Week 8 High School Football Capsules
Oct. 19—6:30 p.m.
Urbana (4-3) at Oakdale (7-0): The Bears haven't been playing their prettiest football from start to finish. But their prolific big-play ability on offense, namely quarterback Evan Austin finding fellow senior Hunter Thompson on long passing plays, has meant it's hardly mattered. Last week, they overcame numerous special-teams miscues for a 41-22 victory at Walkersville. It marked the Bears' 12th win over their last 13 games, with the lone setback being a seven-point loss to Damascus last December in the Class 3A state final. This week, they are looking for their third straight win over Urbana and ninth in the last 10 meetings. The Hawks, meanwhile, are hoping to avoid their first losing streak of the season. Last week, a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions ultimately doomed them in a 25-9 home loss to Frederick, as they never could generate a enough offense to win.
Thomas Johnson (2-5) at Linganore (6-1): Despite star running back Ethan Arneson being bottled up for most of the night, Linganore still rolled over visiting Middletown 28-0 last week, thanks to a pair of interceptions that were returned for touchdowns by MJ Rawlett and Mason Farster, respectively. Arneson was held to a shockingly low output by his lofty standards, 58 yards on 38 carries. He had been averaging better than 200 yards per game to lead the state in rushing. But he still managed to hit 5,000 career rushing yards over his three seasons as the Lancers' starting running back. Linganore is hoping to stretch its winning streak over Thomas Johnson to 10 games. Meanwhile, the Patriots are looking to bounce back from a 22-7 home loss to Tuscarora last week.
Frederick (4-3) at Tuscarora (1-6): For the first time since October 2021, the Titans come into a game riding the momentum from a win. They dominated Thomas Johnson 22-7 on the road last week to snap a 19-game losing streak. It also handed coach Ryan Hines his first victory as the school's varsity football coach. This week, they are seeking their first win over Frederick High since 2016. The Cadets have won the last four meetings. Last week, Frederick played its best defensive game of the season, producing a pair of interceptions and otherwise corralling the Hawks in a 25-9 win on the road. Unlike previous games when it started very slowly and gave up a touchdown on the opening kickoff, Frederick had a quick start against Urbana, as junior Tyrico Morgan Jr. scored a touchdown on the Cadets' first offensive play on a 72-yard end-around. It was their second straight win and third in the last four games overall. It was also just their second win over Urbana all-time.
Brunswick (6-1) at Middletown (2-5): Once again, Brunswick will test its mettle against a team it has historically struggled against. The Railroaders hope it goes better than their last game like that two weeks ago when they were blown out at home against Walkersville, 55-16. They bounced back nicely last week with a 48-14 home win over North Hagerstown. But Middletown will provide a much more formidable challenge. Brunswick has not beaten Middletown since a 31-28 victory in 2003. The Railroaders were coached by current Middletown athletic director Kevin Lynott back then. The Knights have won the last 15 meetings. They are looking to shake off a 28-0 loss at Linganore last week.
Walkersville (3-4) at Catoctin (3-4): The Cougars are looking for their first win over Walkersville since 2013. The teams have met six times since then, with about half of the games being competitive. Last season, Walkersville rolled over the Cougars 37-0. For the most part, the Lions were able to keep things competitive last week against unbeaten Oakdale before ultimately succumbing to the Bears' big-play ability in a 41-22 home loss. Meanwhile, Catoctin got back on track with a 24-18 victory at Smithsburg, marking the Cougars' 11th straight victory over the Leopards.
3:45 p.m
Severn (4-3) at St. John's Catholic Prep (3-4): The Vikings feel they are playing their best football of the season at the moment. They have won two in a row after a 34-0 victory last Saturday in rainy and muddy conditions at Annapolis Christian. Senior running back Zion Ntemi rushed for a school-record 307 yards to lead the charge for St. John's Catholic Prep. The Vikings are 1-1 in the MIAA C Conference and now face a rematch against conference rival Severn School (2-0 MIAA C) with a share of first place on the line. In the earlier meeting on Sept. 29 at Severn, the Admirals prevailed 42-6.
1 p.m. Saturday
MSD (6-2) at Mercersburg Academy (2-2): The Orioles rattled off their sixth straight win and 23rd consecutive homecoming victory last Saturday with a 14-6 victory over rival Model. They also moved into first place in the Keystone State Football League standings for 8-man football. Zeke Ortiz was the star offensively for MSD with 147 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, while Josue Sanchez led the way on defense with 10 tackles. This week, the Orioles make the 40-mile trip to Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, to take on Mercersburg Academy. The Blue Storm lost a shootout at Delaware County Christian, 68-44, last week, which snapped their two-game winning streak.
— Greg Swatek
