Tough D not enough for Urbana in loss to Eastmoor

Hillclimbers miss some key opportunities in  D-III, Region 10 playoffs.

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By Brian Plasters, Staff Writer 11:48 PM Friday, November 4, 2011

COLUMBUS — Urbana’s defense was good. But Eastmoor’s was better.

Eastmoor Academy recovered an Urbana fumble in the end zone and returned a punt for another score, and that was all it would need in a 14-0 Division III, Region 10 playoff win against the Hillclimbers on Friday at Archie Griffin Field.

Urbana’s defense limited the Warriors (9-2 and the No. 3 seed in the region) to 152 total yards of offense and five first downs. Eastmoor punted nine times.

“Our defense was incredible tonight,” Urbana head coach Geron Stokes said. “We have tough kids that want to hit you. ... We knew they had two tailbacks that were lights out, and we hit them.”

But Urbana’s offense struggled against Eastmoor’s swarming defense and missed some key opportunities to get on the scoreboard. Four times in the second half the Hillclimbers were inside Eastmoor’s 25-yard line and couldn’t score.

Even in prime field position, Urbana still struggled. After Bry Ireland returned an Eastmoor fumble to the 7-yard line early in the fourth quarter, Urbana got it to the 2 but couldn’t score.

It was a similar theme most of the night as Urbana had 7 total rushing yards.

Freshman quarterback Nathan Mays passed for 116 yards, but he also threw two interceptions (just his third and fourth of the year, respectively).

Eastmoor, meanwhile, made the most of two big opportunities in the first half to take the lead. Brent Granger pounced on a fumble in the end zone on Urbana’s second drive. Khalil Hairston returned a punt 63 yards with 10:18 left in the half for the second score.

The Hillclimbers, the No. 6 seed in the region, came into the playoffs on a six-game winning streak. They finish with an 8-3 record, with all three losses to playoff teams. Urbana’s last playoff appearance was 2007.

“This is where we want to be as a program,” Stokes said. “The next step is acting like we’ve been here before and winning some games.”

Eastmoor will play the winner of Clyde and Napoleon next week in a regional semifinal.

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