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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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