Mahomet-Seymour offense proves to be unstoppable; Bulldogs roll to 49-0 victory over Effingham
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
Six touchdowns.
42 points.
376 offensive yards.
Two receivers with more than 100 yards in receptions and another with 92.
And that was only in the first half.
Mahomet-Seymour showed why they were the overwhelming favorites to win the Apollo Conference and why many believe they can make a deep run in the Class 5A playoffs.
They scored on all six of their first-half possessions, built a 42-0 halftime lead and finished with a 49-0 victory Friday night over the Effingham Hearts at Washington Savings Bank Stadium.
“There’s a reason why they’ve had the success they’ve had,” EHS coach Brett Hefner said following the contest. “They’ve got a lot of kids back and they play quality people in their non-conference schedule. I fully expect them to make to the quarterfinal round in the playoffs.”
Hearts open key 3-game stretch at home against Mahomet-Seymour
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
The Effingham Hearts are about to enter a tough three-game stretch that will determine if their 2024 season will include a trip to the playoffs.
The Hearts are 4-2 overall, but the most difficult part of their schedule lies ahead of them. That three-game gauntlet begins Friday night when Mahomet-Seymour, the overwhelming favorite to win the Apollo Conference, visits Washington Savings Bank Stadium.
The Bulldogs are also 4-2 overall, but their two losses are to a pair of Class 5A powerhouse programs – a 42-41 overtime setback to Highland; and a 21-13 defeat to Sycamore.
Their last three games – all against conference foes – have been won in dominant fashion. They include a 56-3 romp over Charleston; a 28-6 decision over Taylorville during the heavy rains and winds; and a lopsided 38-14 win last week over Mt. Zion.
“They haven’t lost a conference game since the 2021 spring season of COVID,” EHS coach Brett Hefner pointed out. “They are a very talented team. We will have our work cut out for us.”
The Hearts, on the other hand, are coming off a devastating 42-41 overtime loss at Taylorville. After playing from behind most of the game, Effingham tied the contest late in the fourth quarter, took a seven-point lead in overtime and had the Tornadoes sitting 4th and 20.
One defensive stop and EHS would have had a good road win. But Taylorville was able to throw a desperation TD pass and then completed a two-point conversion pass to come away with the OT victory.
“We had three turnovers, a touchdown called back and plenty of opportunities to make plays that would have made the difference,” Hefner noted. “I don’t think I’ve ever coached in a game where we never punted and still lost. It was very frustrating. I don’t feel like we got beat. I feel like we lost it.”
Hearts fall one play short; suffer 42-41 overtime loss to Taylorville
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
One play away.
The Effingham Hearts were one play from a come-from-behind road victory at Taylorville.
One play from a playoff-clinching fifth overall win.
One play from a 3-0 start in the Apollo Conference with a contest against conference favorite Mahomet-Seymour looming next week.
And things looked good.
The Hearts held a seven-point lead in the overtime period. The Tornadoes, with their starting quarterback on the sideline dealing with a late injury, faced a 4th down at the 20-yard line. It was do or die time.
Effingham needed just one defensive stop.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
Forget the records! Hearts face tough test Friday at Taylorville
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
Don’t be fooled by the record.
Friday night’s game at Taylorville figures to be anything but easy.
Yes, the Tornadoes are just 1-4 so far.
But three of those losses were one-possession games. Plus, a couple dropped passes and untimely mistakes and/or penalties, have prevented Taylorville from possibly reversing that record.
“They will be the best team we’ve played so far,” EHS football coach Brett Hefner said. “This is a group that has been playing together since they were sophomores. They could easily be 4-1 right now.”
Despite the record, the Tornadoes have only been outscored 120-117. Their lone win is a 34-0 decision over Robinson. Their setbacks include two non-conference games -- 43-38 to Olney and 35-27 to Columbia.
Taylorville has also dropped its first two Apollo Conference contests to the league’s pre-season favorites. A dropped two-point conversion pass was key in a 14-12 loss to Mt. Zion. And the Tornadoes played Mahomet-Seymour tough in the wind and rain last week before absorbing a 28-6 defeat.
