Hearts Lose in Overtime to Mt. Carmel 36-30

Effingham High School's Maicol Sefton kicks an extra point while Zach Donaldson holds the ball during Friday's game.

The prevailing sentiment following the overtime battle between the Effingham Hearts and the Mt. Carmel Golden Aces Friday night was: "what a game".

Mt. Carmel scored twice in overtime to once for the Hearts and the Golden Aces won the game 36-30. The clash was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

In an overtime, each team gets four plays to score from 10 yards out. The Hearts got the ball first and scored on a seven-yard pass play from Gaige Gillum to Andrew Lotz, but missed the extra point. It was then Mt. Carmel's turn and they scored on a pass play from Blayne Sisson to Andrew Gillihan but they missed the extra point, leaving the game tied at 30.

Mt. Carmel got to go first on the second turn and they scored, again on a pass from Sisson to Gillihan. The Golden Aces went for two and didn't score. Effingham then got their second try and couldn't score, just missing on a pass play that would've tied the game and set up a winning extra point.

During regulation, Mt. Carmel scored at the end of the first game to move ahead 7-0, but the Hearts scored at the start of the third quarter on a 59-yard pass from Gillum to Lotz to tie the game. The Hearts then scored at the end of the third quarter on a one-yard run by Gillum to make it 14-7.

Then came a wild fourth quarter during which the teams combined for five scores. Mt. Carmel tied it on a 20-yard pass to Gillihan, but the Hearts moved right back in front on a 45-yard score by Weldon Dunston. Sisson then ran in a score for Mt. Carmel, and then the Aces got a 23-yard field goal to pull ahead 24-21. 

One of the most dramatic moments of the night came with four seconds remaining in regulation when sophomore Maicol Sefton kicked a 42-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. 

The gut-wrenching battle left each team at 1-1 on the season. 

Mt. Carmel registered 25 first downs too 14 for the Hearts. Effingham rushed for 134 yards to 81 for Mt. Carmel, but the Golden Aces threw for 286 yards to 146 for the Hearts.

Dunston rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown while Gillum rushed for 34 yards and a score.

Gillum threw for 146 yards on 11 of 26 passing including two touchdowns. Lotz caught five passes for 98 yards and two scores, while Hunter Reed had five receptions for 44 yards.

As far as tackles...Charlie Ring 7, Zach Donaldson 9, Spencer Fox 8, Wade Bushur 4, Jacob Weaver 4, Michael Love 3, Kayden Mietzner 3, Eli Middendorff 3, Kaden Koeberlein 6, and Logan Kessler 2.

Mt. Carmel's all-state quarterback Blayne Sisson was 23 for 41 for 252 yards. Andrew Gillihan caught 19 passes for 233 yards.

The Hearts will play host to Breese Mater Dei next Friday night. It'll be Military Appreciation Night.

Friday night was Senior Night. Saluted were cheerleaders Kayla Smith and Makenzie Smith, along with players Gaige Gillum, Jacob Weaver, Camden Raddatz who was injured in last night's contest, Andrew Lotz, Zach Donaldson, Spencer Fox, Maddox Burner, Brady Stortzum, Will Henderson, Elijah Middendorff, Hunter Reed, Logan Kessler and Charlie Ring.

Weldon Dunston moves through the Mount Carmel players on his way to a gain for the Hearts.