It figured to be a good game between two schools that have developed a good rivalry the past few seasons. It certainly was an important Apollo Conference game. After the first three weeks – of an already-shortened six-game season -- the Hearts are 3-0 and the Tornadoes are 1-1.

This will set up a showdown between Effingham and Mt. Zion on Friday, April 16. The Hearts will enter the home game undefeated and there’s a good chance the Braves will, too. They are 2-0 right now and will be the heavy favorites Friday night when they play winless Lincoln.

“Our game with Mt. Zion will probably be for the Apollo Conference championship,” Hefner admitted.

Attempts were made to find an opponent for Friday night.

“We looked at a couple options, but none of them worked out,” Hefner said.

So the EHS coaching staff will use the extra time to rest a bit, re-focus on fundamentals and then prepare for the big game with Mt. Zion the following week.

“We’ve got some guys that are beat up a little,” Hefner noted. “This will give them a chance to heal. Plus, there are some guys that have going non-stop between basketball and football. They can catch their breath.

“The biggest concern is maintaining the rhythm you develop by playing games,” the veteran coach added. “By not playing this week, do you alter your routine and does that affect your rhythm?”

Hefner said the extra practice time did provide an opportunity to “re-set, go back to the fundaments and work on some of our base drills.”

He also said a little time would be spent preparing for Mt. Zion this week, with the game plan introduced to the squad next week.

But he would have preferred to play a game Friday night.

“Playing games is what makes you better,” Hefner said. “Plus, these kids have been waiting 16 months to play football and they want to play as much as they can. I understand and accept the situation, but you hate to miss that game.”