Hearts Win Conference Opener at Mattoon

The Effingham Hearts won their Apollo Conference opener Friday night and spoiled Mattoon's Homecoming in the process, posting a 42-21 win over the Green Wave. The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com 

Effingham racked up 329 rushing yards on 45 attempts...166 yards in the first half, 163 yards in the second half. Add on 131 yards in passing and the Hearts totaled 460 yards in total offense.

Mattoon didn't do badly, totaling 379 yards in total offense, 233 yards through the air and another 146 yards on the ground.

The two squads totaled 44 first downs, 23 for the Hearts.

Weldon Dunston had a monster game for the Hearts, carrying 32 times for 266 yards with two touchdowns.

Effingham started the scoring with 9:27 remaining in the opening quarter when quarterback Gaige Gillum took it in from one yard out. Maicol Sefton's extra point try was good and the Hearts were up 7-0. Mattoon tied the game with 27 seconds left in the opening quarter on a 38-yard pass to Gavin Cline and the game stood at 7-7. 

Effingham regained the lead with 9:42 remaining in the second quarter when Gillum scored again on a 24-yard run and the extra point made it 14-7. The Hearts then scored with 5:50 left before halftime on a five-yard run by Dunston to make it 21-7, but Mattoon came right to score to make it 21-14. The Hearts scored a minute later on an 11-yard pass reception by Brody Belcher to push the lead back to 28-14, but Matton scored one more time with 0.2 second remaining on a one-yard run by quarterback Slater Trier and it was 28-21 at halftime.

The Hearts put the lid on things in the second half, scoring twice while holding Mattoon scoreless. 

Effingham scored at the end of a 67-yard drive capped by Dunston's 35-yard run to make it 35-21 wit 9:35 left in the third quarter, then put the game away with a 10-play, 84-yard drive in the fourth quarter highlighted by a one-yard run by Gillum for the final score.

Gillum had a nice night rushing, picking up 57 yards with three scores. He was also 7 of 13 passing for 131 yards and a score with one pick. 

Brody Belcher had the biggest night catching the ball with three receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown. Colton Webb caught a 50-yard pass that set up a touchdown on the next play. Andrew Lotz had a 23-yard catch, Hunter Reed had a 13-yard grab, and Dunston caught an 18-yard pass.

Also for the Hearts: Maicol Sefton had three punts for 92 yards; Zach Donaldson and Nick Martin each had an interception; Sefton had five kickoffs totaling 245 yards; and as far as kickoff returns, Dunston had one for 20 yards, Jacob Weaver two for 27 yards, and Logan Kessler one for no yards.

As far as the tackle sheet for the Hearts: Charlie Ring nine, DJ Latham one, Eli Middendorff four, Zach Donaldson three, Kayden Mietzner six, Logan Kessler two, Jacob Weaver five, Aidan Carrell one, Spencer Fox five, Wade Bushur eight, Kaden Koeberlein six, Nick Martin three, Michael Love five, Max Flack one, Maddox Burner one.

Effingham is 2-2 on the season and 1-0 in Apollo Conference play. Mattoon is now 1-3 for all games and 0-1 in conference play.

The Hearts travel to Charleston next Friday night for more conference action.