1974-75 Varsity Football Team

The first year the Illinois High School Association sanctioned statewide football playoffs, Quincy High School was part of the mix.

The 1974 QHS team went 8-1 in the regular season, won the Western Big Six Conference championship for the third time in four years and earned a first-round playoff date with perennial powerhouse East St. Louis.

A 34-21 loss to the Flyers, a team that featured NFL Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow and finished as the Class 5A state runner-up, couldn’t diminish what the Blue Devils accomplished.

Running back Darrell Douglas, who rushed for 1,005 yards and 10 touchdowns, was named MVP and earned a scholarship to Purdue.

Dan Von Holt was named the most valuable lineman, and Gordon Willis earned the Golden Helmet award.

The Blue Devils were coached by Bill Gross and a staff that included future QHS head coaches Jim Schultz and Paul Koscielski.

The 1974 Season
QHS 30, East Moline 7
QHS 7, Alton 6
QHS 23, Moline 7
QHS 14, Champaign Central 0
QHS 26, Galesburg 12
Alleman 13, QHS 6
QHS 28, Burlington 14
QHS 15, Rock Island 6
QHS 18, Hannibal 7
East St. Louis 34, QHS 21