Benton gave up just one touchdown to Salem in last week’s opening round, but got a score and two-point conversion with less than 30 seconds to play to come away with an 8-7 victory.

The Hearts, meanwhile, steamrolled Breese Central, 55-13. They piled up 531 yards on offense while keeping the Cougars offense in check.

They also continued a trend of striking early and taking control of games. It was the sixth time in 10 games that Effingham scored at least three touchdowns in the opening quarter and they’ve found the end zone four times in the last two contests against Freeburg and Breese Central.

The Hearts are averaging nearly 27 points a game – by halftime. They have scored 40+ in three games and more than 30 in two others. That quick strike ability has led to commanding leads at intermission in most games and a continually running clock for portions or most of the second half in several.

Saturday’s game with Benton seems to present an interesting contrast. The Hearts will bring an offense that averages 40 points a game, while the Rangers will counter with a defense allowing only 8.

Benton’s offense has also been productive much of the season, averaging nearly 34 points a contest. The Rangers have scored 40 or more six times and cracked the 50-point plateau twice. Defensively, Effingham is allowing 16 a game.

So what does all that mean?

In high school football, who knows?

There are so many variables involved.

The only stat that really means much to me is the 9-1. Any team that posts that kind of record is talented and doing something right. When I look at the individual game scores for Benton, I see a team that, like Effingham, has dominated most of the season. Take away the single loss to Murphysboro and Benton has won its nine games by an average of 30 points. That’s domination.

When the 4A pairings were first announced, Effingham fans were ecstatic. Many had the Hearts winning the first two rounds easily.

I was confident we would beat Breese Central. But Benton is a team that has experienced high-level success this season. Nine victories make them a confident football team, and after winning in the final seconds last week, it makes Benton a potentially dangerous football team that will arrive in Effingham sky high.

People want to try to compare scores or strength of schedule. I imagine some of that is okay, but at this point, I just don’t think that matters.

What matters is who plays the best this week. Penalties, turnovers and big plays will determine who advances. At this time of year, the weather and playing conditions can also be a factor. Who we may or may not play next week is irrelevant.

This is a great time of year. There’s something different about the playoffs. There’s a different intensity along the sideline and electricity in the stands. It’s just a lot of fun.

For the third season is a row, Hearts football is creating playoff memories. And, hopefully, there are more memories to be made in following weeks.

But for this week, all thoughts and preparations are about Benton.

Go Hearts!