What: Class 4A second-round playoff game

When: 2 p.m. today

Where: QND field, 10th and Jackson

Records: Effingham -- 9-1 (6-1, Second in the Apollo Conference). QND -- 10-0 (5-0, first in the Mid-State Six Conference).

Coaches: Effingham -- Mike McDonald (100-75 at Harrisburg, 18th season). QND -- Bill Connell (130-60 at QND, 18th season).

Postseason history: Effingham -- 15th appearance, 8-14 record. QND -- 16th appearance, 17-15 record.

Best postseason finish: Effingham -- Reached Class 3A quarterfinals in 1980 and Class 4A quarterfinals in 1987. QND -- Reached Class 3A semifinals in 1974 and Class 4A semifinals in 2004.

As the fans see it: According to those registered for the "Are You Smarter Than The Sports Guys?" contest at www.whig.com/smarter, 96 percent favor QND.

Scouting Effingham: Connell raved about the Flaming Hearts' defense, and with good reason. Effingham shut out its first five opponents and has allowed only two foes to score more than eight points this season. More importantly, the Flaming Hearts know how to turn turnovers into points.

Effingham has returned five interceptions for touchdowns this season, three by defensive back Jake Taylor. Cole Morrow has two interception returns for touchdowns, covering 104 and 105 yards, and a 90-yard punt return for a score.

"When you shut out your first five opponents, you're able to beat Breese Mater Dei and Belleville Althoff, you're only allowing seven points a game, so right there I think I just sold to you why they're a good defense," Connell said. "They fly to the ball better than any team we've played."

Scouting QND: So much of QND's success has been because of the play of the defensive front five. The linemen -- tackles Zach Reichert, Connor Miller and Jay Finley and ends Chip Holtschlag and Zach Marquess -- have combined for 192 tackles, 10 sacks and three forced turnovers.

"We've got guys like Connor Miller and Jay Finley just shutting the run game down and getting a pass rush," cornerback Brandon Ley said. It makes it so much easier on us defensive backs and linebackers. ... They are kind of like a cushion you can fall back on."

Getting his kicks: Effingham kicker Graham Glaspy had never attempted an extra point, let alone a field goal, in his high school career until the final week of the regular season.

Now, he's done both. The senior offensive lineman made a 20-yard field goal with 9.4 seconds remaining in regulation last Friday to give the Flaming Hearts an 10-7 victory Belleville Althoff.

"Graham did a great job," McDonald told the Effingham Daily News. "He has worked his butt off in practice."

-- Matt Schuckman