickly improved QU defensive unit, including an interception and 17 yard return from Lazerick Hill gave the Hawks the ball with 5:05 to play at the Chadron 19-yard line. 

JQ Brown slipped away to the right side following a CSC penalty for a 6-yard touchdown run along with a converted extra point kick to give Quincy it's first lead of the game 34-29 with 4:16 remaining. 

A scoreless drive from both sides and a penalty on the Hawks found Chadron State at the Quincy 20 with 1:48 remaining. The Eagles regained the advantage with a 1-yard touchdown pass with 36 seconds remaining to make it 35-31. 

The Hawks moved from their own 33 to the CSC 36 as time drew short, forcing them to try a 47-yard field goal attempt. The kick was up as time expired but was no good, sealing a 35-34 defeat for Quincy in their first contest of the year. 

Notable Performances:
Peyton Plunkett: Forced Fumble, 91-yrd Fumble Return, Int, 5 Tack, 2 for loss
Drake Davis: Pass TD, Rush TD, 16-27 for 165 Yds
Isaac Travis Jr. : 7 Receptions, 79 Yds. 
Jadon Washington: 56 Rush Yds, TD
Joseph Webb: 13 Tackles