VIDEO: Hearts Make it a Happy Homecoming w/Win Over Salem; Other Friday Scores

Two minutes into the second quarter of Friday night's Effingham High School Homecoming football game with Salem, the Wildcats led the Hearts 13-2. From that point, though, Effingham outscored Salem 40-6 to post a 42-19 win over the Wildcats in action at Klosterman Field. The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com.

The scoring started 16 seconds into the game when Salem tried to field the opening kickoff at their three yard line, but were unsuccessful. Consecutive penalties forced the Wildcats back inside their one yard line. When Salem tried to finally run their first play from scrimmage, the Hearts took them down in the end zone for a safety to make it 2-0.

A costly mistake later in the quarter, though, gave Salem the ball at the Hearts three yard line and Dakota McDaneld took it into the end zone on the first play to put the Wildcats ahead 7-2.

Salem then scored on a four-play, 61-yard drive highlighted by a 36-yard McDaneld touchdown run to make it 13-2 with 9:43 left in the second quarter.

Effingham got things going from there, though. The Hearts staged a four-play, 80-yard drive highlighted by a 66-yard touchdown pass play from Hudson Graham to Trevor Kreke to get Effingham back within 13-9. The Hearts followed with a 17-play, 89-yard drive culminating with Drew Vasquez's one-yard run for the score to make it 16-13 Effingham wth 17 seconds left before halftime.

Photo courtesy of Gary Stanfield and Riviera Records. View more of Gary's work here.

The Hearts picked up where they left off on the first drive of the second half, staging a 12-play, 80-yard drive capped by Terrence Hill's 18-yard touchdown run to make it 23-13 with 6:39 left in the quarter. Salem on its next possession went for it on fourth down at their own 35-yard line, but couldn't get the first down. Effingham took full advantage of the good field position, engineering a four-play drive capped by a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Wyatt Keith to make it 29-13 with 3:26 remaining in the period.

Salem scored its final touchdown with 10:26 left in the game on an 11-play, 69-yard drive capped by McDaneld's third touchdown run of the game, this one from four yards out to make it 29-19.

Effingham bounced back with an eight-play, 66-yard drive capped by quarterback Hudson Graham's one-yard touchdown to make it 35-19 with 5:00 left. Effingham got the ball back one last time and scored at the end of a five-play, 57-yard drive on a 36-yard touchdown run by Vasquez to account for the 42-19 final score.

Photo courtesy of Gary Stanfield and Riviera Records. View more of Gary's work here.

Effingham collected 24 first downs to 15 for Salem and gained 406 net yards to 240 for Salem. The Hearts collected 202 yards on the ground and 204 yards through the air. Salem gained 158 yards on the ground, 82 through the air.

Terrence Hill led Effingham in rushing with 109 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown. Drew Vasquez toted the ball 18 times for 74 yards and two scores. Hudson Graham rushed eight times for 19 yards and a touchdown.

Graham attempted 20 passes, completing 13 for 204 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Cory Osborn caught five passes for 77 yards, Trevor Kreke had four receptions for 92 yards and a score, Drew Vasquez had two catches for 20 yards, and Wyatt Keith had the two-yard touchdown reception.

Photo courtesy of Gary Stanfield and Riviera Records. View more of Gary's work here.

Drew Vasquez and Grant Wolfe each had interceptions for Effingham, Sean Zerrusen had seven kickoffs for 322 yards, and Logan Smith punted twice for 66 yards.

Dakota McDaneld was the story on offense for Salem, carrying the ball 24 times for 168 yards and three touchdowns.

Effingham improved to 3-2 on the season, and 2-0 in Apollo Conference play. Salem is now 1-4 on the campaign, 0-2 in the Apollo.

The Hearts head to Taylorville next Friday night to take on the Tornadoes, also 2-0 in the conference. Kickoff will be at 7pm, with pregame at 6:45 on 979 XFM.

Collin Hecht and Shayna Phillips were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at halftime of Friday's game.

Scores from Friday night:

Effingam 42, Salem 19 - FINAL

The other Apollo Conference matchups this week:

Mattoon 48, Charleston 14 - FINAL

Taylorville 31, Mt. Zion 6 - FINAL

Also in the area:

Macon Meridian at Sullivan Okaw Valley

Shelbyville 54, Warrensburg-Latham 36 - FINAL

Chillicothe Illinois Valley Central at Mahomet-Seymour

Red Hill 41, Edwards County 14 - FINAL

Lawrenceville 54, Casey-Westfield 0 - FINAL

Marshall 57, Paris 0 - FINAL

Olney East Richland 38, Flora 14 - FINAL

Newton 49, Robinson 24 - FINAL

Palestine 43, Martinsville 8 - At The Half

Cumberland 47, Oakland Tri-County 13 - FINAL

Mascoutah at Bethalto Civic Memorial

Roxana 49, Greenville 36 - FINAL

Pana 28, Piasa Southwestern 0 - FINAL

Litchfield 12, Vandalia 7 - FINAL

Belleville Althoff 59, Centralia 26 - FINAL

Breese Mater Dei 34, Breese Central 14 - FINAL