The Hearts, on the other hand, will enter with a 4-1 overall mark and are 2-0 in conference play, coming off a 30-20 victory on Homecoming Night last Friday.
Effingham is just one victory away from qualifying for the playoffs. With Mt. Zion, Mahomet-Seymour and a high-powered Centralia team remaining on the schedule, Friday night’s game in Taylorville becomes an important one.
Neither rain nor wind can stop Dunston or Hearts; back runs for 259 yards, scores 4 touchdowns; EHS prevails 30-20 over Trojans
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
Weldon Dunston IV just might have a future as a mailman.
Consider their motto -- “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”
There wasn’t any snow or heat at Washington Savings Bank Stadium Friday night. But rain pelted down off and on. And the winds – which could easily be considered the “gloom of night” – were constant throughout. Gusts of up to 40 mph affected every phase of the game, especially the play calling on offense.
Effingham and Charleston were relegated to running the ball on virtually every play. Winds made passing the football impossible. So, both defenses knew what was coming.
But neither the rain nor the wind kept Effingham’s senior running back from delivering for his team. For the third time this season, Dunston cracked the 200-yard plateau and scored four touchdowns, including a game-deciding 80-yard breakaway late in the fourth quarter.
As the final soggy and breezy seconds ticked off the clock, the Hearts had stayed unbeaten in the conference and moved to within one victory of postseason play with a 30-20 victory on Homecoming Night at Jack Klosterman Field.
“I’m proud of these kids,” a rain-soaked EHS coach Brett Hefner said following the contest. “It’s been a wild week. We’ve been banged up a bit, so we’ve got kids that have been moving around from position to position. Some were playing new positions. But they kept playing and they kept battling.
“The kids did a good job dealing with the elements,” Hefner added. “I kept hoping the weather would take a right or left turn, but it didn’t. So, both teams just had to deal with it. This was a good win for us.”
A win that felt fairly certain four minutes into the second half became more “iffy” in the final period. Effingham’s seemingly comfortable 17-point lead had dwindled to just four with 3:58 to play. With three timeouts remaining and the Hearts going into the wind on their ensuing possession, Charleston was one defensive stand away from getting the ball back – probably in great field position – and a chance to complete the comeback.
Hearts will play host to Charleston on Homecoming Night
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
Another big game.
Another tough opponent.
Another rainy night in the forecast.
It’s only Week No. 5, but Effingham is now in the midst of its conference season and already talking about the “P” word – playoffs – making every game an important one.
Friday night’s Homecoming game against Charleston is no exception.
It takes five wins to qualify for playoff consideration and both the Hearts and Trojans enter this Apollo Conference clash with three W’s already secured. EHS does have the early upper hand in league play, posting a 52-29 win over Mattoon last week, while Charleston got thumped by Mahomet-Seymour, 56-3.
“Every game is important,” EHS football coach Brett Hefner admitted. “We got off to a good start in the conference, but we haven’t played either of the two favorites (Mahomet-Seymour and Mt. Zion) yet. And at this stage of the season, both teams are already looking at the playoffs. So, these are big games for us.”
Under second-year coach Brian Halsey, the Charleston football program is experiencing a remarkable turnaround. Halsey guided the Trojans to an 8-3 record and a playoff berth a year ago and has them over halfway to a second straight trip to the postseason, boasting a 3-1 mark.
Changes made, Hearts respond with 52-29 win over Mattoon
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
Changes were made.
There was a different fullback, tight end and safety.
And there was a totally new defensive scheme.
But there was also the one, reliable constant – a running back that is proving difficult to contain.
It was far from a perfect performance. There is still work to do and improvements to be made.
But it was a happy Effingham football team that left Jack Kosterman Field Friday night. They scored early and often – and even withstood a lightning delay of almost an hour.
The final result? Effingham 52; Mattoon 29. Military Appreciation Night was a big success.
After giving up 12 explosive plays in the first three games and suffering a disappointing 35-20 loss last week at Breese Mater Dei, EHS coach Brett Hefner knew changes were in order.
And the big one was switching from a 4-3 to 3-4 scheme on defense. This was done to help add better coverage in the passing game.
