VIDEO: Hearts Win Apollo Opener, Back to .500
Published on September 18 2015 11:24 pm
Last Updated on September 19 2015 9:15 am
Written by Greg Sapp
The Effingham Hearts climbed back to .500 on the football season, winning their Apollo Conference opener at Charleston Friday, 9-0. The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com.
Neither team scored until 2.7 seconds left before halftime, when senior Sean Zerrusen kicked a 24-yard field goal to give the Hearts a 3-0 halftime lead.
The Hearts' other score came at the end of a nice 12-play, 80-yard drive that took over five minutes to conclude. Running back Drew Vasquez took the ball in from the one yard line to make it 9-0 with 2:46 left in the third quarter. Charleston blocked the extra point, and that score accounted for the final margin.
The game marked the coming-out party for Hearts' running back Terrence Hill. The speedy sophomore has been battling a bum leg, but he looked efficient Friday night. Hill rushed 18 times for 126 yards. He had two touchdowns called back due to penalties.
Drew Vasquez had another effective game rushing the ball, gaining 78 yards on 20 carries. Hearts Coach Brett Hefner explained that Hill's emergence will allow Vasquez to catch some rest offensively. That would allow Vasquez to more heavily focus on his defense, which has been stellar so far this season.
Graham attempted 11 passes, completing five of them for 53 yards with one pick. Wyatt Keith caught two passes for 22 yards, Kody Line had an eight-yard catch, Trevor Kreke a four-yard reception, and Drew Vasquez a 19-yard grab.
Bryce Frederick led Charleston with 47 yards rushing on 14 carries. Quarterback Justin Wilson attempted 25 passes, completing 12 for 105 yards with one interception. That included four passes to Dawson Armstrong for 43 yards.
Effingham gained 259 net yards, including 206 on the ground and 53 through the air. Effingham picked up 14 first downs, seven through the air, seven on the ground.
Charleston ran 57 plays, 32 on the ground and 25 through the air, and picked up just six first downs in the ballgame.
The tackle sheet was not available after the game, but the Hearts' defense kept pressure on Wilson throughout the game, and recorded about a half-dozen sacks.
Effingham improved to 2-2 on the campagn, while Charleston is winless in four tries. The Hearts play host to Salem next Friday night. It'll be Homecoming at EHS.
