Four minutes into the homecoming game, the first fireworks exploded, indicating a Lancer touchdown. The monumental battle between the Walkersville Owls and the Linganore Lancers at Linganore’s homecoming resulted in an almost uncontested win of 42-27. Runningback junior Joe Riddle scored two touchdowns and ran for 150 yards. Other touchdowns were scored by Senior Matt Fratto, Senior Dwayne Randall, Junior Matt Stewart, and Junior Tyler Thompson. In the last five years, Westminster has never been victorious against LHS.

Riddle, a star on JV last year, was fast. This year he has learned to control his speed to suit the play.

“I got a lot faster and know when to use my speed, and I got a lot stronger too.” says Riddle.

“They are very good, and they have thrown the ball a lot in the past. The quarterback is very good,” said Coach Conner. After being up by 21 in the first quarter, LHS allowed Westminster to score. LHs appeared to lose momentum.

Despite the challenge of facing a good team, the Lancers were excited to play on their old field once more after two years at the Oakdale building. The line to enter the game was 40-50 people deep almost through the second quarter. Many spectators sat on the “away” said.

“It’s great to be back by the corn fields, and everyone feels comfortable here,” says Senior Kyle Warholic and Tyler Thompson.

Coach Conner had to prepare his players for a team with skills at, “throwing and running the ball and a very good defense”

The previous week the team faced Winters Mill. This game ended in a 42-6 triumph. Last year’s game against Winters Mill can be remembered as resulting in a 72-6 score. Riddle ran for 81 yards and two touchdowns.

The second game was against the Walkersville Lions. The score was 35-7. This game again yielded extraordinary stats from Riddle. He rushed a total of 187 yards and scored three touchdowns. He scored the first touchdown of the game on a 67 yard run, and scored again on runs of 23 yards and 30 yards in the third and fourth quarters respectively.

The first game against Middletown resulted in a 24-6 victory. The game featured Joe Riddle rushing 180 yards and scored one touchdown against the knights. The game also featured from Senior Ryan Santmeyer who scored on runs of five and twelve yards.

The next match-up for Linganore is Silver Oak Academy at home on October 8^th. Silver Oak has a 4-1 record.

Last year the team went undefeated and went on to win the state championships, but a lot of the star players from last year’s squad graduated and left their younger counterparts to fill in the skill.

“So far so good, but we have to keep getting better to reach our goals” explains Coach Conner.