Effingham Now 5-0 After Win at Charleston

It was a struggle in the first half, but the Effingham Hearts nonetheless posted a 35-14 victory over the Charleston Trojans Friday night. The Apollo Conference win pushed the Hearts to 5-0 on the season and 3-0 in the conference. The contest was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

Charleston scored on an interception on Effingham's first possession of the game to take a 7-0 lead, but the Hearts scored the next 35 points in the contest.

Those points didn't come easily, though; the Hearts scored on a 60-yard pass play from Nathan Shackelford to Tristin Duncan and made the extra point to tie the game at 7-7 with 4:40 remaining in the first half, and that's where the game stood at halftime.

Effingham stopped turning the ball over so much after intermission and scored four unanswered touchdowns to make it 35-7. The Hearts' scores came on a three-yard run by Keegan Baker, a one-yard score by Chase Woomer, and catches of 24 yards and 22 yards by Cameron Kalber. 

Charleston got the ball at the Hearts' five-yard line on a muffed punt play and Cory Spour took it in for the Trojans other touchdown in the contest with 2:09 to go.

Effingham generated 378 yards in offense to 117 yards for Charleston and gained 21 first downs to nine for the Trojans. The Hearts rushed for 14 first downs, threw for six more, and got one via a penalty.

The Hearts rushed 52 times for 205 yards and touchdowns, while Shackelford was 10 for 18 for 173 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions. Charleston rushed 30 times for 89 yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Nick Cheney was five for 24 passing for 28 yards with three interceptions.

Chase Woomer had a big night for Effingham, rushing the ball 25 times for 142 yards and a touchdown. Shackelford rushed 13 times for 22 yards, Marcus Hites covered a fumble for a one-yard loss, Keegan Baker rushed 10 times for 34 yards and a touchdown, and Trevor Donsbach carried three times for eight yards.

Tristin Duncan led Hearts receivers with five catches for 107 yards and a touchdown, Cam Kalber caught two passes for 46 yards and two scores, Jett Gillum had two catches for 13 yards, and Holden Lewis caught a seven-yard pass.

Other stats for Effingham: Dawson Whitten punted twice for 54 yards; Ivan Angel's six kickoffs totaled 324 yards; Chase Woomer covered a kickoff for no gain; Jacob Stoneburner and Alex Baughman each recovered a fumble; and Parker Wolfe had two interceptions while Mason Hasty grabbed a third one.

As far as the tackle sheet for Effingham, Mason Hasty had a huge night. In addition to his interception, Hasty had 12 tackles, including nine solos. Also for Effingham: Hayvin Prather five, three solos; Luke Spencer one but some great work defending on pass attempts; Parker Wolfe two, one solo; Austin Herboth seven, five solos; Dawson Whitten five, three solos; Alex Baughman four, three solos; Gunnar Franklin three; Jett Gillum two; Jakob Logan two; Jacob Stoneburner one. 

Brayden Doyle led Charleston in rushing with 40 yards in 14 attempts, while Cory Spour gained 42 yards in 11 carries.

Effingham is now playoff-eligible and could clinch a playoff berth with a win next week against Mattoon. This will be Homecoming Week at EHS with the parade at 6pm Wednesday followed by a powder puff game and a bonfire, then the game at 7pm Friday and the dance Saturday night.

Charleston is now 2-3 on the season.