That defensive unit allowed only 172 totals yards – and 121 of those came on just two plays – a fake punt on the first series of the game and a short screen pass that resulted in a 79-yard touchdown early in the third period.

On the offensive side, the Hearts amassed 348 yards – 242 on the ground and 106 through the air. Running back Weldon Dunston was the workhorse, carrying the ball 28 times for 173 yards. Quarterback Gaige Gillum, starting his first varsity contest, ran for 69 yards and completed 6-of-13 passes for 106 yards.

“We averaged about seven yards per carry, which is a good thing,” Hefner said about his running attack. “But our offensive line wasn’t finishing blocks like they should. The initial contact was good, but we have to do a better job maintaining contact and then finishing those blocks.”

Senior Brady Stortzum, who missed the opener due to an ankle injury, will return this week at center.

“Plus, the timing on some of our pass plays was off,” the veteran coach added. “We needed to throw the ball quicker. But these are all things we can work on in practice and improve.”

The Hearts will face a Golden Aces team that is 0-1 on the year, having dropped a 21-14 decision to Gibson Southern, a school in Indiana that won the Class 3A title last year and is ranked in the Top 10 this year. Mt. Carmel broke out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but Gibson Southern scored two touchdowns in the fourth period to get the win.

Mt. Carmel returns nine starters on offense and seven starters on defense from a team that finished 9-2 a year ago and reached the second round of the Class 3A playoffs. That team averaged nearly 45 points a game.

With quarterback Blayne Sisson, running back Asher Kight and receiver Andrew Gillihan among the returners, the Golden Aces will put a formidable offensive unit on the field. Sisson has already committed to playing at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

In the loss to Gibson Southern, Sisson carried the ball 10 times for 90 yards and a touchdown, plus completed 11-of-23 passes for 171 yards. Kight ran for 43 yards and a TD, and Gillihan caught five passes for 53 yards. Mt. Carmel features a balanced attack.

“They like to run a Wing-T out of a shotgun formation, which is very unconventional,” Hefner noted. “They will also run a more traditional spread offense. They’re very talented.”

One of the keys for the Hearts defensively will be maintaining eye discipline.

“There are a lot of moving parts to their offense,” Hefner said. “We need to control their quarterback and stay disciplined. If we don’t, we’ll be in trouble.”

The Golden Aces use a 3-4 alignment on defense.

“This will be the first time we’ve faced an odd front,” Hefner said. “They’re very active up front. They like to stunt and move and lot. Their secondary coverage is like us. They like to play two safeties. They do a good job of mixing their coverages.

“Our offensive line will need to handle their movement up front,” Hefner added. “We’ll need to find ways to create some explosive plays and we can’t turn the ball over.”

Hefner knows the Hearts are facing a tough challenge this week.

“This is a huge step up in competition,” he admitted. “They have a ton of tradition. Plus, any time you play one of the top 1A, 2A, 3A or 4A teams, there’s not much difference. They’re going to be very good.”

Friday night will be Senior Recognition Night. The ceremony for the players and cheerleaders will begin at 6:35 p.m.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.