MORGANTOWN – The annual Mohawk Bowl football game, featuring a matchup between Morgantown High School and University High School, will showcase a unique halftime performance on October 20, 2025. Scheduled for 19:00 at Baker’s Ridge, the event will see the rival schools’ marching bands come together to create a joint performance, highlighting the spirit of community amid competition.
Both schools boast impressive marching bands, each with over 100 members. When united, they form a collective ensemble of more than 250 musicians. This collaboration aims to present a celebratory display of music, demonstrating the role of the arts in school spirit and athletics.
Mark Palmer, the band director at University High School since 2000, expressed enthusiasm for the event, noting, “We’ve done this maybe four times during my tenure. It’s a great opportunity for us to show the other side of the Mohawk rivalry and see how the two schools work together to create our wonderful community in Morgantown.”
Morgantown’s band director, Lorne Hyskell, shared similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of showcasing the talent within the local music community. “These are two really great bands from our state coming together to showcase what we have here in Mon County,” he stated. “While we’ve got two great football teams out there on the field playing hard to win the game, we also have two really great bands that are going to join together and try to do the best we can to entertain the crowd a bit.”
The collaborative practice held on Wednesday at University High School allowed band members to refine their performance. The halftime show will feature a medley of songs infused with a Halloween theme, culminating in a performance of Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller.” Hyskell hinted at a surprise for the audience that aligns with the spooky Halloween spirit. “Our last song will be Thriller for the Halloween theme, and then we have a bit of a surprise picture with that at the end for the audience,” he said.
As the Mohawk Bowl approaches, excitement builds both on the field and in the stands. Fans are encouraged to remain seated during halftime to fully enjoy this special collaboration between two rival schools, showcasing not only their competitive spirit but also their ability to unite through music. The performance promises to be a highlight of the evening, reinforcing the community values that both Morgantown and University High School hold dear.
