** EPISODE CHANGE **

THANKS TO AN AWKWARD SCHEDULING ANOMALY, FRANKIE AND MIKE MUST CHOOSE WHICH OF THEM IS GOING TO PROUDLY WALK AXL ONTO THE FIELD DURING HOMECOMING -- NOW THAT HE'S MADE THE VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM -- AND WHICH WILL PATIENTLY WAIT FOR SUE TO STAGGER OVER THE FINISH LINE AT HER FIRST CROSS-COUNTRY MEET, ON ABC'S "THE MIDDLE"

"Homecoming" - Axl has just made the varsity football team, much to Frankie's delight, and she looks forward to a life-long dream of dressing up and walking him out on the field with Mike during homecoming. However, when she learns that Sue's first cross-country meet is the same day, Frankie and Mike must each make a Sophie's Choice-like decision on which kid's activity to attend. Meanwhile, Mike gets Brick to rake up the leaves in the yard but is thrown when, instead of taking them to the dump, Brick wants to set them free in the forest, on "The Middle," FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8 (8:30-9:000 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 9/29/10)

Note: This episode replaces "Back to School," which moves to Oct. 1.

"The Middle" stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue, Atticus Shaffer as Brick and Chris Kattan as Bob.

Guest starring are Brian Doyle-Murray as Mr. Ehlert, Greg Cromer as Coach Emerson, Beau Wirick as Sean Donahue and John Gammon as Darrin.

"Homecoming" was written by Rob Ulin and directed by Ken Whittingham.

"The Middle" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG,L parental guideline.

For more information on "The Middle," visit ABC.com