Mahoning Valley 2026 high school football: What to know about 5 teams

The 2026 high school football season in the Mahoning Valley brings new opponents, familiar rivalries and a mix of contenders and rebuilding programs.

From Girard’s playoff run to Howland’s schedule overhaul, here’s what fans need to know about five area teams heading into the fall.

Girard: Coming off a deep playoff run

Girard enters 2026 as the clear front-runner among the five programs, according to Mahoning Matters. The Indians finished 12-1 in 2025 and reached the fourth round of the Division V Region 17 playoffs.

Classified in Division V Region 17 for 2026, Girard will face three new opponents: Akron Coventry, Wheeling Linsly School of West Virginia and Pittsburgh USO (University/SciTech/Obama) of Pennsylvania. All three appear on the front end of the schedule.

Girard’s 2026 slate: - Aug. 21: Akron Coventry - Aug. 28: Wheeling Linsly School - Sept. 4: Pittsburgh USO - Sept. 11: at Struthers - Sept. 18: at Garaway - Sept. 25: at Lakeview - Oct. 2: South Range - Oct. 9: at Poland - Oct. 16: Hubbard - Oct. 23: Niles McKinley

Hubbard: Playoff team returns with two new opponents

Hubbard also brings postseason experience into 2026. The Eagles went 7-4 last year before being eliminated in the first round of the Division IV Region 13 playoffs, Mahoning Matters reported.

Hubbard remains in Division IV Region 13 for 2026 and will see two new opponents on the schedule: Warren JFK and Beaver Local.

Hubbard’s 2026 slate: - Aug. 21: at Brookfield - Aug. 28: at Warren Howland - Sept. 4: Warren JFK - Sept. 11: Niles McKinley - Sept. 18: at Poland - Sept. 25: Struthers - Oct. 2: Beaver Local - Oct. 9: at Lakeview - Oct. 16: at Girard - Oct. 23: South Range

Lakeview: Looking to bounce back in Division V

Lakeview finished 3-7 in 2025 and did not qualify for the Division V Region 17 playoffs, according to Mahoning Matters. The Bulldogs will play a familiar slate in 2026, with no new opponents on the schedule.

Lakeview stays in Division V Region 17 and opens the season Aug. 21 at home against Springfield.

Lakeview’s 2026 slate: - Aug. 21: Springfield - Aug. 28: at Crestview - Sept. 4: at Jefferson - Sept. 11: at South Range - Sept. 18: at Niles - Sept. 25: Girard - Oct. 2: at Struthers - Oct. 9: Hubbard - Oct. 16: Poland - Oct. 23: Beaver Local

Struthers: Rebuilding in Division IV

Struthers is working to rebound from a 2-8 finish in 2025 that kept the Wildcats out of the Division IV playoffs, Mahoning Matters reported. The program moves forward in Division IV Region 13 for 2026 and adds Warren JFK and University School as new opponents.

Struthers’ 2026 slate: - Aug. 21: NDCL - Aug. 28: at Warren JFK - Sept. 4: at West Branch - Sept. 11: Girard - Sept. 18: at South Range - Sept. 25: at Hubbard - Oct. 2: Lakeview - Oct. 9: at University School - Oct. 16: at Niles McKinley - Oct. 23: Poland

Howland: Four new opponents on 2026 slate

Howland has the most substantially reworked schedule of the group. The Tigers went 2-8 in 2025 and missed the Division III Region 9 playoffs, according to Mahoning Matters.

Classified in Division III Region 9 for 2026, Howland adds four new opponents: Alliance, Minerva, East Cleveland Shaw and Salem. The Tigers open earlier than most area teams, kicking off Aug. 20 against Niles McKinley.

Howland’s 2026 slate: - Aug. 20: Niles McKinley - Aug. 28: Hubbard - Sept. 4: at East Cleveland Shaw - Sept. 11: at West Branch - Sept. 18: at Carrollton - Sept. 25: Marlington - Oct. 2: at Alliance - Oct. 9: Salem - Oct. 16: Minerva - Oct. 23: University School

Rivalries to watch

Several matchups on these schedules will draw extra attention across the Valley. Girard travels to Struthers on Sept. 11 and to Lakeview on Sept. 25, part of a stretch of division play that could shape the Division V Region 17 picture. Hubbard visits Girard on Oct. 16 in what may be one of the season’s biggest local games, given both programs’ recent playoff appearances.

Hubbard and Struthers meet Sept. 25 in Hubbard, while Lakeview travels to Struthers on Oct. 2. Howland and Hubbard face off Aug. 28 in a nonconference crossover between Division III and Division IV programs.

With three teams — Girard, Struthers and Lakeview — sharing division play in Region 17 and Hubbard and Struthers competing in Region 13, the standings will develop across overlapping schedules through October.

All photos by Mahoning Valley Sports