Hearts Blank Mattoon, Other High School Football Scores 9-16-22

The Effingham Hearts played their most impressive game of the 2022 high school football season Friday night, blanking the Mattoon Green Wave 34-0. The game at Gaines Field in Mattoon, was heard on 979XFM.

The Hearts excelled in every phase of the game to improve to 2-2 on the season and 2-1 in Apollo Conference contests. 

Effingham scored with 2:20 remaining in the first quarter at the end of a 14-play, 86-yard drive that took 6:44 off the clock. The drive was culminated by an eight-yard touchdown run by Evan Waymoth. A penalty called back the extra point kick and the second attempt was no good, but the Hearts were on the board.

Effingham scored again with 8:14 left in the second quarter at the end of a 12-play, 52-yard drive when Tanner Pontious scored from a yard out. The drive took 4:56 to complete and was capped by an Armando Estrada extra point to make it 13-0.

Photos by Gary Stanfield of Riviera Records. Additional game photos are located here

The Hearts staged a six-play, 35-yard drive that took 2:11 and came with 6:50 left in the third quarter when Pontious' seven-yard pass to Colton Loy and an extra point by Estrada made it 20-0

Effingham scored again with one minute remaining in the third quarter when Waymoth scored from one yard out to cap a 10-play, 47-yard drive that took 4:18 to complete. 

The Hearts scored one more time with 9:41 left in the game at the end of a five-play, 31-yard drive highlighted by Weldon Dunston's five-yard touchdown run and one more extra point by Estrada to close out the scoring.

Photos by Gary Stanfield of Riviera Records. Additional game photos are located here

Effingham finished with 25 first downs to eight for the Green Wave. 20 of those first downs were via the rush, four on passes, and one by penalty. That's as opposed to eight first downs for Mattoon. The Hearts ran 66 plays to 52 for Mattoon, but the Hearts finished with 303 total net yards to 177 for the Green Wave. Time of possession was a hugh advantage for Effingham, 31:20 to 16:40 for Mattoon.

Individually, Waymoth rushed for 85 yards on 25 carries with two touchdowns. Pontious rushed 14 times for 73 yards and a touchdown. Weldon Dunston carried three times for 26 yards and a touchdown. Muhammad Freeman rushed seven times for 34 yards. Caden Walls carried twice for seven yards, Gaige Gillum carried twice for six yards, and Kaden Koeberlein rushed once for no gain.

Photos by Gary Stanfield of Riviera Records. Additional game photos are located here

Pontious attempted 12 passes and completed nine for 72 yards and a touchdown. Andrew Lotz caught four passes for 41 yards, Colton Loy one catch for seven yards and a touchdown, Kaden Koeberlein caught two passes for 22 yards, Jacob Weaver caught a pass for two yards, and Caden Walls caught a pass for no gain.

Pontious punted twice for 109 yards, Estrada kicked off six times for 342 yards, and Connor Simmons and Jack Harper each had an interception.

Here's the tackle sheet: Connor Simmons 4, Logan Heil 7, Chris Hemwall 8, Michael Love 6, Charlie Ring 3, Spencer Fox 4, Myles Maxedon 3, Zach Donaldson 1, London Rinkel 2, Josh Kelley 2, Jack Harper 3, Blake Bushue 1, and Armando Estrada 1.

The Hearts will host Taylorville in Apollo Conference action next Friday at 7pm at Klosterman Field at Washington Savings Bank Stadium.

Effingham  34,  Mattoon 0  (Final)

Cumberland  28,  ALAH 26 (Final)

Red Hill 22,  Newton 17 (Final)

Arcola  46,  Tri County  14 (Final)

Mahomet-Seymour 63,  Lincoln 14  (Final)

Shelbyville 40,  Tuscola  6  (Final)

Mt Zion  21,  Taylorville 6 (Final)

St Teresa 62,  Meridian  0  (Final)

Breese Mater Dei  51,  Alton Marquette 0  (Final)

Collinsville 28,  Charleston 7  (4Q)

Robinson  32,  Casey  8 (4Q)

Olney/Richland County  42,  Marshall  7 (4Q)

Highland  61,  Jerseyville 19 (4Q)

Vandalia 30,  Hillsboro 12  (3Q)