Quincy Skanes carries Hubbard to win

Updated: October 21, 2011 10:14PM

Quincy Skanes improvised. He ended up making the right choice.

Hubbard’s star senior quarterback accounted for three touchdowns and coordinated the Greyhounds’ 28-8 victory over neighborhood rival Curie in a first-round Public League playoff game Friday night at Lane.

Looking to overcome a disappointing loss to Morgan Park that cost the Greyhounds the conference title, Skanes produced 197 yards of total offense to pace the Hubbard attack.

On the opening possession, Skanes directed a six-play, 47-yard touchdown drive. After scrambling on runs of 17 and 16 yards, Skanes broke against the grain on a run-pass option and scooted 10 yards on fourth and five for the opening score.

“It was supposed to be a pass, what we call a 55 mesh, and I was looking to see how the linebackers would react,” Skanes said. “Fortunately I was able to use my athleticism to get to the outside.”

Skanes rushed for 88 yards on nine carries and completed 3 of 4 passes for 109 yards for the Greyhounds (7-2). Quality was more important than quantity.

After his opposite number, Curie senior quarterback Jibreel Jackson, was stopped on fourth and five, Skanes stunned the Condors with a 67-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Backstrom. He under threw the ball, but the athletic and rangy 6-3 Backstrom elevated over the Curie defensive back, hauled the pass in and ran the final six yards for the 14-0 advantage.

Skanes’ brother Quinton Skanes (five carries, 46 yards) broke the game open with a 47-yard touchdown run with 3:23 remaining in the second quarter that extended the Greyhounds’ margin to 21-0.

Curie (5-4) mounted its most sustained drive of the game, a 13-play, 77-yard possession dominated by running back Kevonta McIntyre (20 carries, 66 yards). On fourth and goal from the Greyhounds’ 10, Hubbard forced Jackson (13 carries, 74 yards) into an incomplete pass.

Quincy Skanes punctuated his versatile performance by collaborating with Backstrom for a 36-yard touchdown strike for the Greyhounds’ final score.

Curie’s Erick Brooks averted the shutout by returning the ensuing kick off 88 yards for the only score for the defending Public League Prep Bowl representative.

“We were very disappointed with the Morgan Park loss, but we look out for each other on this team and we know that one game doesn’t make a season and there’s still a lot of football to be played,” Skanes said.

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