2026 Team Preview: The Middletown Blue Raiders

Tagged under: District 3, News, Team Previews

Cody Brady | August 24, 2026

The Middletown Blue Raiders

Head Coach: JJ Ortiz

PIAA District 3

Class 4A

Mid Penn Conference

2025 Season Record: 6-6

middletown 26 by PAFootball Newsdotcom

Season Outlook

We bring back a strong nucleus of skill position players from last year’s team. We will be led up front by a couple of with varying levels of experience. We will need our experienced players to step up and make plays, consistently be physical, tough, and disciplined to achieve our team goals.

Key Starters Lost

Nickayus Zenon,
George Hartwick;
Elijah Einzig

Returning Starters

Gavin Paul, RB/LB, 5’11, 195 lbs, Senior;
James Queen, WR/DB, 6’3, 180 lbs, Senior;
Genesisia Ross, WR/DB, 5’10, 165 lbs, Senior;
Avery Waites, OL/DL, 5’10, 265 lbs, Senior;
Devon Merrit-O’Rourke, OL/DL, 5’10, 250 lbs, Senior;
Harrison Ortiz, QB, 6’2, 190 lbs, Junior;
Jacob Pomraning, FB/LB, 5’11, 180 lbs, Junior

Key Newcomers 

Ben Nordai, Safety;
Niko Koser, OL;
Carson Reigle, OL;
Jameson Kupp, OL

2026 Schedule

	08-22 10:00 am	@ Schuylkill Valley (0-0)	Scrimmage	–
	08-28 7:00 pm	vs. Twin Valley (0-0)		–
	09-04 7:00 pm	@ York Suburban (0-0)		–
	09-11 7:00 pm	vs. Juniata (0-0)	League Game	–
	09-19 1:30 pm	@ Milton Hershey (0-0)	Division Game / League Game	–
	09-25 7:00 pm	vs. Trinity (0-0)	Division Game / League Game	–
	10-02 7:00 pm	@ East Pennsboro (0-0)	Division Game / League Game	–
	10-09 7:00 pm	@ West Perry (0-0)	Division Game / League Game	–
	10-17 2:00 pm	vs. Susquehanna Township (0-0)	Division Game / League Game	–
	10-23 7:00 pm	vs. Boiling Springs (0-0)	Division Game / League Game	–
	10-30 7:00 pm	@ Greencastle-Antrim (0-0)	Division Game / League Game	–