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Rarely is finding grass a priority for a football team.

But after 48 scoreless minutes of trudging through the muck of its monsoon-ravaged field, Urbana High and its kicker Ray Durante looked for a solid piece of real estate on which to attempt a game winning field goal. Navigating into position, Durante connected from 27 yards as the Hawks outlasted Tuscarora to take Saturday's Class 3A West semifinal 3-0 in overtime.

"Ray is a great kicker," Hawks' head coach Joe Polce said. "We had all the confidence in the world he'd make that kick. As long as it looked like he had a little bit of grass, we knew he'd make it."

Tuscarora drew first possession in the extra period. Gaining no yards, the Titans had to settle for a field goal attempt in the middle of an uncompromisingly slippery bog. Lacking any semblance of footing, kicker Zach Kirk's boot fell well short as the contest remained scoreless.

Like most who braved the downpour, Durante spent much of the afternoon waiting for something to happen. As regulation began to fade away, he wondered if he'd have an opportunity to play the hero. He watched as his counterpart fell short and made a mental note as to the location of the spot.

Taking over on the 10, three runs, including a pair by Kevin Wilkes, advanced to solid footing at the 4. Upon taking the field, Durante, as well as most of the Hawks' sidelines, began screaming for the officials to return the ball from the muddy mark in which they'd spotted it, to the green pastures on which Wilkes had been taken down. Following the move, Durante was able to deliver.

Durante achieved a measure of redemption Saturday. He'd botched a potential game winning 20- yard attempt against Gwynn Park earlier in the season, in a contest Urbana (8-3) would eventually take in overtime.

"I was like ‘I got to do this, this time'," Durante said. "I can't miss it again."

The majority of the contest was little more than trench warfare. Rain and mud severely hindered both team's ability to execute offensively.

A melancholy disbelief made its way through the Titans' postgame huddle. Players and coaches alike were physically and emotionally drained. One staff member praised team members for leaving everything on the field. Head coach Shawn Carey closed out the season by shaking each of his players' hands.

"We didn't lose because of a lack of effort," Carey said. "We fought out butts off."

Finishing at 8-3, Saturday concluded the finest season in Titans' short history. When asked if 2008 would serve as a foundation for future success, Carey smiled and said he's too upset to think about it now, but to ask him Monday.

A visit to undefeated Seneca Valley, who edged out Damascus 27-26, awaits the Hawks. The Screaming Eagles knocked off Urbana, 27-21 last year in the opening round of the West Region playoffs.

"I'm not worried about it," Hawks' quarterback Jesse Heon said. "I played them last year in the playoffs. I'm ready. I've seen them. They're pretty much our playoff rival now. It seems like we lose to them in every sport and it's a new rivalry."