Hearts Go to 4-0 w/Win Over Mahomet-Seymour

The Effingham Hearts improved to 4-0 with a convincing 49-7 win over the Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs Friday night. The Apollo Conference win was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

The Hearts scored their first four possessions on a one-yard run by Chase Woomer with 7:33 left in the first quarter, a two-yard run by Woomer with 3:50 left in the period, and a seven-yard pass play from Nathan Shackelford to Jacob Briggerman with 1:14 remaining in the quarter to lead 21-0. 

Effngham scored with 10:28 left in the second quarter on a six-yard pass play from Shackelford to Jett Gillum to make it 28-0.

Mahomet-Seymour scored its only points with 8:24 left before halftime on a two-yard run by quarterback Braden Finch to pull within 28-7 before the Hearts bounced back and scored with 1:25 left before halftime on a 22-yard run by Shackelford to make it 35-7 heading into halftime.

Effingham scored with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter on a 15-yard run by Shackelford and on a 10-yard run by Keegan Baker with 7:47 left in the third quarter to account for the scoring in the game and kick in a continuous clock for the remainder of the contest.

Effingham rolled up 349 yards rushing and receiving to 195 yards for Mahomet-Seymour. The Hearts gained 131 yards rushing and 218 yards passing. Effingham generated 22 first downs; 10 rushing, 11 passing, and one on a penalty. The Bulldogs registered just eight first downs and only two rushing first downs.

The Hearts were playing without leading ground gainer Logan Brown. Shackelford rushed six times for 70 yards, scoring twice. Chase Woomer carried the ball 16 times for 32 yards with two scores. Keegan Baker had three rushes for eight yards and a score, Trevor Donsbach had eight carries for 22 yards, Edgar Castillo and Tristin Duncan each carried once, and backup quarterback Nate Thompson had two kneel-downs at game's end. 

Shackelford attempted 22 passes and hit on 17 of them, continuing his tremendous percentage of completions this season. Shack threw for 218 yards and two scores. Duncan had eight catches for 106 yards, becoming the career receiving yardage record holder for Effingham, surpassing the record Steve Klosterman rung up 50 years ago, and Duncan still has 1-1/2 seasons remaining. Kollin Waymoth had two receptions for 41 yards, Jett Gillum had four catches for 46 yards and a touchdown, Jacob Briggerman caught two passes for 12 yards and a touchdown, and Jacob Stoneburner caught a 13-yard pass.

Also for Effingham: Dawson Whitten had two punts for 57 yards; Jakob Logan, Jacob Stoneburner and Trevon Benavides each had an interception with Logan grabbing two picks. Ivan Angel had eight kickoffs for 381 yards. Chase Woomer and Jett Gillum each had a kickoff return, and Parker Wolfe had a fumble recovery.

As far as the tackle sheet for Effingham: Mason Hasty six tackles, five solos, one sack; Logan Arend six tackles, four solos; Austin Herboth three tackles, forced fumble; Jett Gillum two tackles; Dawson Whitten three tackles, one sack; Jacob Stoneburner five tackles; Shawn Cochran four tackles, one solo; Jakob Logan two tackles; Gunnar Franklin three tackles, one solo; Alex Baughman one tackle; Parker Wolfe one solo tackle; Hayvin Prather one solo tackle; Ivan Angel one solo tackle; Luke Spencer one solo tackle; Gabe Kihne one solo tackle; Zac Slifer one solo tackle; Trevon Benavides two solo tackles.

Mahomet-Seymour quarterback Braden Finch was 8 of 17 passing for 150 yards with three interceptions. Clay Hubble also threw a pick. Finch was the Bulldogs' leading rusher with 27 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.

Effingham looks to keep their unbeaten season intact next Friday with a trip to Charleston for more Apollo Conference action. Kickoff on Trojan Hill will be 7pm. Hear the action on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com.