Hearts Seek Sixth Straight Win Friday at Mattoon
Published on October 9 2014 5:11 pm
Last Updated on October 10 2014 5:56 am
Written by Greg Sapp
The Effingham Hearts hope to post their sixth straight win Friday night over the Green Wave at Mattoon.
Game time is 7pm. Pre-game coverage will begin at 6:45pm on your home for Hearts football, 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. Wayne will videotape the game, so watch for it on the website later in the weekend. Also, take along your radio as you'll be able to listen to the broadcast at the game, even on the road.
Mattoon lost its first two games, 54-30 to Troy Triad and 48-16 at Bethalto Civic Memorial. The Green Wave's first win was by forfeit, 1-0, over Highland during that district's teachers' strike. Mattoon then lost at Mt. Zion, 62-41, before winning over Charleston 41-14 and at Salem 45-19.
The Green Wave is quarterbacked by 6'5" 190-pound junior Braden Smith, who is averaging just under 260 yards passing per game. The running backs are seniors Joey Allee and Germaine Armstrong, and seniors Malik Joyner, Payton Hartbank and Jacob Harris catch the football.
Effingham has won five straight since the opening night 22-17 loss at Breese Mater Dei. The Hearts have defeated Mascoutah 35-13, Bethalto Civic Memorial 41-22, Charleston 41-7, Salem 54-21, and previously undefeated Taylorville 28-7.
Effingham's running game has been their bread and butter all season. Zach Miller has carried for 1,091 yards and 16 touchdowns, but it was Travis Durbin who led the team in rushing last week in the win over Taylorville and Billy Arndt has been busting big gainers all season. Quarterback Kevin Daugherty is always a solid threat to pass, teaming up with tight end Carter Hayes last week for a touchdown pass against the Tornadoes. Effingham's big offensive line has been a key to the success of the running game and the defense has continued to improve, holding Taylorville to one score last week.
There are plenty of implications connected to tonight's game; a Mattoon win would tie them with the Hearts atop the Apollo Conference standings, while a Hearts win would give them six victories and clinch a playoff berth.
Here's a look at who's playing football on Friday night:
Effingham at Mattoon
Charleston at Taylorville
Salem at Mt. Zion