DIVISION IV PLAYOFFS Liberty must avoid mistakes against Ursuline in regional

The Leopards are coming of their first playoff win in school history.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
LIBERTY -- In just their second playoff game in school history, in front of their home crowd, on TV, against a team with 17 playoff appearances and a Division I college prospect at quarterback, the Liberty Leopards turned the ball over three times in the first half of last Friday's game ... and won anyway.
"We can't do that against Ursuline," Liberty coach Jeff Whittaker said of the turnovers. "We can't afford to make those kind of errors."
Or any kind of errors. Not with Ursuline's talent.
"They're just a real good football team," said Whittaker. "But at this point, I don't think you're going to play a team that doesn't belong here. You don't get a Cinderella at this point."
The Leopards (10-1), fresh off their first playoff win in school history, will meet the Irish (7-4), fresh off their 15th playoff win in school history, in Friday's Div. IV regional semifinal at Fitch Falcon Stadium.
Simple game plan
Liberty's game plan is simple. Run the ball well, and keep Ursuline -- especially senior Alex Allen -- from running the ball well.
"They're a little like us in that we try to get a good run game as a base, then work the pass off the run," Whittaker said. "It's funny, last week we were throwing it and someone in the stands started yelling for us to run the ball. He's saying, 'You know better than that, we're not a passing team!'
"Usually, it's just the opposite from the fans."
Junior running back Chris Harden, who had 630 yards rushing in the regular season, gained 186 yards and scored twice in Friday's 36-19 win over Orrville, including a 45-yard touchdown in the closing minutes to put the game away.
"It's a lot more fun," he said of the postseason. "There's a different feeling. It's more intense. You get a lot of love from the community."
So he's not tired of playing?
"Of course not," he said. "I can't wait to play another week."
Lead ground game
Harden, along with Marcellus Bowman and quarterback Brian Jones, lead the ground game, while Bowman and Brian Cornwell are the main receiving threats. Dania Gillam was the team's leading rusher in the regular season, but has been hampered by injuries in recent weeks.
"If we can run, it opens up the rest of the offense," said Whittaker. "And it keeps them off the field.
"The fewer touches we give Allen, the better."
Junior Donovan Fletcher -- whose brother, Bradley, is a red-shirt freshman at Iowa -- leads a defense that has held five teams under 10 points this season. The Leopards will have their hands full containing Allen, a 2,000-yard rusher, and wideout Derrick Stewart, a two-time All-Ohioan in the hurdles.
"They're definitely strong in the run game," Fletcher said of Ursuline. "They've got speed."
"Lots of speed," Harden said, interrupting. "We've got to have 11 guys going to the ball if we're going to contain [Allen]."
Despite losing their top playmaker to graduation in Bradley Fletcher, the Leopards have been even better this season. Whittaker points to a strong senior class -- Liberty had 17 lettermen returning this season -- and a coaching staff with loads of experience.
"Most of these guys have been with us for 10 years," said Whittaker, now in his 10th year at Liberty. "Most of the coaches have 20 years of experience. They've shown a tremendous amount of loyalty, and they've established that with the kids."
Last inter-loop clash
The last time a Trumbull Athletic Conference team met a Steel Valley Conference team was two years ago, when Girard and Ursuline played in the regional final. The Irish won that game 31-14.
"Anytime you have two teams that play in different leagues and don't have a lot of common opponents, you're a little mystified as to what to expect," Whittaker said. "You watch film, but they don't know a whole lot about us and we don't know a whole lot about them."
Still, with both schools on the north side of Youngstown, there are plenty of fans who are familiar with both.
"Yeah, you have the Ursuline lovers and you have those other people," Whittaker said, chuckling.
Fletcher, like the rest of the Leopards, doesn't have much playoff experience, but he handles interviews like a professional.
To wit: "We have to mix things up, execute properly and eliminate mistakes," he said. "And we can't get down early."
And give 110 percent?
"Nah, I can't use that one," he said, smiling. "That gets used a lot."
scalzo@vindy.com