Football Hearts Improve to 2-0 w/Homecoming Win Over Charleston

The Effingham Hearts improved to 2-0 on the young season defeating the Charleston Trojans 34-14 Friday night. It was Homecoming at Klosterman Field. The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

Effingham capitalized on two first quarter turnovers by Charleston to build a 14-0 lead. An interception by Parker Wolfe gave the Hearts the ball on Charleston's 46 yard line and Effingham scored seven plays later on a two-yard run to Trevor Donsbach. Beau Hefner's extra point kick made it 7-0 Effingham with 8:26 left in the opening period.

Then, a fumble recovery at Charleston's 39 yard line set the Hearts up again. Five plays later, Chase Woomer scored from four yards out and Osvaldo Angel's extra-point kick put the Hearts up 14-0 with 6:41 left in the first period. 

Effingham's own miscue set up Charleston after punter Trevon Benavides dropped the snap. Benavides still punted to the 33 yard line, but the Trojans were able to capitalize and score three plays later on an 11-yard run by Cory Spour and the extra point kick to move back within 14-7 with 2:19 left in the opening quarter.

Effingham rebounded to score with 4:19 left in the second quarter at the end of a three-play, 39-yard drive when Donsbach ran for his second score of the game from 28 yards out and the kick put the Hearts up 21-7. 

The Hearts pulled farther away with 3:16 remaining in the third quarter when Nate Thompson threw a 35-yard strike to Tristin Duncan to make it a 27-7 game.

Effingham scored its final points with 10:57 left in the game when Nate Thompson threw to Connor Thompson from two yards out and Hefner's kick was good to make it 34-7.

Charleston quarterback Jack Nelson took the ball in from five yards out with 4:18 remaining capping a six-play, 55-yard drive to account for the final score.

Effingham totaled 20 first downs, 12 in the first half, to 11 for Charleston, seven in the second half. The Hearts gained 13 first downs via rushing, seven by passing, while Charleston picked up eight rushing touchdowns. 

The Hearts rushed 40 times for 218 yards, and completed 14 passes for 141 yards. Effingham held the Trojans to 39 yards rushing on 31 carries, along with eight pass completions for 83 yards.

Effingham outgained Charleston 359 yards to 122 yards. 

The Hearts had their problems, being penalized seven times and fumbling five times, losing two of them.

As far as individual stats, Chase Woomer rushed 22 times for 125 yards, the second straight week over 100 yards. Trevor Donsbach had 12 carries for 80 yards, and Keegan Baker rushed five times for 14 yards.

Nate Thompson attempted 22 passes, completing 14 for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Tristin Duncan had nine catches for 118 yards and a score, Austin Herboth had two grabs for 11 yards, Holden Lewis had two catches for eight yards, and Connor Thompson had the two-yard touchdown reception.

Other stats: Benavides had three punts totaling 104 yards, Armando Estrada had four kickoffs totaling 210 yards, Keegan Baker returned two kicks for 38 yards and Trevor Donsbach had one for 20 yards.

For Charleston, Cory Spour who had 162 yards rushing last week, was held to 44 yards by the Hearts. Jack Nelson was 8 for 20 passing for Charleston for 83 yards. Sam Schuette caught three passes for 32 yards Ty Coartney had two catches for eight yards, Brayden Rennels had two grabs for 34 yards, and Spour caught a nine-yard pass.

As far as the tackle sheet for the Hearts, Dalton Fox one; Jacob Stoneburner six; Austin Herboth eight plus two sacks; Gunnar Franklin three plus a forced fumble; Gabe Kihne 12 plus a sack; Jakob Logan three; Logan Heil four, plus three sacks; Parker Wolfe three; Trevon Benavides three, one for loss; Noah Jones one; Alex Baughman one; and Shawn Cochan a punt block. 

Effingham heads to Mattoon next Friday to meet the Green Wave in Apollo Conference action. Kickoff is at 7pm on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com.