WEST JUNIUS – Accountability.
That’s the motto for this year’s Midlakes football team.
One varsity season remains before the Screaming Eagles merge completely with Red Jacket. This group, coach Bruce Wagner said, is determined to make it count.
“Arriving at practice on time, listening in the huddle, knowing the playbook… you need to be accountable for all that,” Wagner said. “This team is starting to grasp it.”
Although youth marks Midlakes’ roster, its seniors hope to write one more meaningful chapter in the Screaming Eagles history book. Numbers at the modified level – already co-operating with Red Jacket – provide optimism for the future.
Senior linebacker Jorge Garcia headlines Midlakes’ group of returners. Michael Coleman, a junior, will lead
the linemen amidst an ongoing battle for the starting quarterback position.
“(Garcia) is a guy that teams have to know where he is at all times,” Wagner said. “He’s just an athlete, strong and fast.”
Wagner hopes that, if his team “controls what we can” each day, wins will be plentiful.
Midlakes football at a glance
- Head coach: Bruce Wagner (2nd year)
- Classification: C
- Last season’s record: 4-4 (no playoffs)
- Last Section V championship: 1996
Watch New York HS football games on NFHS Network
Midlakes football schedule for 2026 season
- Friday, Sept. 4: vs. Wellsville/Genesee Valley/Belfast, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 12: at Penn Yann/Dundee, 1 p.m. (at Dundee)
- Friday, Sept. 18: vs. Newark/Marion, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 26: vs. Waterloo, 6 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 2: at Lyons/Sodus, 7 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 9: vs. Palmyra-Macedon, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 17: at Red Jacket, 1 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 23: at Marcus Whitman/Bloomfield, 7 p.m.
Midlakes top returning players
Junior OL/DL Michael Coleman, junior QB/LB Finn Damann, senior OL/LB Jorge Garcia, junior RB/LB Cevin Martinez, senior WR/DB Marcus Tookes
Marquee matchups for Midlakes
All eyes are on Oct. 17, when Midlakes will visit rival Red Jacket for the programs' final varsity meeting before their 2027 consolidation. Midlakes' Sept. 26 Homecoming game versus Waterloo has also drawn attention from players.
Jeff Uveino joined the USA Today Network in 2023 and began covering Rochester-area high school sports in 2026. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University's Jandoli School of Communication and native of Perry. Contact him at juveino@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @realjuveino and on Instagram @jeffusports.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Midlakes football aims to make final standalone season count
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
