OHSAA Northeast Region athletic conferences

This is a list of high school athletic conferences in the Northeast Region of Ohio, as defined by the OHSAA.[1] Because the names of localities and their corresponding high schools do not always match and because there is often a possibility of ambiguity with respect to either the name of a locality or the name of a high school, the following table gives both in every case, with the locality name first, in plain type, and the high school name second in boldface type. The school's team nickname is given last.

Akron City Series

Former members

  • Akron Central Wildcats (1915-1970, consolidated into Central-Hower)
  • Akron Central-Hower Eagles (1970-2006, closed)
  • Akron Hower Buccaneers (1927-1970, consolidated into Central-Hower)
  • Akron Kenmore Cardinals (1929-2017, consolidated into Kenmore–Garfield)
  • Akron South Cavaliers or Big Blue (1915-1980, closed)
  • Akron West Cowboys (1915-1953, closed)

All-American Conference

  • Austintown-Fitch Falcons (2011- [Independent in Football)
  • Youngstown Boardman Spartans (2014- [Independent in Football)
  • Canfield Cardinals (2008-[Independent in Football)
  • Warren Howland Tigers (2008- [Independent in Football)
  • Warren G. Harding Raiders (2014-[Independent in Football)

Future Members

Former members

  • Salem Quakers (2008–2011, to Northeastern Buckeye Conference) White Division 2008–11.
  • Lisbon Beaver Local Beavers (played concurrently in OVAC, 2008–2013, to Buckeye 8 Athletic League) Red Division 2008–11, American Division 2011–13.
  • Girard Indians (2008-2018, to Northeast 8 Conference)
  • Hubbard Eagles (2008-2018, to Northeast 8 Conference)
  • Jefferson Area Falcons (2011-2018, to Northeast 8 Conference)
  • Cortland Lakeview Bulldogs (2008-2018, to Northeast 8 Conference)
  • Niles McKinley Red Dragons (2008-2018, to Northeast 8 Conference)
  • Poland Poland Seminary Bulldogs (2008-2018, to Northeast 8 Conference)
  • Struthers Wildcats (2008-2018), to Northeast 8 Conference)
  • Ashtabula Edgewood Warriors (2014-2019, to Chagrin Valley Conference)
  • Ashtabula Lakeside Dragons (2015-2019, to Chagrin Valley Conference)
  • Youngstown East Golden Bears (2014-19, to Steel Valley Conference)
  • Brookfield Warriors (2014-2020, to Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)
  • Campbell Memorial Red Devils (2008-2020, to Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)
  • Champion Golden Flashes (2008-2020, to Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)
  • Columbiana Crestview Rebels (2019-2020, to Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)
  • Leavittsburg LaBrae Vikings (2008-2020, to Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)
  • Liberty Leopards (2008-2020, to Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)
  • Newton Falls Tigers (2008-2020, to Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)
  • Warren Howland Tigers Football, 2008-2026 to Eastern Buckeye Conference)

Chagrin Valley Conference

Chagrin Division

  • Gates Mills Hawken Hawks (1996-)
  • Rocky River Lutheran West Longhorns (2019-)
  • Painesville Harvey Red Raiders (2009-)
  • Pepper Pike Orange Lions (1964-1996, 1998-)1
  • Perry Pirates (1996-)
  • Chesterland West Geauga Wolverines (1963-1996, 1998-)1

Metro Division

Valley Division

Lake Division

Former members

  • Aurora Greenmen (1964-1983, to East Suburban, 1996–2015, to Suburban)
  • Middlefield Cardinal Huskies (1996-2025, to Northeastern Athletic Conference)
  • Chardon Hilltoppers (1964-1980, to East Suburban, 1983–1996, to Premier Athletic Conference 1998)
  • Fairport Harbor Fairport Harding Skippers (2005-2020)
  • Bainbridge Kenston Bombers (1964-1996, to Western Reserve, 2005–2015, to Western Reserve)
  • Newbury Black Knights (1998-2014, to Northeastern Athletic Conference; school closed in 2020)
  • Solon Comets (1964-1996, to Western Reserve)
  • Twinsburg Tigers (1964-1996, to Western Reserve)
  • Orwell Grand Valley Mustangs (1998-2009, 2019-2024) to Northeastern Athletic Conference)

Future Members

  • Chardon Hilltopers (1964-1980; 1983-1996; 1998; 2026)
  • Fairport Harding (2005-2020; 2026)
  • North Rangers (2026)
  • South Rebels (2026)

