Queen City falls to Quitman on Homecoming night

Queen City lost a heartbreaker last Friday night as the Bulldogs fell to the Quitman Bulldogs, 25-20.

Before the contest Quiyon Ellison and Keaton Simpson were crowned Homecoming King and Queen.

First Quarter

Quitman received the ball to begin the game but a quick three-and-out gave Queen City the ball at the 10:40 mark.

QC started off well as running back Jeremiah Drayton took the initial hand off 21 yards, but three plays later QC was in punt formation.

The two teams traded possession until Drayton bolted across the goal line from 44 yards out.

The 2-point try was no good but QC was up 6-0 with 2:36 left on the clock.

Notable defensive plays from the first quarter included nice tackles by Mason Stringer, Cedric Davis, Ke’Idie Harrison and Drayton.

Before the opening quarter ended QC quarterback Clint Wiley connected with Kaden Fincher for 12 yards, Delvon Federick for 23 yards and Ellison for 12.

Second Quarter

Quitman’s next drive ate up just over ten minutes off the clock as they drove 81 yards in 17 plays.

The end result was a score at the 1:40 mark.

The PAT was successful and Quitman took a 7-6 lead.

QC endured its share of penalties throughout the game and what looked like a promising drive on its next set of downs ended when QC was hit with double penalties.

An errant snap forced Wiley to scramble and an incomplete pass gave Quitman the ball back with 36 seconds left in the half.

Three plays later Quitman scored again with 22 seconds left on the clock.

The PAT was no good but the other Bulldogs took a 13-6 lead into halftime.

Third Quarter

QC opened the second half with possession of the ball.

Working from the QC 41, Drayton hit the edge and gained 14 yards on the ground.

Wiley connected with brother Brayden after two short runs plays, and nearly had a passing TD as he hit Ellison who was tackled at the 1-yard line.

From there Wiley took the QB keeper across the goal line.

Federick ran in the 2-point try and QC was up 14-13 with 10:01 left in the third frame.

Quitman overcame a hefty penalty and a couple of third downs on its next drive, but eventually scored from 25 yards out.

The PAT was no good but the other Bulldogs took a 19-14 lead with 6:12 left in the quarter.

The two teams traded possessions before QC went on a tear during its next drive.

Working from the 31, Drayton picked up 12 yards on the ground.

On the next snap Drayton took the handoff and blazed down the field on a 56-yard run play. This drive could have changed the outlook of the contest.

Working from the 1-yard line, QC was stopped three times from crossing the goal line.

On that third down a holding penalty backed up our Bulldogs who would eventually turn the ball over to Quitman.

The quarter ended with Quitman running the ball.

Fourth Quarter

Quitman opened the last quarter by fumbling the ball away to QC deep in our Bulldogs’ territory.

From the 17-yard line Drayton bolted into the end zone with 11:34 left in the game.

The 2-point try was no good but QC was up by a slim margin of 20-19.

Big hits on the defensive side of the ball courtesy of James Obenosky and Evan Page kept Quitman on its heels.

Quitman punted on its next drive and QC began its next set of downs form its own 35.

Drayton picked up 26 yards on the next drive but a penalty against QC stalled the offense from scoring.

A couple of punts, two fumbles and an interception between the two squads kept either school from putting points in the board.

Quitman did score again at the 2:11 mark and took a 25-20 lead.

QC ran the 2-minute drill to near perfection as Wiley picked up 20 yards on the ground and Drayton added 27 of his own.

An incomplete pass and a sack ended QC’s hopes of scoring the final points of the contest to win the game.

QC welcomes the Frankston Indians to Smith-Wall Stadium this Friday night which is also Military Appreciation night.

Kickoff begins at 7:30 p.m.