Quincy High School

Coming off a 5-4 season in which the Orioles outscored their opponents 267-224, Quincy enters the 2026 season looking to build on last year's progress. Offensive Line Returns Intact Quincy returns all five offensive line starters from a year ago, giving the Orioles valuable continuity up front. Seniors Rylen Dickey (#62), Ethan Drumm (#60), Tayte Waddell (#50), Evan Foley (#73), and Caleb Wendorf (#53) all return with starting experience. Juniors Tony Lucio (#77) and Weston Parker (#71) also enter the season competing for playing time, providing additional depth along the offensive line. Waddell and Drumm were also productive contributors on defense last season. Waddell recorded 62 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks, while Drumm finished with 27 tackles, three tackles for loss and three sacks. Dickey, an all-region selection on offense in 2025, also returns to contribute on the defensive line. Kelley Returns to the Backfield Junior running back Noah Kelley (#20) returns after an outstanding sophomore season. Kelley carried the ball 219 times for 1,458 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 6.66 yards per carry. He also recorded 15 receptions for 195 yards and contributed six two-point conversions. Kelley finished the 2025 season with more than 1,800 all-purpose yards and 120 total points, leading the Orioles in scoring. Junior Xander Wood (#16) also joins the varsity offense after contributing to a successful JV season and will look to become a contributor for the Orioles this fall. Speed on the Outside Senior Noah Rufenacht (#4) returns as one of Quincy's top returning offensive weapons. In 2025, Rufenacht set a single-season school record with 48 receptions for 548 yards and nine touchdowns. He also scored 67 points and contributes as the team's kicker. Rufenacht connected on a game-winning kick against Maple Valley during the 2025 season. Senior tight end Carson Haylett (#9) returns after averaging 15.1 yards per reception on seven catches last season, including three touchdowns. Junior Grant Longardner (#11) and sophomore Kale Dirschell (#18) each averaged more than 12 yards per catch. Senior newcomer Jax Sergent (#5), along with Andrew Dunn (#3) and Kaden Cutler (#7), will also be among the players competing for opportunities in the passing game. Three Quarterbacks Competing for the Starting Job Senior Isaiah Staggs (#8), junior Joe Gray (#1), and sophomore JJ Wright (#19) enter preseason competing for the starting quarterback position. The winner of the competition will have a strong group of returning players around him, including a returning 1,458-yard rusher, a school-record 48-catch receiver, and an experienced offensive line. Gray enters the season after a strong summer and has continued to develop as a leader while learning the offense. Staggs returns after passing for 10 touchdowns with two interceptions in 2025. He brings size, arm strength and varsity experience to the competition. Wright, who contributed as a freshman last season, provides versatility and athleticism and could contribute in multiple offensive roles. Defensive Experience Returns Quincy returns nearly 80 percent of its defensive production from 2025, including players who accounted for 393 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, eight sacks and 15 takeaways last season. Among the returning defensive contributors are: Player Year Solo Assist Total TFL Sacks Kaden Cutler (#7) Sr. 37 34 71 6 1 Tayte Waddell (#50) Jr. 27 35 62 4 2 Grant Longardner (#11) Jr. 23 26 49 0 0 Carson Haylett (#9) Sr. 24 21 45 2 2 JJ Wright (#19) So. 23 19 42 4 0 Ethan Drumm (#60) Sr. 16 11 27 3 3 Andrew Dunn (#3) Sr. 14 11 25 0 0 Caleb Wendorf (#53) Sr. 7 12 19 0 0 Rylen Dickey (#62) Sr. 11 7 18 0 0 Cutler and Haylett both return after earning all-conference honors in 2025 and bring two years of varsity experience to the defense. Sophomore Gibson James steps into a linebacker position following the graduation of senior captain Ethan Pearson, who led the Big 8 Conference in tackles in 2025. James enters the season after a strong offseason and will look to contribute to the Orioles' defense. Turnovers were an important part of Quincy's defensive performance last season. Wright intercepted four passes for 134 return yards, including a touchdown. Dunn added three interceptions for 65 return yards, while Longardner recorded one interception. Waddell, Haylett and Wright each recovered two fumbles, while Drumm added another fumble recovery. The Bottom Line Quincy returns its leading rusher, leading receiver, all five offensive line starters, nine defensive starters, both punters, its kickoff specialist and every player who returned a kick in 2025. With significant experience returning on both sides of the ball, the Orioles enter the 2026 season focused on continuing to improve throughout the preseason and taking advantage of each opportunity throughout the season.