ALTON - The Alton High football team played well and rallied from behind for the second straight week, but Quincy held on and defeated the Redbirds 27-20 in Alton's home opener Friday night at Public School Stadium.
In pre-game ceremonies, the new turf field and other renovations made to the stadium were dedicated, and the contributors to the field's conversion were honored in the ceremony.
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When the game started, the Blue Devils scored twice, on a Brian Douglas three-yard run in the first quarter and a Adon Byquist touchdown pass to Jack Mettemeyer on a fourth-down play with 10:32 left until halftime to give Quincy a 14-0 lead. The Redbirds countered on the second touchdown with Gage Depew scored from one yard out to make it 14-7, and after another Quincy touchdown, Keith Gilchrese also scored from the one to make it 20-13 Quincy with 1:13 left in the half.
Makin Lewis caught a touchdown pass from Byquist from five yards out to make it 27-13 with 8:15 left, but a 20-yard touchdown pass from Graham McAfoos to Jaylin Telford with 5:44 left cut the deficit to 27-20. The Redbirds did have one final chance, but were held by Quincy to preserve its win.
McAfoos was 16-of-27 passing for 212 yards and a touchdown, while Gilchrese ran for 86 yards and another score. Telford had five receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown.
The Redbirds are now 0-2 and host Collinsville next Friday night in a 7 p.m. kickoff.
