08/29/2026
Last night, we had the greatest honor and privilege of welcoming Coach Stanley Branson and Coach Glenn Wheaton, along with their families, friends, former players, and community members, to Midway High School as we celebrated the naming of Branson-Wheaton Field in their honor.
Since Midway High School opened its doors in 1947, generations of students, families, teachers, coaches, and community members have built the traditions that make Midway such a special place. Those traditions extend far beyond the walls of our school. They have been built in our classrooms, in our hallways, in our gym, and on our athletic fields.
Coach Branson and Coach Wheaton helped shape those traditions and left an impact on generations of Green Wave students and athletes. Together, their coaching tenures account for more than 47% of the entire history of Midway High School football, a remarkable testament to just how deeply their service is woven into the history of this program.
But their impact cannot simply be measured by the number of years they coached, the wins and losses recorded during those seasons, or the time they spent on the sidelines. The stories shared last night made that especially clear. All these years later, former players and students still tell their stories. They still talk about the lessons they learned, the standards that were expected of them, and the difference these two men made in their lives.
Coach Branson and Coach Wheaton were not only great coaches and educators; they are men of character. They taught young people about hard work, discipline, accountability, respect, and what it meant to be part of something bigger than themselves. What they gave to their students and athletes extended far beyond the football field or the classroom. Their influence carried into the lives of those they taught and coached, and through them, into the generations that followed.
There is an important lesson in that for all of us.
One of the greatest honors we can give these two gentlemen, who invested so much into Midway, is to make sure their contributions are never forgotten.
For generations to come, students will walk onto our field and see the names Branson and Wheaton. Some will have had the privilege of knowing them personally while others will know them only through the stories that are passed down, but no matter the generation, we will make sure they know the names Branson and Wheaton. More importantly, we want current and future generations to always know what these two names mean to Midway High School.
They represent character, service, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to students, to this school, and to this community. They represent a legacy that reaches far beyond the football field that now bears their names.
Last night, we made sure that legacy will live on.
It is always a great day to be a Green Wave!
If you were unable to attend the banquet, you may watch through SORSN.com using the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/ksOE0yBRYeQ?si=KxYzyoepBXVNfl9A
More pictures will be shared as they are received from the photographer!
