Hearts Ready for 2019 Season Opener

Kickoff is at 7pm. Hear the action on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com.

Effingham has been on a roll, reaching the second round of the playoffs two seasons ago and then making it to the quarterfinals last year for the first time in 30 seasons.

The Hearts are dealing with significant player losses due to graduation, but have a lot of experienced players returning, including eight starters on defense.

Nathan Shackelford will take over quarterback duties from Landon Wolfe, who now owns almost every passing record in EHS history. Shackelford is not only an effective passer, but also is a running threat. Jett Gillum takes over as fullback and Logan Brown is back to handle the tailback position. Cameron Kalber and Tristin Duncan will start at wide receiver, back for another season. The O-line will include center Stetson Green, guards Marcus Hites and Justin Baker, and tackles Nathan Barnes and Ethan Huss. Jacob Briggerman returns at the tight end spot.

Luke Spencer will be the long snapper and Parker Wolfe will be the holder for field goal and extra point tries. Kicking duties will again be shared by Beau Hefner and Ivan Angel, while Dawson Whitten will be the punter again this season.

On defense, Alex Baughman and Hayvin Prather will be the tackles, Dawson Whitten and Austin Herboth will be the ends, Jacob Stoneburner and Mason Hasty will be the linebackers, and the defensive backs will be Luke Spencer, Parker Wolfe, Logan Brown, Logan Arend and Jakob Logan. 

Parker Wolfe will handle punt returns and the kick returners will include Keegan Baker, Chase Woomer, Holden Lewis and Jakob Logan.

Here are the Friday night Week 1 matchups:

Effingham _____ at Breese Mater Dei _____

Charleston _____ at Macomb _____

Bartonville Limestone _____ at Lincoln _____

Marion _____ at Mahomet-Seymour _____

Mattoon _____ at Troy Triad _____

Mt. Zion _____ at Highland _____

Mt. Vernon _____ at Taylorville _____

Newton _____ at Paris _____

Cumberland _____ vs. Decatur Lutheran _____

Shelbyville _____ at Seneca ______

Flora _____ at Bridgeport Red Hill _____

Casey-Westfield _____ at Olney Richland County _____

Centralia _____ at Salem _____

Jerseyville _____ at Granite City _____

Sparta _____ at Freeburg _____