Game of the Year Friday? Effingham at Mt. Zion

What could be the game of the year is set for Friday night, as the Effingham Hearts travel to Mt. Zion to take on the Braves. Game time is 7pm. Hear the action on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

Both Effingham and Mt. Zion are 7-0, so this will determine the Apollo Conference champion and, of course, determine who remains unbeaten.

Effingham won their two-day opener, coming from behind to win at Breese Mater Dei 32-28. They won their conference opener, defeating Lincoln 46-7, then went to Jerseyville and won 34-28. After defeating Mahomet-Seymour 49-7, the Hearts won at Charleston 35-14, and then defeated Mattoon 42-0. Last Friday, Effingham went to Taylorville and smashed the Tornadoes 48-6.

Mt. Zion won their season opener at Highland 31-21, then won at Dunlap 24-21. The Braves beat Charleston 48-7 and beat Mattoon 50-7. Following a 43-8 win over Mahomet-Seymour, Mt. Zion beat Taylorville at Mt. Zion 31-14 and downed Lincoln 43-7.

The Hearts are led offensively by senior quarterback Nathan Shackelford. Shackelford has had big yardage totals in several games this season, but is perhaps best known for his high percentage of completions and his ability to get out of tough situations utilizing his scrambling. Also clicking for the Hearts is running back Chase Woomer. The junior became the lead back when Logan Brown went down due to injury. Brown is back on defense, but Woomer has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the past three games. The Hearts also have an array of receivers, led by Tristin Duncan.

After Friday, the Hearts return home for Senior Night as they host Freeburg.

Here are the matchups for Week 8:

EFFINGHAM _____ at MT. ZION _____

TAYLORVILLE _____ at CHARLESTON ______

MATTOON _____ at LINCOLN ______

MAHOMET-SEYMOUR _____ at Macomb ______

Olney Richland County _____ at Newton ______

Cerro Gordo-Bement _____ at Cumberland ______

Breese Mater Dei _____ at St. Louis Lutheran South _____

Marshall _____ at Casey-Westfield _____

Freeburg _____ at Salem ______

Jerseyville _____ at Highland ______

Paris _____ at Robinson _____

Pana _____ at Vandalia _____

Shelbyville _____ at Tuscola _____

Carlyle _____ at Flora ______