The Effingham Flaming Hearts are in uncharted territory after their 27-14 victory over Prairie Central. The Hearts are headed to the semi finals and are one of the final four teams in the state in 4A.
The Hearts came out of the gates swinging getting on the scoreboard first with a 18 yard TD Nate Shackelford to Jett Gilum almost two minutes into the game. That touchdown was all set up by a big pass play on the first play from scrimmage from Shackelford to Cameron Kalber. The Hawks would respond early in the second quarter with a 24 yard rushing touchdown by junior QB Kaden King on a beautifully designed play. Central would then take advantage of Effingham turnover getting into the end zone thru the air, uncharacteristic of the triple option heavy Hawks. The two teams would enter the locker rooms tied at 14 after Logan Brown found his way into the end zone from 5 yards out with about a minute to go in the half.
The Hearts defense adjusted and ended up handling the triple option well, holding the Hawks scoreless in the 2nd half along with forcing two interceptions. Luke Spencer and Parker Wolfe get credited for those INTs. With Wolfe’s INT that gives him 11 on the season, breaking the school record for most INTs in a season. Add the outstanding defensive play with two touchdowns from the offense Shackelford to Duncan and another TD on the ground from Brown and that equals a Hearts 27-14 win.
EHS now advance to the semi finals for the first time in the current format of the IHSA playoffs. The team also got their 10th win last week a feat no other Effingham football team has ever done, now improve to 11-1. Prairie Central finishes the season 9-3.
Effingham advances the final four to take on Murphysboro next Saturday at 2:00 back at Klosterman Field
Scoring Plays:
1st Quarter 10:11 Effingham 18 Yard TD Pass Nathan Shackelford to Jehtt Gillum PAT Good 7-0.
2nd Quarter 9:41 Prairie Central 24 Yard TD Run Kaden King 2 Pt Conversion No Good 7-6.
2nd Quarter 8:31 Prairie Central 51 Yard TD Pass King to Corbin Moser 2 Pt Conversion Good 14-7.
2nd Quarter 1:15 Effingham 5 Yard TD Run Logan Brown PAT Good 14-14.
3rd Quarter 3:18 Effingham 23 Yard TD Pass Shackelford to Tristin Duncan PAT No Good 20-14.
4th Quarter 8:48 Effingham 4 Yard TD Run Brown PAT Good 27-14.
Effingham Stats
Nate Shackelford 12/13 188 yards 2 TDs 11 carries 31 yards.
Chase Woomer 18 carries 44 yards.
Logan Brown 13 carries 40 yards 2 TDs.
Tristin Duncan 4 catches 45 yards 1 TD.
Jett Gillum 2 catches 31 yards 1 TD.
Cameron Kalber 4 catches 45 yards 1 TD.
Parker Wolfe 1 catch 17 yards 1 interception.
Luke Spencer 1 interception.
Prairie Central Stats
Kaden King 1/8 51 yards 1 TD 2 INTs 14 carries 101 yards.
Connor Casner 9 carries 40 yards.
Dallen Loveless 3 carries 9 yards.
Corbin Moser 3 carries 21 yards 1 catch 51 yards 1 TD.
Here Effingham Hearts Head Coach Brett Hefner thoughts on the afternoon victory
