Football Recap: Preston Smith's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Midland Valley over Gilbert

After flying high against Airport last Friday, Midland Valley came back down to earth. The Mustangs fell 21-14 to the Gilbert Indians on Friday. The game was a 7-7 toss-up at halftime, but the Mustangs couldn't quite close it out.

Midland Valley lost despite a true team effort on offense. The best among them was Preston Smith, who picked up 91 receiving yards and one TD, and also rushed for 64 yards.

Khyree Pollard

Total Tackles

10/10/25 vs Gilbert	7
09/26/25 @ Brookland-Cayce	6
09/19/25 vs Gray Collegiate Academy	13
09/05/25 @ Lexington	8

Midland Valley didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. In fact, those interceptions all came courtesy of defensive juggernaut Khyree Pollard. He is also on a roll when it comes to total tackles, as he's now made six or more in each of the last four games he's played. Bryston Newton was another major factor on D, forcing one fumble, making ten total tackles (3.0 for loss), and defending one pass.

Midland Valley's defeat dropped their record down to 5-2. As for Gilbert, their win ended a four-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 3-4.

Looking ahead, Midland Valley will take on Aiken at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The Mustangs are facing the Fighting Green Hornets at the right time seeing as the Fighting Green Hornets are stuck on a five-game losing streak. As for Gilbert, they will welcome Brookland-Cayce at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.