Waco Midway Panthers
Head Coach: Joe Gillespie (3rd season; 16-6 record)
Last Season: 9-2; 5-1 in district (Lost to Waxahachie in bi-district)
Returning Lettermen: 27 (5 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)
Midway Key Players and Storylines
Joe Gillespie has hit the ground running at Midway, leading the Panthers to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2018-19.
One thing that is missing from those two campaigns is a district title. Last year, the Panthers came up just short to Harker Heights 24-21 in their lone district loss.
They’ll be out to rectify that this year with 11 returning starters. Among those is three-star running back Lathan Whisenton (1,502 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns), a “top five running back in Texas” in Gillespie’s opinion. When he needs a breath, the Panthers won’t drop off much either with speedy junior Jeyden Fields-Vaughn (706 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns), another Division I prospect.
20.9MPH in Game…. @LathanWhisento
Checks out @RAanalyticsSquat Heavy with Depth. Run fast. https://t.co/tVUfZzY7VS pic.twitter.com/COMpQ879dO
— Hayden Wall (@hayden_wall) December 16, 2025
In the passing attack, Hayden Brock (467 receiving yards and six touchdowns) is a threat out of the slot, while senior Charles Haas might be one of the most important pieces on the entire offense. He’ll need to be a leader as the only returning starter on the offensive line.
Defensively, linebacker Hudson King is an “impact player” in the middle of the field, while defensive end Caden Byrd (48 tackles, eight TFLs) is a three-year starter and a constant source of pressure off the edge. The back end is in good shape too with safety Carl Simmons’ nose for the football. He’s the leading returning tackler from last season (71 tackles).
With the Panthers heading into year three under Gillespie, he believes this could be the strongest team they’ve had yet in his tenure. He has loved the toughness and work ethic he’s seen from his guys. Those qualities will be big as the Panthers chase that elusive district title and a playoff win against the always difficult District 11-6A.
2026Waco Midway Panthers Football Schedule
*- Denotes District 12-6A Contest
8/27 vs. Leander Rouse @ UMHB 7:00 p.m.
9/4 @ Aledo 7:00 p.m.
9/11 vs. Cedar Park 7:00 p.m.
9/18 @ Belton 7:00 p.m
*9/25 @ Lake Belton 7:00 p.m.
*10/2 vs. Temple 7:00 p.m.
*10/9 @ Bryan 7:00 p.m.
*10/16 vs. Chaparral 7:00 p.m.
*10/23 @ Copperas Cove 7:00 p.m.
*11/5 vs. Harker Heights 7:00 p.m.
