MIDLAND — Midland High opens Thursday on the road at East Lansing, 7 p.m. at Lynn C. Adams Stadium, after a 4-5 season.
MHSAA lists Midland High enrollment 1059, Class A, Division 2. Tyler Wellman is in his third season after a 9-2 debut in 2024; he called the three-game road start a "one-year challenge."
Wellman told the Midland Daily News: "At this point, the kids are just excited to play some outstanding programs at the beginning of the year."
The road stretch continues at Zeeland West on Sept. 4 and Bay City Western on Sept. 11 before the home opener vs. Bay City Central on Sept. 18.
Last fall Midland went 2-4 in the SVL North and 4-5 overall, missing the playoffs; Wellman's first year was 9-2, 6-0 SVL Blue, with a district final appearance.
WNEM reports 20 seniors, and that 2025 was the program's first losing season in four years.
Houze told WNEM: "I feel like we're all buying into the system. We're practicing hard, effort, we don't have to talk about effort. We're all doing what we need to do. I feel like the rest is going to take care of itself."
Senior Taber Benner is the quarterback. Senior L.J. Gallihugh is a third-year starting running back and Daily News Dream Team pick with 715 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns plus 19 catches for 289 yards and 3 scores. Left tackle Jake Faccio started every game and allowed no sacks.
Also back: D.J. Haynes, Houze, Zane Fath and Hunter Volze.
Wellman: "We've got a lot of speed and some impactful juniors at the skill positions, and we want to highlight that more this year."
The crosstown finale is Oct. 23 at Midland High at 7 p.m.; the Chemics lead the series 43-19, and Dow won 34-7 last Oct. 24. Wellman called Mount Pleasant and Dow the teams to beat in the Valley North.
Sources: [MHSAA](https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/midland), [OurMidland](https://www.ourmidland.com/sports/highschool/article/chemics-hoping-explosive-2026-22396494.php), [WNEM](https://www.wnem.com/2026/08/20/midland-high-features-hungry-experienced-senior-class-ready-make-run/).
