High School Football · Season Opener
Middletown shuts out Arlington to open the season
Quarterback Joseph “JoJo” Royal and a stingy Middletown defense set the tone early as the Middies roll past Arlington, 32–0, at Faller Field.
MIDDLETOWN — Middletown opened its 2026 football season with a statement Friday night, shutting out Arlington 32-0 at Faller Field.
The Middies’ defense set the tone from the opening kickoff, keeping Arlington off the scoreboard for all four quarters.
Quarterback Joseph “JoJo” Royal directed a balanced Middletown offense that kept the Arlington defense off balance from start to finish.
The win improves Middletown to 1-0 to open the season. The Middies reached the Section 9 Class AA final a year ago before falling to Monroe-Woodbury, and they’ll look to build on that run this fall.
845 Sports Rewind will be back on the sideline Thursday as Middletown travels to Cornwall Central for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
845 Sports Rewind
The line
Next up
From the game
Middletown vs Arlington, in frames
More frames from the season opener are posted to the archive as they are edited.
