Goode is one of the newer high schools in Chicago. It opened in 2012 and started up a football program in 2014. Few people have even heard of the school. Until Friday.
Goode played an astounding Class 6A state playoff game against visiting Quincy. The Knights lost 88-84 in a game that started at 3 p.m., lasted four hours, set multiple state records, and had to be moved to a second high school when darkness set in. Goode's field does not have lights.
“Survive and advance. I am proud to say we did that tonight,” Quincy coach Rick Little told the WGEM streaming broadcast following the game. “I am proud of this team and their resolve.”
Chicago Public Schools scheduled the game for 3 p.m. on Saturday at Rockne Stadium. But since Quincy didn't have school on Friday they asked Goode if the teams could play the game on Friday afternoon. Goode agreed.
The fireworks arrived as soon as the game started and Goode led 60-59 at halftime. The halftime break was shortened to six minutes. Officials were worried about the impending darkness.
The game was suspended at 5:50 p.m. with Quincy ahead 88-84 and 3:42 left to play. Everyone headed over to Englewood high school to finish the game.
Play restarted at 6:53 p.m.
Quincy quarterback Bryson Little threw a state single-game record eight touchdown passes and rushed for two TDs.
The combined 172 points are the most-ever in a high school game in Illinois, topping the 166 set scored when Springfield beat Rock Island 94-72 on October 29, 2021.
“This is why we love high school sports,” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said. “The circumstances weren’t ideal, but everyone involved came together on behalf of students, and the result is something that no one involved with this game is ever going to forget. I encourage anyone reading this to go support a local high school event this weekend. Whether it is another football playoff game, a Sectional Championship soccer match, or a Sectional Cross Country meet. You may not see as many records fall as you did in the Quincy-Goode game, but what you will see is the epitome of education-based athletics: young people giving everything they have while representing their schools and communities.”
