Hearts Aim for Undefeated Football Season Friday Night at Lincoln

Already crowned the Apollo Conference champs, the Effingham Flaming Hearts football team will look to close their season undefeated Friday night at Lincoln. The Apollo Conference contest will be heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. Kickoff is at 7pm. We will videotape the contest; watch for it on social media later this weekend.

A reminder that only the 150 Effingham ticketholders will be admitted to tonight's game in Lincoln, even if you've had your COVID shots; we don't want you making the long trip for nothing.

Effingham opened the season with a 21-7 win at Mahomet-Seymour, then won their home opener 34-14 over Charleston. The Hearts pitched a shutout at Mattoon 28-0 before having a game canceled when Taylorville had to deal with COVID-19. The Hearts bounced back with a 34-21 win over previously unbeaten Mt. Zion to clinch the conference championship. 

While Effingham hasn't lost, Lincoln hasn't won. The Railers lost to Charleston 54-0, then were beaten by Springfield Lanphier 59-15 in non-conference action. The Railers lost to Mahomet-Seymour 42-14, then fell to Mt. Zion 65-6. Lincoln lost last week to Mattoon 42-18. 

The Hearts will be without starting quarterback Nathan Thompson, who broke his hand in last week's win but still finished the game. Junior Noah Jones will start for the Hearts. 

Here are the Week 6 matchups:

Effingham _____ at Lincoln _____

Mattoon _____ at Charleston _____

Taylorville _____ at Mahomet-Seymour _____

Mt. Zion _____ at Chillicothe I-V-C _____

Flora _____ at Casey-Westfield _____

Newton _____ at Lawrenceville _____

Mt. Carmel _____ at Olney Richland County _____

Cerro Gordo/Bement _____ at Cumberland _____

Gillespie _____ at Vandalia _____

Shelbyville _____ at Tuscola _____