And it was successful. After allowing more than 600 yards and eight touchdowns – all through the air -- in three games, the new scheme limited Mattoon to only 61.
Hearts open Apollo Conference play Friday at home against Mattoon
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
Insanity is described as doing the same thing over and over again, and then expecting different results.
That’s kind of the position Effingham football coach Brett Hefner finds himself in this week.
Through three games, he hasn’t made many changes. The result is an offense that’s pretty much one-dimensional and a defense that has given up way too many explosive plays.
So, when the Effingham Hearts return to Washington Savings Bank Stadium for their Apollo Conference opener against Mattoon on Friday night, expect some new stuff.
The Hearts are 2-1 on the season, but coming off a disappointing 35-20 loss at Breese Mater Dei.
The Green Wave are winless so far, having dropped games to Decatur MacArthur (47-6), Olney (24-22) and Monticello (40-14).
Defensively, something has to change – especially a reduction in the number of explosive plays. Gains of 30 or more yards are hurting the EHS defense. Through three games, Robinson, Mt. Carmel and Breese Mater Dei have busted loose for 12 of those plays – eight through the air and four more on the ground -- scoring on 10 of them.
On just 10 percent of the snaps against the Hearts defense, those 12 plays have accounted for 801 yards – or 73 percent of the total yards the defensive unit has allowed. That’s an average of 67 yards on just those 12 snaps.
Explosive plays hurt Hearts; Breese Mater Dei prevails 35-20
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
Explosives.
That’s what Effingham football coach Brett Hefner calls plays that gain 30, 40 or more yards.
Every offense wants to make them.
And every defense wants to prevent them.
Friday night’s contest at Breese Mater Dei can be summed up quite easily.
In explosives – Breese Mater Dei 6; Effingham 1.
On the scoreboard, that translated into a 35-20 victory for the host Knights.
Statistics don’t always tell the story. But in this case, they absolutely do.
Hearts look for 3-0 start; travel to Breese Mater Dei Friday night
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
It’s been a great start to the 2024 football season.
The Effingham Hearts have roared out of the gates with a pair of victories – 54-30 over Robinson in the season-opener, followed by a 26-22 decision last week in the “Snake Pit” at Mt. Carmel.
The Hearts will try to make it three in row when they travel to Breese Mater Dei for another non-conference battle at Breese Mater Dei.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday.
For the EHS defense, it will be a different style offense to prepare for again this week.
Last week, it was the run-dominant Wing-T triple option at Mt. Carmel. The Golden Aces ran the ball on 32 of their 35 offensive snaps, amassing 221 total yards – all on the ground. They attempted just three passes – all in the first half – and didn’t complete a single one. They have thrown just six passes in their first two contests.
Mt. Carmel’s unique attack was more effective in the second half, trimming Effingham’s 20-6 halftime lead to just four points with 5:19 left to play. But the Hearts then put together an impressive nine-play possession, including two crucial third down conversions, that ran the clock out and preserved the win.
“I was very proud of how our kids finished the game,” EHS coach Brett Hefner said. “We hadn’t done much offensively in the second half. If we had gone three and out and they got the ball back, we might have been in trouble. But our guys made some plays and were able to grind out the win.
“That was one of those games I was happy when it was over,” Hefner added. “We won’t see that style of offense the rest of the season. I thought we did about as well as we could in the first half. I was pleased with how we handled their offense. I was not as pleased in the second half. I was happy to survive that game and get out of there with a win.”
This week, Effingham will face an offense that is averaging nearly 25 pass attempts a game.
Key 3rd down plays on final drive help Hearts win 26-22 at Snake Pit
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
It was the most important drive of the game.
And it didn’t produce a single point.
With 5:19 left, the Mt. Carmel Golden Aces had just scored a touchdown to trim the lead to six points. They had the momentum and were one defensive stop away from getting the ball back and a chance for a come-from-behind victory in their home opener.
But after a failed on-side kick, the Effingham Hearts had the football.
And, as it turned out, never gave it back.
Two crucial third down plays kept the drive alive and the clock ticking. And after Weldon Dunston IV turned in an 11-yard gallop for a first down with less than a minute to play, they heard their coach yell, “Victory Formation.”
