QUINCY, Ill. - The Quincy University sprint football team will return to action on Saturday, October 31st, for a Midwest Sprint Football League tournament semifinal matchup against Midway University.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon at Midway Turf Field as the Hawks look to extend their season and earn a place in the MSFL championship game. The postseason contest marks the third meeting between Quincy and Midway this season, giving the Hawks another opportunity to compete against the league's top-ranked team with a championship berth on the line.

Quincy enters the tournament in third place in the MSFL standings with a 2-4 record, while Midway sits atop the standings at 5-1.

The Hawks will travel to Kentucky following two regular-season meetings with the Eagles, including their most recent matchup on October 24th. Saturday's semifinal presents a new opportunity for Quincy, with the winner advancing to the MSFL championship game and the loser's season coming to an end.

The other semifinal will feature Bellarmine University and Calumet College of St. Joseph at 5:00 PM on Saturday. Calumet, which holds a 5-1 record and ranks second in the league standings, will host the fourth-place Knights in Whiting, Indiana.

Bellarmine enters the postseason at 0-6. With both semifinal contests taking place on Halloween, Saturday's results will determine the two teams that advance to compete for the MSFL championship.

For the Hawks, the focus now shifts from the regular-season standings to a single-elimination postseason opportunity. Quincy has already faced Midway twice, giving the team firsthand experience with the Eagles' offensive approach and the challenges presented by their roster. 

Third Meeting Against Midway

The teams first met in September at QU Stadium, where Midway earned a 65-12 victory. The teams met again in October in Midway, with the Eagles recording a 51-0 win. Both games featured stretches in which Quincy moved the football and generated opportunities, while Midway capitalized on turnovers and explosive plays.

In the September meeting, the Hawks finished with 20 first downs, matching Midway's total, and ran 84 offensive plays compared with 54 for the Eagles. Quincy recorded 178 passing yards and 86 net rushing yards, totaling 264 yards of offense. The Hawks also converted nine of 21 third-down attempts and two of three fourth-down opportunities.

Those numbers reflected Quincy's ability to sustain several drives and remain on the field offensively, even as turnovers and Midway's scoring efficiency influenced the final result.

Midway opened the September contest with an interception returned for a touchdown, but Quincy responded with a field goal by Jensen Laughlin from 32 yards out. Laughlin later added a 39-yard field goal in the second quarter, providing the Hawks with their other points before Quincy found the end zone in the third quarter.

The scoring drive covered 73 yards in seven plays and ended with a one-yard touchdown run by Donnell Packer. Although the Hawks were unable to convert the two-point attempt, the drive provided a scoring highlight after halftime.

Packer's touchdown was one of the key offensive moments for Quincy in that first meeting. The Hawks also demonstrated the ability to put together extended possessions, including a 14-play drive that covered 63 yards and ended with Laughlin's second field goal. That possession showed the offense's ability to control the ball for a sustained stretch. On special teams, Laughlin contributed as both the kicker and punter, recording two field goals and averaging 34.3 yards per punt.

The second meeting took place at Midway Turf Field. The Eagles scored seven points in the first quarter before putting together a 28-point second quarter. Midway added 16 points in the third quarter, while both teams were held scoreless in the fourth. Quincy finished with 12 first downs and 90 total yards of offense, including 76 net rushing yards and 14 passing yards. The Hawks attempted 44 rushing plays and held possession for 34:07, while Midway generated 444 total yards.

Despite the final score, Quincy produced several individual rushing performances in the contest. Travon Hegler-Wright led the Hawks with 84 rushing yards on 10 carries, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt, while Donnell Packer added 54 yards on six carries. Lawrence Benson contributed 31 yards on five attempts. The rushing production gave Quincy several positive individual performances to build on as it prepares for the postseason rematch.

Defensively, Packer led the Hawks with 12 total tackles, including three tackles for loss. Kamryn Flachs-Hill added eight tackles and forced a fumble, while Thomas Murray Jr. recorded five tackles and an interception. The defense also recorded nine tackles for loss and two sacks as a team.

The two regular-season matchups have given Quincy a clear look at the areas that will be important on Saturday: protecting the football, limiting explosive plays, sustaining offensive possessions and making the most of scoring opportunities. In a postseason setting, the Hawks will look to turn those lessons into a more complete performance as they pursue a spot in the championship game.

Season Overview: Two Wins and a Postseason Opportunity

Quincy enters the MSFL tournament after a regular season that included two victories over Bellarmine and several opportunities to test itself against the conference's top competition. The Hawks opened the year with a 28-21 victory over Bellarmine at QU Stadium, giving the program an early conference win and setting the tone for a season that would include another victory over the Knights later in the schedule.

In the season opener, Quincy established itself offensively with 405 total yards, including 268 passing yards and 137 rushing yards. The Hawks found the end zone three times on the ground and added a field goal to secure the seven-point victory. The offense's ability to produce through both the passing and rushing games helped Quincy get off to a winning start.

The Hawks faced Calumet College of St. Joseph in their second game, falling 21-6 at QU Stadium. Quincy later traveled to Indiana, where Calumet earned a 42-10 victory. Between those matchups, Quincy hosted Midway, recording 12 points in a 65-12 contest. The Hawks continued conference play with a trip to Louisville, Kentucky, where they earned their second win of the season with a 21-14 victory over Bellarmine.

