Hearts Three-Game Win Streak Snapped (Adding Tackle Sheet)

The Effingham Hearts saw their three-game win streak snapped Friday night as the Hearts lost to undefeated Mater Dei, 41-13, in Breese. The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

Effingham stayed with Mater Dei early. After the Knights scored to take a 7-0 lead four minutes into the game, Effingham responded with a 13-play, 51-yard drive capped by a two-yard pass into the middle of the end zone from Tanner Pontious to Evan Waymoth. Armando Estrada's extra point kick tied the game at 7-7 with 10:12 remaining in the second quarter.

Mater Dei took control of the game in that period, though, scoring on runs of one and 11 yards from Cameron Haag, then a six-yard run by Jayce Napovanice to take a 28-7 lead to the halftime locker room. 

The Hearts got the ball to start the second half, but an interception allowed Mater Dei to see Haag score on touchdown passes of 18 yards and then 17 yards to extend the lead to 41-7 with five minutes left in the third quarter.

Effingham did score one more time, with 2:20 remaining in the game. The score came at the end of an eight-play, 35-yard drive capped by John Westendorf's one-yard touchdrive run.

Some of the game stats were closer than the score would indicate. Mater Dei had just a 15-11 first down edge. Effingham outrushed Mater Dei 130 to 102 yards. Passing, though, was where the stats showed a big disparity. Mater Dei passed for 142 yards, while the Hearts threw for just 27 yards. Mater Dei led in total yardage, 244 to 157 yards.

John Westendorf carried the ball 23 times for 91 yards including the closing touchdown. Keegan Baker had eight rushes for 34 yards, and Tanner Pontious rushed for three yards on 15 carries. Pontious attempted 14 passes and connected on five for 27 yards and one touchdown.

Evan Waymoth had the two-yard touchdown catch, Caden Walls a three-yard grab, and Armando Estrada had three catches for 22 yards.

Carter Bushue returned an interception two yards, Pontious kicked off three times for 158 yards, Westendorf returned kickoffs four times for 43 yards and Keegan Baker twice for 47 yards.

Here's the tackle sheet: Armando Estrada one, Logan Heil six, Noah Jones six, Charlie Ring two, London Rinkel sx, Dalton Fox eight, Edgar Castillo three, Carter Bushue one, Trinity Womack one, Garrett Wolfe one, Michael Love one, Caden Walls one, Max Nelson two, Blake Bushue one, Connor Thompson one, Evan Waymoth one, Chris Hemwall one.

Effingham is back to .500 on the season at 4-4 with one game remaining next Friday against Highland. Hear the game at Klosterman Field at 6:30pm. It'll be Senior Night with pregame activities beginning at 5:30pm.

Other Scores:

Breese Mater Dei 41,  Effingham 13 (Final)

Vandalia 49,  Litchfield 6 (Final)

Cumberland 41,  Cerro Gordo 6 (Final)

Paris 12,  Robinson 0 (Final)

Lincoln 42,  Taylorville 0 (Final)

Olney 13,  Newton 2 (Final)

Tri County 8, Sangamon Valley 6  (Final)

Mt Zion 32,  Charleston 7 (Final)

Mahomet-Seymour 18,  Mattoon 0 (Final)

Sesser 16, Flora 12 (4Q)