Hearts Head to Jerseyville Friday

The Effingham Hearts will look to get to the .500 mark Friday night in high school football action.

Effingham travels to Jerseyville to take on the Jersey Panthers. Kickoff is at 7 pm. Hear the action on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

The Hearts lost their opener last week at Breese to the Mater Dei Knights, 27-13. Effingham fell behind 21-0 by the time the first quarter ended, but fought back from there to play a much better brand of football, especially defensively.

Effingham's offense was paced by junior running back Terrence Hill, who rushed for more than 150 yards. The Hearts utilized both junior Lucas Vasquez and sophomore Landon Wolfe at quarterback last week.

Jersey is led by junior quarterback Drew Sauerwein, who helped the Panthers back from a 16-point deficit last Friday to defeat Granite City, 39-35. The season-opening win was especially sweet for Jersey since they had won just one game last season. That opponent was Mascoutah, who Effingham also defeated last season.

Receiver Blake Wittman and running back Brandon Baalman are also keys for the Panthers' offense.

Jon Adkins, a Charleston native, coaches the Jersey team.

The only other time Effingham has played football against Jerseyville was a playoff game on November 3, 1993 at Jerseyville. Jersey defeated Effingham 27-21. Travis Franklin led the Hearts with 118 yards rushing. Cory Sayne scored twice for Effingham, including a 48-yard touchdown run. Thanks to local sports historian Kurt Becker for the information.

A mention that the game will not be played at Jersey High School, but instead at Illini Middle School in Jerseyville. The address for the middle school is 1101 S. Liberty.

Next week, the Hearts will play their home opener against the Highland Bulldogs.