Hearts Fail to Reach Playoffs; Newton, Cumberland Reach Postseason

The Effingham Hearts failed to reach the football playoffs after closing the regular season with a 4-5 record.

There was some hope that even with just four wins, the Hearts would make the postseason due to three of its four wins coming on the road and due to a bundle of playoff points, but that wasn't enough. Three of the Hearts' losses came against teams that went undefeated on the season. 

In the area, Cumberland and Newton made the playoffs. Cumberland, at 8-1, will 5-4 host Brown County in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs. Newton, at 5-4, will travel to 9-0 Tolono Unity for first round action in the 3A playoffs.

Here's a look at the Class-by-Class brackets for Round 1:

(CLASS 1A)

(CLASS 2A)

(CLASS 3A)

(CLASS 4A)

(CLASS 5A)

(CLASS 6A)

(CLASS 7A)

(CLASS 8A NORTH)

(CLASS 8A SOUTH)