Hearts Celebrate Homecoming w/Convincing Win Over Taylorville

The Effingham Hearts moved back to .500 on the season with a convincing 55-12 win over the Taylorville Tornadoes. The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

Effingham rolled up 440 yards in total offense, picking up 20 first downs. 311 of those yards were gained on the ground, the remaining 129 yards through the air.

The Hearts scored on an 18-yard run by Weldon Dunston, a 51-yard reception by Andrew Lotz, a one-yard run by Gaige Gillum, a six-yard run by Gillum, a two-yard run by Dunston, a 47-yard run by Dunston, a 15-yard interception return for a score by Logan Jones, and a 63-yard run by D.J. Latham. 

Taylorville scored twice in the second quarter in a span of 16 seconds due to a run and an interception return. At the time, those two scores pulled Taylorville within 14-12, but the Hearts scored the final 41 points of the game to post a convincing win.

Dunston continued his monster junior season, rushing the ball 25 times for 178 yards and three touchdowns. Gillum rushed for 52 yards and two scores. Brodie Belcher carried twice for 18 yards, and Latham had the big touchdown run. Dunston is now close to 900 yards in rushing this season.

Gillum was eight of 15 passing the ball for 128 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Lotz caught five passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, Belcher caught two passes for 22 yards, and Hunter Reed caught a 12-yard pass.

Maicol Sefton hit for 425 yards from eight kickoffs. In addition to Jones' interception, Charlie Ring recovered a fumble for the Hearts.

As far as tackles for the Hearts defense, here's the breakdown: Zach Donaldson six, Kayden Mietzner six, Charlie Ring 13, Michael Love seven, Eli Middendorff four, Logan Kessler two, Kaden Koeberlein three, Nick Martin two, Wade Bushur four, Spencer Fox 10, Jacob Weaver six, D.J. Latham one, Weldon Dunston one, Logan Jones two, Chase Smith one, Will Hecht two, Hayden Wendling one, Wyatt Hayes one.

The Hearts held Taylorville to 56 yards rushing.

Effingham improved to 3-3 on the season and to 2-1 in Apollo Conference play. Taylorville is now 3-3 on the season, 0-3 in the Apollo.