The Braves have defeated Limestone, Salem, Taylorville and Charleston, while falling to Triad, Mattoon and Mahomet-Seymour. They have outscored their opponents 171-133.

For the second week in a row, the EHS defense will face a pass-first offense. Although not as potent overall as Mahomet-Seymour, Mt. Zion just might have the most talented group of receivers in the conference.

The Braves are averaging 304 yards a game, with nearly 200 of those coming through the air. Their trio of receivers – senior Brayden Trimble and juniors JC Anderson and Jacob Harvey – create difficult matchups for every opponent.

Harvey is the least heralded of the group, but is the team’s leading receiver, hauling in 29 passes for 618 yards (21 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns. Anderson has caught 29 passes for 269 yards and Trimble, who was injured and missed a couple games, has 27 catches and 311 yards.

“Those are quick, athletic kids on the outside,” EHS coach Brett Hefner noted. “The Trimble kid is going to Illinois. If he gets a step, nobody is going to catch him. Anderson is 6’7” and already has offers from colleges all over the country. And Harvey is their leading receiver. They are very talented.”

Junior Keller Stocks is a first-year starter at quarterback. He has completed 68 percent of his passes, connecting on 99 of 145 attempts for 1,346 yards. He has 18 TD passes and 6 interceptions. Stocks is also the team’s leading rusher with 354 yards.

“He is more involved in the run game than their quarterback last year,” Hefner said. “We have to be disciplined in our rush lanes. He’s good at escaping from the pocket and taking off. That’s how he’s gained most of his yards.”

Hefner knows his team faces a challenge defensively again this week.

“They are going to spread you out and make you cover them from sideline to sideline,” the EHS coach explained. “They do a good job of getting their athletes the ball in space. And they will run just enough to show you they can.

“It’s going to be tough defensively,” Hefner added. “We have to have enough guys to cover them, but not give their quarterback enough time to just stand there and do whatever he wants. We’ve got to apply some pressure on him. We have a challenge ahead of us.”

While the Hearts have had issues defending the pass, most opponents have been able to run the ball against Mt. Zion. The Braves are allowing 170 yards a game on the ground, with Mattoon racking up 359 in their 35-20 victory three weeks ago.

“Defensively, they are almost a mirror image of us, as far as the scheme they run,” Hefner said. “They will have four down linemen, three linebackers, two corners tight on receivers and two safeties that will stay close to the line of scrimmage.

“They don’t blitz much, but overall, they’re a solid group,” Hefner added. “They will play hard and will be fundamentally sound.”

As is the case every game, the key to offensive success for the Hearts will be their ability to run the football. They come in averaging 241 rushing yards a game, although they were limited to just 23 yards in last week’s 49-0 loss to Mahomet-Seymour.

And the workhorse figures to be Weldon Dunston IV. He was held in check last week, but the senior tailback is still averaging 200 yards a game. He has carried the ball 203 times for 1,401 yards. He has also scored 24 touchdowns.

The play of junior quarterback Jaxon Bridges has been a positive sign the last couple weeks. He is completing 64 percent of his passes, connecting on 45 of 70 attempts for 551 yards. Maxx Kistler has proven to be his favorite target, The sophomore receiver has 20 receptions for 236 yards.

“To win this game, we have to control the ball. We have to run the ball,” Hefner said. “That will keep their offense off the field. We didn’t move it last week, but for us to be successful, we need to turn that around for this game.”

The EHS coach said his team has responded well from the lopsided loss to Mahomet-Seymour.

“Our practices have been good this week,” Hefner said. “Because of our injuries and our overall numbers, the inability to have physical practices has not been beneficial for us. But this week, our practices have been much more physical and the kids have responded.”

The veteran coach knows the importance of the two remaining games.

“We have to find a way to get one of these; preferably both,” Hefner said. “But our effort and focus is on Mt. Zion right now. Both teams are in the same situation. And both teams know what it will take to win.”

Kickoff in Mt. Zion is scheduled for 7 p.m.