Hearts Host Charleston in Conference Opener

The Effingham Hearts hope to keep a good thing going as they open Apollo Conference play Friday night.

Effingham (2-1) will play host to the Charleston Trojans (1-2) at Klosterman Field. Kickoff is at 7pm. Pre-game coverage will begin at 6:45pm on 979XFM. You can also listen online here. Wayne will videotape the game and it will be available on the website later in the weekend.

Charleston opened their season with a 33-26 win over Rantoul, but has been outscored 70-0 in their last two games by Mt. Vernon and Centralia, with the Orphans putting 42 of those points on the Trojans last week.

Injuries have been a problem for Charleston, as running backs Kaleb Guymon and Myles Decker are injured, while two of their top defenders, Dallas Wilson and Connor McCollum, are also unavailable.

Meanwhile, the Hearts after a tough 22-17 opening game loss at Breese Mater Dei have won at Mascoutah 35-13 and won their home opener over Bethalto Civic Memorial last week 41-22.

Zach Miller has rushed for more than 440 yards for the Hearts and has scored six touchdowns. Billy Arndt and Travis Durbin have been potent ground gainers, as well, and quarterback Kevin Daugherty has been more active running with the ball the past couple of weeks. Daugherty hasn't had to throw the ball often, but has been effective when opportunities have presented themselves. The backfield has been quick to credit the Hearts' big offensive line with giving them the chance to run the ball.

Here's a look at the other games around the area this weekend: