Though United Township had an impressive offensive output Friday night at the Soule Bowl, the Panthers could not keep pace with the powerhouse Quincy attack, falling to the unbeaten Blue Devils 63-27. Quincy QB Bradyn Little threw six TD passes and finished 19-of-23 for 353 yards. Three receivers caught two scoring passes each: Adon Byquist (4 catches for 141 yards), Tykell Hammers (5 for 107) and Jack Mettemeyer (4 for 61). RB Jeraius Rice added 112 yards rushing and two scores. Leading 12-7 at the quarter break, the Blue Devils exploded for four 2nd quarter TDs and a 42-20 halftime lead, and added three more scores in the 3rd.
The Panthers tried to keep pace, with QB Matthew Kelley having a hugely productive game and earning Godfather’s Pizza Panthers Player of the Game honors. Kelley completed 12 of his first 13 passes and finished with 163 yards threw the air, including a 60-yard TD to Korey Randle, and an astonishing 200 yards on the ground on 15 carries, including TDs of 5 and 74 yards.
At 1-4 overall and 0-3 in Western Big 6 play, the Panthers will pick up a forfeit win over Alleman in Week 8, but to make the playoffs must win out with games at Rock Island next Friday, vs Moline (Oct. 6), and at Galesburg (Oct. 20). All Panthers games on QCSportsNet.com are presented by Van Hoe Funeral Home.