Local

Mahoning Valley teams gear up for 2026 football. Here's what to know

By Edited by Jessica Payne. Produced with AI assistance.

June 23, 2026 10:00 AM

Austintown Fitch, Boardman and Warren Harding have released their 2026 football schedules, all competing in Division II Region 5.

The three programs enter the new season with very different momentum coming off 2025.

Austintown Fitch, Boardman and Warren Harding released their 2026 Division II Region 5 schedules, with key matchups, new opponents and season openers on Aug. 21. Mahoning Valley Sports

Here are key takeaways:

Austintown Fitch is coming off a 9-2 finish in 2025 that included a second-round appearance in the Division II Region 5 playoffs, setting the Falcons up as the most successful of the three local programs entering 2026.
Fitch will face three new opponents in 2026, including Butler (Pa.), Maple Heights and Bethel Park (Pa.), with the season opening Aug. 21 at home against Hudson.
Boardman finished 2025 at 6-6 but still reached the second round of the D2 Region 5 playoffs, and the Spartans will also compete in Division II Region 5 in 2026.
Boardman’s 2026 slate adds five new opponents — Youngstown, Youngstown Liberty, Louisville, Erie McDowell and SVSM — with the season kicking off Aug. 21 at home against Youngstown.
Warren Harding had the toughest 2025 of the three teams, posting a 3-6 record and failing to qualify for the Division II playoffs.
The Raiders open 2026 on the road at Canton McKinley on Aug. 21 and will face new opponents Youngstown, Massillon Jackson and Toledo Scott during the regular season.
All three programs will meet during the regular season, with Fitch hosting Boardman on Oct. 16 and Warren Harding on Oct. 23 to close out the schedule.

All photos by Mahoning Valley Sports

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.