Same Two Teams, Higher Stakes, Different Venue, Different Result! This past Saturday, Mt. Zion avenges their loss two weeks ago against the Hearts with a convincing 21-2 win in the first round of the IHSA Football Playoffs. This was a defensive battle nearly the entire way the difference, the Braves were able to find the endzone a few times while Effingham just turned it over in key moments and were was shut out until the final quarter.
Another big difference from the Week 8 matchup was on that night, Effingham was able to rush for 266 yards. On Saturday the Hearts were only able to muster up 55 yards on the ground.
The game started off slow with both offenses struggling against defenses who clearly showed the teams familiarity with each other. Mt. Zion thought they had something going when Effingham was called for a penalty for running into the punter. But as the old cliché says, ball dont lie, and nothing came of the Braves second chance. Mt. Zion would get on the board with less than a minute to go in the opening quarter however. A 45 yard passing touchdown from Makobi Adams to Karson Bollhorst to make 7-0 after one.
In the second quarter, this time it was Effingham turn to have a second chance on a drive. With Effingham having to punt on a three and out, Brayden Trimble fumbled the return and the Hearts would take over. Only for nothing to come of their new drive. With two minutes left in the half, Mt. Zion drove down a short field and in six plays found the endzone again. This time a 17 yard touchdown pass from Adams to a sliding Trimble to put the Braves on top 14-0 at halftime.
It would unfortunately be more of the same for Effingham to start the second half and when it rains, it pours. The Hearts defense held Mt Zion to a punt and on the return Zach Donaldson muffed the catch.
The Braves would be set up inside the red zone.
Mt. Zion would cash in on the first play following the turnover, a 13 yard touchdown from Adams to Bollhorst again to put the Braves in control 21-0.
Effingham only points of the game came in the fourth quarter when Mt. Zion was backed up in their own endzone after the Braves picked off a Gaige Gillum pass on fourth down. The Hearts would get a safety when the ball went over the Mt Zion punter’s head and go out of the back of the endzone. Those two points would finally give Effingham some signs of life.
Unfortunately on a couple of possession later any hope for a comeback were dashed. The Hearts were putting together their best drive of the game picking up three consecutive first downs only for Effingham to fumble the ball away again.
Mt. Zion would turn the tables on Effingham this time around and end the Hearts season with a 21-2 final score.
Effingham season comes to a close after a second consecutive playoff appearance with a 5-5 record. Mt. Zion improves to 8-2 and advances to the second round of the playoffs and travel to Breese Central to take on the Cougars on Saturday at 2:00 P.M.
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | ||
EHS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
MTZ | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter 59.0 5 plays 48 yards 45 Yd TD Pass Adams-Bollhorst (Shumaker PAT Good) 7-0
2nd Quarter 33.1 6 plays 59 yards 17 Yd TD Pass Adams-Trimble (Shumaker PAT Good) 14-0
3rd Quarter 4:33 1 play 13 yards 13 Yd TD Pass Adams-Bollhorst (Shumaker PAT Good) 21-0
4th Quarter Effingham Safety 21-2
Effingham Stats
Gillum 9/19 67 yds 1 INT 17 carries 33 yards
Dunston 16 carries 26 yards 1 reception 2 yards
Belcher 1 carry -4 yards 3 receptions 37 yards
Lotz 4 recaptions 22 yards
Webb 1 reception 6 yards
Mt. Zion Stats
Adams 8/20 131 yards 3 TDs 14 carries 44 yards
Trimble 7 carries 26 yards 4 receptions 55 yards 1 TD 0/1 passing
Bollhorst 2 carries 9 yards 3 receptions 66 yards 2 TDs
Harvey 1 carry 1 yard
Anderson 1 reception 10 yards
Comments