Midlakes Returns High Production

Program Outlook

Midlakes enters the 2026 season in Class D following a strong 14–4 campaign in 2025. The Eagles combined consistent scoring with a solid defensive profile, advancing into sectional play and competing deep into the postseason. Despite graduating seven seniors, Midlakes brings back the bulk of its production, giving the program continuity as it prepares for another full schedule.

Coaching Continuity

John Hicks returns for his third season as head coach at Midlakes. His record at the school stands at 14–4, while his overall scholastic record is 40–30. With a full season in the program completed, Hicks leads a roster that is largely familiar with his approach and returns significant experience across all position groups. He is looking forward to the season. "Even though we have lost some key seniors our young guys have worked hard this off season and look forward to competing this season against some great teams. This group plays for each other and that’s what it’s all about."

Roster Overview

Midlakes graduated seven seniors, most of whom played on the defensive side of the ball, including several All-League honorees. The 2026 roster includes seven rising seniors, seven juniors, and one sophomore. That makeup maintains balance throughout the lineup, with many returning players having filled key roles during last season’s run.

Returning Award Winners

A large group of returning players earned postseason recognition in 2025. Brendan Baldwin returns after a 28-goal, 24-assist season that earned him First Team All-League Midfield honors and a spot on the Section 5 Class D All-Tournament Team. Nate Lathrop also returns following a 46-goal, 41-assist campaign and All-League First Team Attack recognition. James Sprague is back after earning Finger Lakes Midfielder Player of the Year honors with 45 goals and 44 assists. In goal, Stuart Quku returns after recording 210 saves and earning All-League First Team Goalie honors. Additional returning All-League contributors include Carter Casper, Walker Landschoot, Kaden Guillaume, Jacob Middlebrook, and Duke Vansavage, giving Midlakes experienced depth across the field.

Statistical Overview

In 2025, Midlakes scored 254 goals while allowing 133, averaging 14.1 goals per game and 7.4 goals against. The Eagles return 219 goals, accounting for 86 percent of last season’s total, and 168 assists, representing 97 percent of their assist production. Midlakes recorded 13 wins by five or more goals and played three games decided within five goals, including one one-goal loss.

Games This Year

The 2026 schedule features a blend of league and non-league contests. League games, designated as FLW matchups, include meetings with Gananda, Waterloo, Marcus Whitman, Mynderse-Romulus, and Bloomfield-Honeoye. These games will be key benchmarks within league play. The remainder of the schedule consists of NL games against teams such as Geneva, HFL, Pal-Mac, East United-Eastridge, Wayne, and Livonia-Avon-Geneseo.

Season Focus

With most of its scoring and nearly all of its assist production returning, Midlakes enters the season focused on maintaining consistency and building on last year’s success. Experience, depth, and continuity provide a clear foundation as the Eagles open the 2026 campaign.

Preseason stories are based on information from SportsFive.NET databases and coaches.

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