Minus starting quarterback Mik DeBaugh, Perry Hall knew it would need an outstanding effort from its defense when it traveled to Urbana Friday night for a 4A North Region football semifinal against the undefeated Hawks, who came in allowing less than four points per game.
Indeed the Gators’ “D” responded with an outstanding first half, but eventually wore down in a 28-0 loss. Perry Hall’s season came to a close with a 7-4 record.
DeBaugh was unable to go after bruising some ribs in the regular season finale against Hereford and the Perry Hall offense struggled without him at the helm. In the first half, Perry Hall allowed only a 56-yard touchdown pass from Michael Spahr to Derek Macierowski which staked Urbana to 6-0 halftime advantage.
In the third quarter, the game still felt like it could go either way, but the Hawks finally seized control with a 73-yard punt return from Aaron Bing to go in front 14-0. Urbana finished the Gators off with a pair of long drives in the fourth quarter.
With the Perry Hall passing game virtually grounded without DeBaugh, the Hawks turned all of their attention to Gator star running back Patrick Clemons, limiting him to just 38 yards on the ground.
Urbana (1-0) moves on to face Patterson in next week’s 4A North championship game.
