Midland High found a passing rhythm after halftime in its opener. The problem was everything that rhythm could not fix.
The Bulldogs rushed for only 69 yards on 27 attempts, struggled to get off the field on key downs and lost 31-17 to El Paso Pebble Hills. Friday’s trip to Keller raises the degree of difficulty: the Indians opened with a 55-14 win over Burleson and did not ask their quarterback to throw an incompletion.
Matt McCroskey completed all 13 of his passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns in Keller’s opener. Bryce Fonteno rushed for 100 yards and two scores, while Rhett Crosby had 107 receiving yards and a touchdown. It was an efficient, balanced performance that leaves Midland little room for the uneven stretches that defined Week 1.
The Bulldogs do have a promising base in junior quarterback Holt Howard. In his first official game running Midland’s newly installed spread offense, Howard completed 19 of 27 passes for 192 yards. He went 11-for-13 after halftime and directed both Midland touchdown drives, adding a rushing score.
Walker Campbell caught nine passes for 105 yards, and Devin Rodriquez had seven receptions for 74 yards in addition to seven rushing yards from the quarterback position. Together they accounted for more than 70% of the Bulldogs’ yards from scrimmage.
That concentration tells Keller where the first threat lies, and it underlines why Midland needs more from the run game. Evan Taylor gives the Bulldogs a capable back, but neither personnel nor scheme can compensate if the offensive line does not create more usable space. A credible run threat would keep Midland out of obvious passing downs and give Howard the tempo that emerged only after the Bulldogs fell behind.
Keller also presents a defensive problem. Junior linebacker Kaiden McCauley is a heavily recruited presence in the middle of a unit that helped the Indians build a 41-point margin in Week 1. Midland cannot count on simply spreading the field and letting Howard repeatedly find Campbell and Rodriquez.
The Bulldogs’ defense showed stretches of solid play against Pebble Hills, including a scoreless second quarter. Linebacker Marshall Woodside made a team-high 12 tackles, all solo, and added a tackle for loss. Nathaniel Urias recorded two tackles for loss, while Luke Anderson had Midland’s only sack.
The decisive issue was situational defense. Pebble Hills converted damaging third and fourth downs in the second half. Against a quarterback who was perfect in Week 1 and a 100-yard rusher beside him, Midland must create negative plays early in series and avoid letting Keller choose freely between the run and pass.
Special teams gave Midland one useful spark in the opener. Cade Rylander’s 25-yard punt return helped set up Rylan Marino’s 32-yard field goal. Field position could matter even more on the road if the Bulldogs can turn Keller’s drives into punts.
Friday is a quick measure of how much Midland can clean up in one week. The opener showed that Howard can distribute the ball and that the defense has playmakers. Keller will test whether those pieces can function together for four quarters.
WHAT TO WATCH
- Midland’s rushing efficiency after averaging 2.6 yards per attempt in Week 1.
- Third- and fourth-down defense against a Keller offense that was nearly flawless in its opener.
- Whether Campbell and Rodriquez can remain productive when Keller can build its coverage plan around them.
GAME INFORMATION
- Teams: Midland High Bulldogs (0-1) at Keller Indians (1-0)
- Date: Friday, Sept. 4, 2026
- Kickoff: 7 p.m.
- Location: Keller ISD Athletic Complex, Keller
The Bulldogs rushed for only 69 yards on 27 attempts, struggled to get off the field on key downs and lost 31-17 to El Paso Pebble Hills. Friday’s trip to Keller raises the degree of difficulty: the Indians opened with a 55-14 win over Burleson and did not ask their quarterback to throw an incompletion.
Matt McCroskey completed all 13 of his passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns in Keller’s opener. Bryce Fonteno rushed for 100 yards and two scores, while Rhett Crosby had 107 receiving yards and a touchdown. It was an efficient, balanced performance that leaves Midland little room for the uneven stretches that defined Week 1.
The Bulldogs do have a promising base in junior quarterback Holt Howard. In his first official game running Midland’s newly installed spread offense, Howard completed 19 of 27 passes for 192 yards. He went 11-for-13 after halftime and directed both Midland touchdown drives, adding a rushing score.
Walker Campbell caught nine passes for 105 yards, and Devin Rodriquez had seven receptions for 74 yards in addition to seven rushing yards from the quarterback position. Together they accounted for more than 70% of the Bulldogs’ yards from scrimmage.
That concentration tells Keller where the first threat lies, and it underlines why Midland needs more from the run game. Evan Taylor gives the Bulldogs a capable back, but neither personnel nor scheme can compensate if the offensive line does not create more usable space. A credible run threat would keep Midland out of obvious passing downs and give Howard the tempo that emerged only after the Bulldogs fell behind.
Keller also presents a defensive problem. Junior linebacker Kaiden McCauley is a heavily recruited presence in the middle of a unit that helped the Indians build a 41-point margin in Week 1. Midland cannot count on simply spreading the field and letting Howard repeatedly find Campbell and Rodriquez.
The Bulldogs’ defense showed stretches of solid play against Pebble Hills, including a scoreless second quarter. Linebacker Marshall Woodside made a team-high 12 tackles, all solo, and added a tackle for loss. Nathaniel Urias recorded two tackles for loss, while Luke Anderson had Midland’s only sack.
The decisive issue was situational defense. Pebble Hills converted damaging third and fourth downs in the second half. Against a quarterback who was perfect in Week 1 and a 100-yard rusher beside him, Midland must create negative plays early in series and avoid letting Keller choose freely between the run and pass.
Special teams gave Midland one useful spark in the opener. Cade Rylander’s 25-yard punt return helped set up Rylan Marino’s 32-yard field goal. Field position could matter even more on the road if the Bulldogs can turn Keller’s drives into punts.
Friday is a quick measure of how much Midland can clean up in one week. The opener showed that Howard can distribute the ball and that the defense has playmakers. Keller will test whether those pieces can function together for four quarters.
WHAT TO WATCH
- Midland’s rushing efficiency after averaging 2.6 yards per attempt in Week 1.
- Third- and fourth-down defense against a Keller offense that was nearly flawless in its opener.
- Whether Campbell and Rodriquez can remain productive when Keller can build its coverage plan around them.
GAME INFORMATION
- Teams: Midland High Bulldogs (0-1) at Keller Indians (1-0)
- Date: Friday, Sept. 4, 2026
- Kickoff: 7 p.m.
- Location: Keller ISD Athletic Complex, Keller
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