Cleveland Senate Athletic League

Former members

  • Cleveland Aviation Thunderbirds (1965–95)
  • Cleveland Benedictine Bengals (1936–72)
  • Cleveland Cathedral Latin Lions (1936–67)
  • Cleveland Central Trojans (1904–52)
  • Cleveland East Blue Bombers (1904-2010)
  • Parma Heights Holy Name Green Wave (1936–67)
  • Cleveland Lincoln Wolverines (1936–70)
  • Cleveland St. Ignatius Wildcats (1936–67)
  • Cleveland South Flyers (1904-2010)
  • Cleveland West Cowboys (1904–61)
  • Cleveland West Technical Warriors (1904–95)
  • Cleveland Whitney M. Young Warriors (2004-2018)

Cleveland West Conference

Eastern Buckeye Conference

The Eastern Conference was originally created in 1989 as the Northeastern Buckeye Conference, in 2015, talks of folding the conference began to escape the powerhouse Louisville. The original conference would fold following the 2016-17 school year. The conference was recreated in 2018 as the Eastern Buckeye Conference.[2]

Former Members

Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference

The Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference league was formed after the Inter-Tri County League split into two separate conferences for the 2017–18 school year.

Former Members

  • Toronto Red Knights (2017–2019, concurrent with OVAC)

Federal League

  • Canton McKinley Bulldogs (2003– Football 2004-)
  • Plain GlenOak Golden Eagles (1975–)
  • Green Bulldogs (2015-)
  • Jackson Polar Bears (1964–)
  • Lake Blue Streaks (1987–)
  • North Canton Hoover Vikings (1968–)
  • Perry Panthers (1964–)

Former members

  • Canton South Wildcats (1964–1990, to Northeastern Buckeye)
  • Navarre Fairless Falcons (1964–1976, to All-Ohio)
  • Canton Glenwood Eagles (1964–1975, consolidated into GlenOak)
  • Lexington Marlington Dukes (1964–1985, to Senate)
  • Magnolia Sandy Valley Cardinals (1964–1968, to Senate)
  • Louisville Leopards (1968–1990, to Northeastern Buckeye)
  • Canton Oakwood Golden Raiders (1968–1975, consolidated into GlenOak)
  • Alliance Aviators (1983–2003, to Metro Athletic)
  • New Philadelphia Quakers (1987–1997, to East Central Ohio)
  • Canton Timken Trojans (1987–1995)
  • Wooster Generals (1987–2003, to Ohio Cardinal)
  • Austintown-Fitch Falcons (2003–2011, to All-American football 2004-2011)
  • Boardman Spartans (2003–2012, football 2004-2014)

Great Lakes League (ice hockey)

Ice hockey only league. see [1]

Greater Cleveland Conference

This conference has two incarnations. The first version lasted until 1998, and the second was begun by remaining members of the Northeast Ohio Conference in 2015.

Independents

Lorain County League/Conference

The Lorain County League began in the 2019-20 school year.

Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference

The Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference was formed after the Inter-Tri County League split into two separate conferences for the 2017–18 school year. In 2020, the former Blue tier of the All-American Conference joined to create a new Grey tier.

Map of the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference's members.

Grey Tier

Scarlet Tier

Metro Athletic Conference

Future Members

North Coast Conference

OHSAA Northeast Region athletic conferences
AssociationOHSAA
Founded2023
Sports fielded
  • 10
    • men's: 10
    • women's: 9
No. of teams7
RegionOhio

The North Coast Conference is a high school athletic conference for private schools in Greater Cleveland, Ohio. The conference began play in the 2024–25 school year.[3]


School Nickname Location Colors Tenure Notes
Beaumont School Bluestreaks Cleveland Hts. Blue & White
   
2024– Girls' sports only
Benedictine Bengals Cleveland Columbia Blue & White
   
2025- Boys' sports only. Benedictine will not join the league for football until 2027.
Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy Royals Cuyahoga Falls Blue & White
   
2024–
Elyria Catholic High School Panthers Elyria Green & White
   
2024–
Holy Name High School Green Wave Parma Hts. Green & White
   
2024–
Lake Catholic High School Cougars Mentor Forest Green & Gray
   
2024–
Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School Lions Chardon Blue & Gold
   
2024–
Padua Franciscan High School Bruins Parma Brown & White
   
2024–

Future members

School Nickname Location Colors Tenure Notes
Lutheran West Longhorns Rocky River Red & White
   
