Quincy's upset bid falls short at finish

Written by Gary Baker of the Coldwater Daily Reporter.

The game lived up to the story-line.

The high-powered Concord offense met the grit and fight of the Quincy Orioles. And it came down to the fourth quarter.

The Orioles were driving with less than 5 minutes left in the game as they broke into Concord territory. Quincy got to the 30 yard line and just when it looked like the Orioles would get into the end zone, Brandon Licht put the ball on the grass.

Concord recovered and was in business. On first down, Jordan Bulloch tossed a 34-yard strike to Christian Anderson. Two plays later, Bulloch hit Zach Brigham for a 37-yard touchdown to take a 20-14 lead. Brigham hit the point after, making the score 21-14.

The Orioles had a last chance, running a two-minute offense. After a trio of running plays, the Orioles ran a hook and ladder, with Bobby Banker catching the pass and lateraling the ball to Michael Brewer for a first down. Shane Rider hit Collin Cutler for 30-yard gain two plays later.

Quincy got down to the 15 with 11 second left and converted on fourth and five on a pass to Banker for 10 yards. Quincy's last gasp came with Rider firing to Banker in the end zone, but the pass was incomplete as time expired.

"The kids gave a great effort and didn't quit," said Quincy head coach Dave Bach. "Turnovers killed us, but they [Concord] made plays. They deserved to win."

The Yellowjackets took an early 7-0 lead at 4:08 in the first quarter with a 12-yard run by Jordan Bulloch. Brigham kicked the point after.

In the second quarter, Michael Brewer got the Orioles going with a 44-yard touchdown. Collin Cutler hit the point after, tying the score at 7. Just over four minutes later, Brewer reached paydirt on a 55-yard score, giving Quincy a 14-7 lead after a Cutler point after. At 5:19 in the third quarter, Patrick Clark tied the came for Concord on a 27-yard run and a Brigham point after.

The Orioles had a pair of fumbles and a failed fourth and 1 in Concord territory in the third quarter, which stifled drives and gave the Yellowjackets a chance.

"You can't put the ball on the ground in this game," said Bach.

Quincy had 274 yards on 55 carries. Shane Rider was 5-of-16 with 55 yards in the air. Michael Brewer had 185 yards on 31 carries to lead the rushing effort for Quincy. Patrick Clark had 184 yards on 16 carries for Concord. Yellowjacket quarterback Jordan Bulloch was 15-of-27 for 283 yards and two scores.

Quincy is now 1-3 overall and 1-2 in the Big Eight Conference and will visit Springport on Friday, Sept. 25. Concord is 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big Eight and will visit Union City on Friday, Sept. 25.