Malvern Hornets 2026 Football Schedule Overview

Season Kickoff and Early Fixtures

The Hornets open the 2026 high school football season on Aug. 21, looking to improve upon a 7‑5 finish from the previous year. They are slotted into Division VII, Region 25 for postseason competition. The regular season begins with a road game against East Palestine on Sept. 4, followed by visits to Sandy Valley and Newcomerstown in the next three weeks.

Mid‑October brings two more away contests at Tuscarawas Central Catholic and Buckeye Trail, before the team hosts East Canton on Oct. 23. All non‑playoff games start at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. The schedule caps the regular season with a home stand against East Canton, setting the stage for the playoff run.

Playoff Path and State Championship Details

OHSAA state playoffs commence on Oct. 30, with Malvern aiming to navigate the regional bracket. The ultimate prize, the state championship, will be decided Dec. 3‑5 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. Securing a spot in the final four will require at least one win in each playoff round, starting with the Oct. 30 opener.

The Hornets’ placement in Division VII, Region 25 shapes the playoff matchup landscape, as they will face similarly seeded opponents. Success in the postseason could mark a notable upward trend after a 7‑5 campaign in 2025.

2025 Season Recap and Game-by‑Game Results

• Aug. 22 – Victory over Valley Christian, 16‑8
• Aug. 29 – Loss to Martins Ferry, 35‑6
• Sept. 5 – Win against Harrison Central, 34‑15
• Sept. 12 – Defeat at Mogadore, 28‑14
• Sept. 19 – Narrow win over Tusky Valley, 14‑13
• Sept. 26 – Victory at Strasburg, 16‑10
• Oct. 3 – Dominant win versus Buckeye Trail, 54‑22
• Oct. 10 – Setback against Newcomerstown, 40‑12
• Oct. 17 – Strong performance versus Tuscarawas Central Catholic, 56‑16
• Oct. 24 – Close loss to East Canton, 7‑6
• Oct. 31 – Shutout win over Ashtabula St. John, 34‑0
• Nov. 7 – Final playoff loss at Monroeville, 34‑14

The 2025 slate ended with a 7‑5 mark, highlighted by a pair of shutout victories and several high‑scoring outings. The Hornets displayed the ability to bounce back after early season setbacks, particularly the 54‑22 triumph over Buckeye Trail. Moving into 2026, the coaching staff will aim to tighten defense, building on the 56‑16 margin recorded against Tuscarawas Central Catholic.

The upcoming schedule offers a mix of road challenges and home advantages, providing the Hornets with multiple opportunities to lock in wins before the Oct. 30 playoff kickoff. Fans can expect a competitive run, especially given the team’s experience from the previous season and the depth of opponents in Division VII.