Midland Bulldogs
Head Coach: Thad Fortune (6th season; 26-28 record)
Last Season: 3-7; 1-4 in district
Returning Lettermen: 19 (2 returning starters on offense; 3 on defense)
Midland Key Players and Storylines
Midland missed the playoffs for the first time in three years in 2025, but the Bulldogs weren’t far off from punching a ticket. Three of their four district losses were by 12 points or less. Out of district, they also had two more losses by just one point apiece.
The only thing is many of the players from that team are gone. Just five starters return. Junior quarterback Holt Howard (294 passing yards, 232 rushing yards) will get the keys to the offense this year. He started the final three games of last season, showcasing his dual threat ability. He’ll have some options at the skill positions. Junior receiver Walker Campbell is “looking for a breakout year,” while Devin Rodriguez and MJ Washington are both outstanding cornerbacks who will likely play both ways this year.
Up front, 6’2”, 270-pound senior Jesus Garcia will anchor the offensive line after earning an all-district honorable mention last year.
Defensively, the secondary will be the strength with the aforementioned Rodriguez (43 tackles) and Washington (18 tackles). The Bulldogs also have a stud at safety in Carson Ham (68 tackles, seven INTs).
Pre district stats (5 games):
5 interceptions
5 PBU’s
31 tackles
1 TFL pic.twitter.com/zCKOed0R1u— Carson Ham (@Carson1Ham) October 11, 2025
It will take Midland some work to reload after losing 35 lettermen. However, in a six-team district, there are plenty of opportunities for the Bulldogs to make a playoff push in the closing weeks of the season.
Midland 2026 Schedule
*- Denotes District 2-6A Contest
August 28 vs. El Paso Pebble Hills 7:00 P.M.
September 4 @ Keller 7:00 P.M.
September 11 vs. Amarillo 7:00 P.M.
September 18 @ Bastrop 7:00 P.M.
September 24 vs. Harlingen (@ Boerne) 6:00 P.M.
October 2. Vs. Red Bluff (CA) 8:00 P.M.
*October 9 @ Odessa 7:30 P.M.
*October 23 vs. Permian 7:30 P.M.
*October 30 @ San Angelo Central 7:30 P.M.
*November 6 vs. Midland Lee 7:30 P.M.
