Halloween night at Urbana High brought more than candy—it brought one of the biggest games of the season. The Hawks hosted the undefeated Linganore Lancers, and the stands were packed with students dressed in camouflage for the school’s camo-out theme. The Urbaniacs stayed loud, cheering on a team that was missing 6 of 11 starters.

Even with a shortened lineup, Urbana came out strong. The Hawks controlled the ball in the first quarter, moving it with short passes and steady runs. They limited Linganore’s opportunities early, but the drives often stalled near the red zone, and Urbana didn’t score in the opening quarter.

Linganore finally put points on the board midway through the first quarter and added another before halftime, taking a 14–0 lead. Urbana kept pushing, though, and finally got on the board in the third quarter. Senior quarterback Joshua White ran for a touchdown to cut the lead to 21–6. Sophomore Chase Kramer added 68 rushing yards, and senior Jayden Sharper contributed 50 receiving yards on four catches, helping keep the Hawks moving whenever they had the ball.

Defensively, Urbana held up better than expected. Linebackers Peyton Sipe and Carter Kuhar recorded multiple tackles, and the secondary made key stops to limit big plays. Linganore’s Bradly Matthews ran for 86 yards and two touchdowns, and Chase Perry added 108 receiving yards, but Urbana made them work for every point.

The Urbaniacs kept the energy high, cheering nonstop, while the band added to the excitement. Even as Linganore pulled away late, Urbana’s players and fans stayed engaged, proving that the effort mattered as much as the scoreboard.

This matchup is part of a long-running rivalry between Urbana and Linganore that spans all sports. Football has been a particular highlight in recent years. In 2024, Linganore defeated Urbana 49–14, and in 2023, the Lancers won 49–20. While Urbana has struggled to get wins in football, the rivalry is competitive in other sports, including basketball, soccer, and volleyball, where both schools consistently field strong teams. This history adds extra intensity, especially on nights like Halloween when the crowd is loud and school pride is on full display.

The final score was 28–6, but Urbana exceeded expectations. Many predicted a blowout, given Linganore’s undefeated record and Urbana’s missing starters. Instead, the Hawks controlled the clock early, created opportunities, and showed toughness against one of the best teams in the state.

Now, Urbana moves to 5–4 and looks ahead to the playoffs. Next week, the Hawks will face Tuscarora in the first round, hoping to carry the momentum and experience from this game into the postseason.

Even with multiple starters out, Urbana’s effort on Halloween night was impressive. Between the team’s determination, the Urbaniacs’ energy, and the camo-out atmosphere, it was a game that left players and fans feeling proud—and ready for the next challenge in the playoffs.