Hearts Open Season w/54-30 Victory Over Robinson

Effingham tacklers bring down a Robinson player during Friday night action.

The Effingham Hearts won a wild and wooly game to open their 2024 football season, defeating the Robinson Maroons 54-30. The Senior Night contest at Klosterman Field at Washington Savings Bank Stadium was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. It was the season opener for both schools.

The two teams combined to score 14 times.

Blake Green scored on a 70-yard touchdown reception to give Robinson a 6-0 with 5:10 left in the opening quarter.

The Hearts, though, scored three straight times on touchdown runs by Weldon Dunston of eight yards and one yard and Max Buzzard scored on a 12-yard run and the Hearts led 21-6.

Robinson scored on a 32-yard run by Green, Dunston scored on an 80-yard run, and Robinson scored on a 72-yard run and it was 28-18. The Hearts got a 28-yard field goal from Maicol Sefton just before halftime and the Hearts led 31-18.

Sefton then kicked a 35-yard field goal to start the third goal and the Hearts led 34-18. Dunston scored from three yards out to make it 40-18, Robinson scored on a 58-yard pass reception, and Robinson scored on an 83-yard run and suddenly the Hearts lead was down to 40-30. 

However, Dunston rushed 18 yards for his fifth touchdown and Wade Bushur scored off an interception and the Hearts claimed the victory.

Effingham won despite Robinson gaining 429 yards in offense to 403 for Effingham. Robinson outgained the Hearts through the air 303 to 107, but Effingham outrushed the Maroons 296 to 126.

Portions of the game were pretty sketchy, as the two squads were penalized for 21 penalties.

Hearts' senior running back Weldon Dunston rushed 26 times for 246 yards and five touchdowns. Max Buzzard rushed for a 15-yard touchdown.

Jaxon Bridges was four for nine passing for 93 yards, while Max Buzzard was two for five for 14 yards.Kaden Koeberlein caught four passes for 70 yards and Maxx Kistler had two catches for 37 yards. Wade Bushur had three interceptions for 38 yards and a touchdown and Will Hecht had 17-yard interception.

Maicol Sefton punted four times for 147 yards and had seven kicks for 356 yards. Dunston had three kickoff returns for 114 yards.

Reese Johnson led Robinson with 296 yards passing with four touchdowns and three interceptions. Johnson rushed seven times for 91 yards and a touchdown.

The Hearts head to Mt. Carmel next Friday night action. Kickoff will be at 7pm.

Effingham's Rylan Pals (56) signals a touchdown during action against Robinson.