2027–

Northeast 8 Athletic Conference

Former members

Northeastern Athletic Conference

Football only members

Former members

  • Cleveland Heights Lutheran East Falcons (2009–2012 football only; moved to freelance)
  • Thompson Ledgemont Redskins (2008–2015; school closed)
  • Newbury Black Knights (2014–2020; school closed)

Future members

  • Leetonia Bears (2026)

Northern 8 Football Conference

Former members

Principals Athletic Conference

Also known as PAC-7

Future Member

  • Coventry Comets (1989-95; 2001-05; 2026-)

Former Members

Southwestern Conference

Former members

  • Berea Braves (1937–1950, to Greater Cleveland, 2005–13, consolidated into Berea-Midpark)
  • Oberlin Indians (1937–1964, to Lakeland)
  • Rocky River Pirates (1937–2005, to West Shore)
  • Fairview Warriors (1940–2005, to West Shore)
  • Lorain Clearview Clippers (1945–1954, to Lakeland)
  • Wellington Dukes (1945–1954, to Lakeland)
  • Medina Bees (1947–1986, to Pioneer)
  • Bay Rockets (1954–2005, to West Shore)
  • Brecksville-Broadview Heights Bees (2005-2015, to Suburban)
  • Middleburg Heights and Brook Park Midpark Meteors (2005-2013, consolidated into Berea-Midpark)
  • Lakewood Rangers (2015-2020, to Great Lakes)
  • North Olmsted Eagles (1954-2021 to Great Lakes
  • Westlake Demons (1954-2021 to Great Lakes)

Suburban League

American Division

National Division

Future members

Former members

  • Green Bulldogs (1949–2015, to Federal)
  • New Franklin Manchester Panthers (1949–1976, to All-Ohio)
  • Mogadore Wildcats (1957–1968, to Portage County)
  • Cuyahoga Falls Woodridge Bulldogs (1957–1978, to Portage County)
  • Coventry Comets (1969–1983, to All-Ohio)
  • Norton Panthers (1972–2005, to Portage Trail-Metro)
  • Brimfield Field Falcons (1978–1990, to Portage County)
  • Westfield Cloverleaf Colts (1997–2015, to Portage Trail-Metro)

United Athletic Conference (2026)

The United Athletic Conference will begin conference play in the 2026-27 school year, with several independent schools joining the conference[4]

Wayne County Athletic League

Former members

  • Apple Creek Aces (1924–1955, consolidated into Waynedale)
  • Big Prairie Bobcats (1924–1937, to Holmes County League)
  • Burbank Bombers (1924–1953, consolidated into Norwayne)
  • Chester Pups (1924–1951, consolidated into Northwestern)
  • Congress Senators (1924–1951, consolidated into Northwestern)
  • Creston Panthers (1924–1951, consolidated into Norwayne)
  • Fredericksburg Freddies (1924–1955, consolidated into Waynedale)
  • Marshallville Tigers (1924–1938, consolidated into Dalton, transferred to Smithville 1955)
  • Mount Eaton Paint Township Pirates (1924–1955, consolidated into Waynedale)
  • Shreve Trojans (1924–1963, consolidated into Triway)
  • Sterling Eagles (1924–1953, consolidated into Norwayne)
  • West Salem Clippers (1924–1951, consolidated into Northwestern)
  • Wooster Triway Titans (1963–1970, to Chippewa Conference)

Western Reserve Conference

Main article: Western Reserve Conference

the Western Reserve Conference is an OHSAA Athletic Conference that formed in 2015. The league is set to dissolve following the 2025-26 school year.

  • Chardon Hilltoppers (2015–2026)
  • Auburn/Bainbridge Kenston Bombers (2015–2026)
  • Mayfield Wildcats (2015–2026)
  • Eastlake North Rangers (2015–2026)
  • Painesville Riverside Beavers (2015–2026)
  • Willoughby South Rebels (2015–2026)

Defunct conferences

See also

Notes and references

  1. ^ "Ohio High School Athletic Association Web site". OHSAA. Retrieved December 31, 2006.
  2. ^ Scalzo, Joe. "Northeastern Buckeye Conference could disband to oust Louisville". Canton Repository. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  3. ^ Kampf, John (May 31, 2023). "North Coast Conference announced, will begin play in 2024–25". The News-Herald. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  4. ^ Piorkowski, Jeff (December 17, 2025). "Brush High School will join new UAC athletic conference in 2026-27". cleveland. Retrieved December 19, 2025.