On the eve of Halloween, an IHSA football playoff matchup in south Chicago provided plenty of tricks, treats and surprises for fans.

An IHSA 6A first-round playoff game between No. 8 Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy and No. 9 Quincy Senior turned into a high-scoring affair as both offenses exploded for points early and often, with the Blue Devils pulling off an 88-84 win over the Knights to advance to the second round.

However, despite the electricity both of the offenses provided on the field, the game was moved from Goode High School's field to Chicago Englewood's field because Goode's field does not having lights.

The game resumed following a nearly 30-minute stoppage to change venues to Englewood, which is about 15-20 minutes away.

According to the IHSA, the game was initially scheduled for Saturday by Chicago Public Schools, but with Quincy students out of school Friday, both teams agreed to a 3 p.m. start one day earlier.

"IHSA staff connected with the game referee at halftime to verify that every effort should be made to finish the game on Friday, in hopes of saving Quincy hotel costs or a return visit. CPS Athletic Administration officials got to work behind the scenes to find available fields if necessary," an email from the IHSA read.

"The teams agreed to shorten halftime to save daylight, but it wouldn’t matter ultimately. Even as the scoring pace slowed from the first half, the teams combined for four third quarter touchdowns, as Quincy rallied to take a 74-72 lead entering the fourth frame. 

"Around 5:50 PM, with Quincy leading 88-84 and 3:42 remaining in regulation following a Goode TD, the game was suspended by game officials and moved to Englewood STEM High School, located about five miles east of Goode."

According to IHSA records, the 88 points are the second-most points in a single IHSA high school football playoff game since Peoria High School beat Decatur Eisenhower 96-40 on Nov. 4 in an IHSA playoff second-round game.

However, the combined 172 points is the most ever for a single game, besting the previous record of 166 set on Oct. 29, 2021, when Springfield High School defeated Rock Island High School 94-72.

Chicago Goode led 60-59 at halftime. The Knights led for the entire first half. Quincy took its first lead of the game on the opening drive of the second half and never relinquished it.

Aedan Cleveland broke free for a 45-yard touchdown run for Goode to cut the score to 88-84 before the game was interrupted due to a lack of lights at Goode.

Quincy quarterback Bryson Little has 656 passing yards and 10 touchdowns (eight passing and two rushing). The passing yards break the state playoff record previously held by Tyler Hutchinson (645), set on Nov. 12, 2013, for Greenville against Mt. Carmel. 

The eight passing touchdowns top the previous record set by Riverside’s Tim Brasic, who had seven touchdown passes against Catholic on Nov. 9, 2001, in an IHSA quarterfinal game.

Cleveland had 322 rushing yards and five touchdowns for Goode.

“This is why we love high school sports,” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said in a statement. “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.”

Quincy will play the winner of No. 1 Kennedy and No. 16 United in the second round of the IHSA playoffs.