The October victory was an important result for Quincy as it prepared for its final regular-season matchup against Midway. The Hawks produced 261 yards of total offense, including 167 rushing yards, and scored three rushing touchdowns. The defense also contributed to the victory by limiting Bellarmine to 166 total yards and recording six tackles for loss.

Quincy entered the regular-season finale with a 2-3 record before facing Midway. Although the Eagles secured a victory, the Hawks finished the regular season with a 2-4 record and a third-place position in the MSFL standings. With the postseason field set, Quincy now has the opportunity to compete for a championship despite the challenges it faced during the regular season.

Offensive Contributors Lead the Way for Quincy

The Hawks have relied on contributions from multiple players throughout the season, particularly in the rushing game. Travon Hegler-Wright and Donnell Packer have provided production on the ground, while Lawrence Benson has also contributed as a rushing option.

Hegler-Wright delivered one of his strongest performances of the season in the matchup against Midway, finishing with 84 rushing yards on 10 carries. His longest run covered 23 yards, and he averaged 8.4 yards per attempt. Packer added 54 yards on six carries, averaging nine yards per attempt, while Benson finished with 31 yards on five carries. The trio combined for 169 rushing yards, providing Quincy with several productive individual performances against a challenging opponent.

Packer has contributed on both sides of the ball throughout the season. In addition to his work as a running back, he has been a consistent presence on defense. Against Midway, he led Quincy with 12 total tackles, including three tackles for loss. His ability to contribute in multiple phases has made him an important part of the Hawks' lineup.

Quincy's passing game will also be an area to watch in the semifinal. In the September matchup with Midway, the Hawks recorded 178 passing yards and completed 13 passes. Evan Lopez led the team with 65 receiving yards, while Nasir Carson added 46 yards and Lafabian Fain contributed 35 yards. Those performances demonstrated the receiving group's ability to create opportunities through the air.

The Hawks will look to combine their rushing production with improved passing efficiency as they prepare for Saturday's contest. Sustaining drives and converting opportunities into points will be important against a Midway defense that has limited Quincy's offensive production in the previous meetings.

Defensive Efforts Will Be Important in the Semifinal

Quincy will also look to its defensive unit to help set the tone in the postseason. The Hawks have recorded several strong individual performances throughout the year, including their contest against Midway, when the defense registered nine tackles for loss and two sacks.

Packer's 12-tackle performance led the team in the most recent matchup, while Kamryn Flachs-Hill finished with eight tackles and a forced fumble. Thomas Murray Jr. added five tackles and an interception. Kyron Dunae and Logan Cannady also contributed to the pass rush, with each recording half a sack.

The defense's ability to pressure the quarterback and disrupt opposing plays will be a key factor as Quincy faces Midway for the third time. The Eagles have demonstrated the ability to produce through both the passing and rushing games, making it important for the Hawks to limit big plays and create opportunities to regain possession.

In the September meeting, Quincy recorded five tackles for loss and held Midway to 121 net rushing yards. The Hawks also forced the Eagles to attempt several fourth-down plays, including an early fourth-down pass that fell incomplete. Although Midway ultimately produced 499 total yards in that contest, Quincy's defense had moments of resistance that it can look to build upon.

The postseason matchup will provide another opportunity for the Hawks to apply what they have learned from the first two meetings. Limiting explosive plays, improving field position and creating turnovers could help Quincy establish momentum against the top team in the league.

Laughlin Earns MSFL Special Teams Recognition

One of Quincy's individual highlights this season came when senior kicker and punter Jensen Laughlin was named the MSFL Special Teams Player of the Week following the Hawks' victory over Bellarmine. The honor marked the first player-of-the-week award for Quincy sprint football during the 2026 season.

Laughlin played an important role in the win, converting all three of his extra-point attempts after Quincy's rushing touchdowns. He also handled four kickoffs for 229 yards, averaging 57.3 yards per kickoff, and recorded five punts for 199 yards. Two of his punts landed inside the 20-yard line, helping Quincy influence field position throughout the game.

One of Laughlin's most significant plays came in the closing seconds against Bellarmine. After the Hawks secured an interception with just over a minute remaining, Quincy faced a fourth-and-six situation from its own 33-yard line with eight seconds left. Laughlin delivered a 63-yard punt that traveled to the Bellarmine four-yard line, pinning the Knights deep in their own territory as time expired.

The performance demonstrated Laughlin's value in multiple special-teams situations, from extra points and kickoffs to punting under pressure. His experience will be important for Quincy as the Hawks prepare for the semifinal, where field position and the ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities could play a significant role.

A Championship Opportunity Awaits

Saturday's semifinal marks the next stage of the MSFL tournament, with Quincy facing the challenge of taking on the league's top-ranked team on its home field.

Midway finished the regular season at 5-1, matching Calumet's record, while Quincy enters the postseason at 2-4. Despite the difference in regular-season records, the semifinal provides both teams with a direct opportunity to advance to the championship game.

The Hawks will aim to draw on their season's experiences, including their two victories over Bellarmine, their performances against Calumet and their previous matchups with Midway. The team's rushing production, defensive contributions and special-teams play will all be important as Quincy looks to put together a complete performance.

For Quincy, the objective is clear: earn a road victory and keep its season alive. The Hawks will return to Midway Turf Field at noon on Saturday, October 31st, for their third meeting with the Eagles, with a place in the MSFL championship game on the line.