QUINCY, MI (WTVB) – Despite a performance for the ages by running back Noah Kelley, the Quincy Orioles suffered a gut-wrenching 27-22 loss Friday night at Springport in a Big 8 Conference battle.
With starting quarterback Joe Gray out of action after he was injured in last week’s game against Bronson, Kelley carried the ball on 50 of the Orioles 53 offensive plays.
He finished with 332 yards rushing unofficially and scored all three Quincy touchdowns.
Kelley’s second touchdown of the night early in the second quarter tied the game at 14-14. But Springport’s Tucker Wiginton returned the ensuing kickoff about 90 yards for a touchdown which put the Spartans ahead 21-14 at the half.
Springport extended their lead to 27-14 late in the third quarter as Rip Overweg threw his second touchdown pass of the game.
Kelley’s third touchdown of the game plus a two point conversion early in the fourth quarter cut Sparty’s lead to 27-22.
The Orioles recovered the onside kick and managed to march the ball down the field to the three yard line. But the Springport defense stiffened on 4th and 1 to preserve the win and clinch at least a tie for the Big 8 Conference championship. The Spartans can claim their second straight outright conference title with a win next week against Stockbridge.
It was the second time this season Quincy got within three yards of a winning score but were turned away. The same thing happened at Union City as the Chargers hung on for a 22-18 win in Week 4.
Quincy’s record fell to 4-4 as the Orioles dropped their third straight game after winning four of their first five contests. Springport is 7-1 overall and 7-0 in the Big 8.
The Orioles will wrap up the regular season next Friday night against arch-rival Reading in the Battle for the Bell.
BIG 8 CONFERENCE STANDINGS & SCORES AFTER WEEK 8
Bronson 42, Reading 16
Springport 27, Quincy 22
Union City 20, Centreville 0
Maple Valley 42, Stockbridge 6
Homer 60, East Jackson 0
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