Hearts Are Playoff-Eligible w/Win Over Mater Dei; Other Week 8 Area Football Scores

The Effingham Hearts football team is now playoff-eligible.

Effingham posted a 17-0 Senior Night victory over the Breese Mater Dei Knights before a Senior Night crowd. The game at Klosterman Field at Washington Savings Bank Stadium was heard on Classic Hits 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

The Hearts scored early, then let their defense take control of the game. It is Effingham's third shutout of the season, and second in a row.

Photo by Gary Stanfield of Riviera Records. Additional game photos are available here

Effingham posted its first score with 59 seconds left in the first quarter at the end of an eight-play, 48-yard drive that took 3:05 off the clock. Weldon Dunston took it in from the one for the score. Armando Estrada's extra point made it 7-0. 

The Hearts scored their other touchdown with 1:44 left before halftime at the close of a 12-play, 63-yard drive that took 4:44 to complete. Quarterback Tanner Pontious took it 14 yards to the corner of the end zone for the score and Estrada's made it 14-0 shortly before halftime.

Effingham played things close to the vest in the second half, but did get a 22-yard field goal from Estrada...his fifth of the season...to close out the scoring with 6:40 remaining. The field goal closed out a 13-play, 39-yard drive that took 7:41 off the clock.

Photo by Gary Stanfield of Riviera Records. Additional game photos are available here

The score does not fully illustrate the dominance of the Hearts in the game. Effingham had 17 first downs to four for Mater Dei. Effingham ran 72 plays to 40 for the Knights. The Hearts gained 171 yards rushing to 33 yards for Mater Dei. The only close stat was in passing yardage where Pontious had a narrow 88 to 79 yard edge. The Hearts had 259 yards in total yardage to 112 yards for Mater Dei. Time of possession was in Effingham's favor 35:11 to 12:49.

Sophomore Weldon Dunston had another productive night for the Hearts, carrying the ball 35 times for 98 yards and the touchdown. Pontious carried the ball 18 times for 63 yards and a score. Evan Waymoth rushed four times for two yards, and Caden Walls rushed once for eight yards.

Pontious was nine for 13 passing for the Hearts for 86 yards. Jack Harper threw once for two yards. Andrew Lotz had three catches for 21 yards, Kaden Koeberlein caught two passes for 20 yards. Caden Walls caught three balls for 42 yards. Jacob Weaver had a three-yard catch, and Pontious caught the pass from Harper for two yards.

Photo by Gary Stanfield of Riviera Records. Additional game photos are available here

Here's the tackle sheet: Michael Love 4, Charlie Ring 5, Spencer Fox 3, Carter Bushue 1, Evan Waymoth 1, London Rinkel 1, Josh Kelley 1, Connor Simmons 3, Jack Harper 1, Logan Heil 2, Armando Estrada 1.

Pontious punted four times for 143 yards, Zach Donaldson returned three punts for 16 total yards, Evan Waymoth had an interception for 22 yards, Estrada had four kickoffs for 233 yards, and Rinkel recovered a fumble. 

Effingham is now 5-3 on the season, and the Hearts have won five of their last six. The only loss in that streak was the overtime defeat to Mt. Zion. 

Hearts Coach Brett Hefner said after the game that his team's strength of schedule and playoff points racked up by their opponents in their victories against other opponents should earn the Hearts a playoff spot. That won't be known for certain until after next week's game at Highland to close out the regular season.

Mater Dei is now 4-4 on the season.

The Hearts recognized their 23 senior football players ahead of last night's game. They are Garrett Wolfe, Jack Harper, Mahammad Freeman, Connor Simmons, Caden Walls, Tanner Pontious, Armando Estrada, Carter Bushue, Myles Maxedon, London RInkel, John Westendorf, Christopher Hemwall, Evan Waymoth, Jacob Foster, Blake Bushue, Riley Crain, Trinity Womack, Joshua Kelley, Logan Heil, Kobe Coburn, Kayne Haarman, Colton Loy and Conner Thompson. Also recognized was senior cheerleader Michelle Papa. Senior marching band members were recognized at halftime.

HERE ARE THE WEEK 8 SCORES:

Effingham 17, Breese Mater Dei 0 

Olney Richland County 28, Newton 21

Charleston 30, Mt. Zion 27 (Charleston with a touchdown with 14 seconds left in the game to win) 

Lincoln 52, Taylorville 19 

Mahomet-Seymour 47, Mattoon 14 

Decatur St. Teresa 41, Shelbyville 14 

Highland 56, Mascoutah 0 

Sesser-Valier 28, Flora 12 

Vandalia 57, Litchfield 18