When those final seconds ticked off the clock, the Hearts had their second straight win, a 26-22 decision over the Golden Aces.
“That final drive was important,” EHS Coach Brett Hefner admitted. “I thought our depth eventually helped and played a factor. You’re always happy to get a win, especially here. Not many teams come into the Snake Pit and leave with a win.”
The "Snake Pit," tradition and old school football awaits the Effingham Hearts as they travel to play Mt. Carmel on Friday night
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
Friday night’s game at Mt. Carmel should prove interesting.
First of all, the Effingham Hearts will be trying to notch their second win of the season, adding on to a 54-30 opening-night victory at home over Robinson a few days ago.
And they will be attempting to do that at one of the most historic venues in the state and against an opponent that plays – as EHS Coach Brett Hefner describes – “old school football.”
The site for Friday’s 7 p.m. kickoff in Mt. Carmel is Riverview Stadium, affectionately nicknamed the “Snake Pit.” It was actually built into a hill. And the field is located at the base of that hill, which overlooks the Wabash River.
The Golden Aces have enjoyed a strong football tradition through the years. And part of that tradition calls for the team to walk down the concrete steps onto the field.
Since this will be the home-opener for Mt. Carmel – and since the team is coming off a 42-6 setback to Gibson Southern last Friday – it’s a safe bet the Golden Aces will be motivated Friday night.
It was a similar situation a year ago. Mt. Carmel was coming off a 21-14 loss to Gibson Southern, a perennial Class 3A powerhouse in Indiana and state champions in 2022. But behind quarterback sensation Blayne Sisson, the Golden Aces beat the Hearts, 36-30, when Sisson threw his second touchdown pass in the second overtime.
But Sisson, who accounted for 4,007 yards – 2,230 on the ground and another 1,777 in the air – and led the Golden Aces to the runner-up spot in Class 3A, is now a member of the University of Illinois football team. He, along with 20 other seniors, are gone from that team. This year’s roster features only five seniors.
“They appear to be very young and inexperienced,” Hefner noted. “But they a play of style of football on offense you don’t see very often. And it’s very difficult to replicate the timing and speed of it in practice.”
Dunston runs for 242; Hearts open with 54-30 win over Robinson
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
The Effingham Hearts opened their 2024 football season with a home win Friday night.
There were definitely some highlights.
Weldon Dunston IV ran for more than 200 yards and scored five touchdowns and Wade Bushur intercepted three passes – very nearly four – and returned one of those for a Pick-6.
When the game that started 30 minutes late due to heat concerns – and then took more than 3½ hours to play – was over, the Hearts were on the good side of a 54-30 final score over Robinson.
But it wasn’t pretty – even for a season-opener.
Especially on the defensive side.
Yes, Effingham forced four turnovers – Will Hecht added the team’s fourth interception late in the game – but also gave up 405 total yards, including five big plays that accounted for 315 of those yards.
The Maroons scored on pass plays of 70, 32, 72 and 58 yards, and added an 83-yard run for another score that kept the guests within striking distance for most of the game.
Finding the right pieces key to Effingham Hearts football season
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
When putting together a jigsaw puzzle, you have to find the right pieces in order to move forward and complete the total picture.
Putting together a starting lineup in football is a similar process.
And a process head coaches experience virtually every year and at every level.
In the pros, they deal with trades and free agency. In college, especially now, it’s more about NIL and the portal.
At the high school level, it’s all about graduating seniors, and to a lesser degree, kids that simply decide not to go out for the team.
But regardless of the reason why, there are generally holes to fill every new season.
Just ask Effingham High School football coach Brett Hefner.
He has some excellent pieces returning. But there are also question marks surrounding this year’s team. Finding the right players to fill some important roles could go a long way in determining the overall success of the 2024 Hearts squad.
“We’ve got some good people back in some key spots,” Coach Hefner noted. “So, we won’t be breaking in an entirely new group, which always helps. But we’ve got inexperience at quarterback and receiver, plus we’re not as deep as we’ve been in past years.
“We’re going to have some moving parts, that’s for sure,” the veteran coach added. “We’ve got some holes to fill and it’s up to our staff to put people in the best position for us to be successful.”