Hearts Host Taylorville In Homecoming Clash

Two old football rivals will clash Friday night in the Effingham Hearts Homecoming game.

The Hearts will host the Taylorville Tornadoes at Klosterman Field. Kickoff is at 7pm. Hear the action on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

Effingham is looking to remain unbeaten in Apollo Conference play, having won over Charleston and Salem the past two weeks. In non-conference action, the Hearts lost at Breese Mater Dei, won at Jerseyville, and lost at home to Highland. They stand 3-2 on the season, 2-0 in the Apollo.

Taylorville is coming off a 25-0 loss to Mt. Zion and are 1-1 in the Apollo, 4-1 for all games. The Tornadoes won at Mt. Vernon 35-0 and at Wood River-East Alton 45-6, then won over Rantoul 41-6 in their home opener before downing Salem 36-14 in their first conference game.

Taylorville is dealing with an injured quarterback. Brandon Odam's left knee was injured in last week's game with Mt. Zion. He is listed as day-to-day by his coach, and his uncle, Jeb Odam. Parker Stokes, usually a running back, finished the game at quarterback last week.

The Hearts are in good shape heading into the contest. Terrence Hill is within shooting distance of going over 1,000 yards rushing for the season in the contest. The Hearts will continue alternating junior Lucas Vasquez and sophomore Landon Wolfe at quarterback. The passing game is starting to develop with Harrison Smith, Logan Smith and Gabe Herron along with Hill looming as targets.

The Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned at halftime of the contest.

Effingham is at Mattoon next week in the final road game of the regular season.

Here's a look at Friday night area football matchups:

Taylorville 28 at Effingham  19, FINAL

Mt. Zion  40 at Charleston  0, FINAL

Mattoon  29 at Salem  6, FINAL

Newton  49 at Flora  0, FINAL

Cumberland  30 at Oblong  14, FINAL

Olney Richland County 26 at Paris  7, FINAL

Meridian  6 at Shelbyville 44, FINAL

Hillsboro  27 at Vandalia 34, FINAL IN OVERTIME

Pana  37 at Greenville 12, FINAL

Casey-Westfield  0 at Monticello  36, FINAL