10 Northeast Ohio High School Football Games to Watch This Week

The 2026 Ohio high school football season kicks off Friday, Aug. 21, and Northeast Ohio has a loaded slate. Several of the games below feature teams that opened the year ranked in statewide computer polls, while others carry rivalry history that goes back years. Below are 10 games worth your attention this week, presented in no particular ranking order. 1. Massillon Washington vs. Glenville Massillon opens the season against Glenville for the second year in a row. Their 2025 meeting went to overtime, with Glenville pulling out a 33-27 win. Both programs are regular fixtures in statewide rankings, and this matchup is expected to draw one of the largest crowds of the opening week across the state. 2. St. Edward vs. Olentangy Liberty St. Edward enters the season as one of the highest ranked teams in Ohio and opens against Olentangy Liberty, a strong program from central Ohio. Computer rankings entering the week had St. Edward as a heavy favorite, but Liberty brings a respected roster of its own into the matchup. 3. Mentor vs. Olmsted Falls Mentor has long been one of the steadiest programs in Northeast Ohio, and its season opener against Olmsted Falls gives fans an early look at this year's Cardinals squad. Preseason computer rankings favored Mentor, though season openers can be unpredictable as teams shake off rust. 4. Walsh Jesuit at Highland Walsh Jesuit travels to Medina to face Highland in a matchup between two programs that opened the year ranked in Ohio's Division II computer polls. Walsh Jesuit is entering its first season in the newly formed Ohio Catholic Athletic Conference, giving this nonconference opener extra intrigue. 5. Wadsworth at Cleveland Heights Wadsworth opens the season on the road against Cleveland Heights, kicking off Friday at 7 p.m. Wadsworth reached the Division II playoffs last fall and will look to carry that momentum into a new season under coach Justin Todd. 6. Cardinal Mooney vs. Lake Catholic Two traditionally strong programs from the Mahoning Valley and Lake County area meet in a matchup that computer rankings entering the week projected as one of the closest on this list. Cardinal Mooney and Lake Catholic have built one of the more competitive rivalries in their region in recent seasons. 7. Buchtel at North Canton Hoover This one has become a Week 1 staple. Buchtel travels to North Canton to face Hoover on Friday at 7 p.m. at North Canton Memorial Stadium, part of the Vikings' Youth Night festivities. The two programs have opened against each other in multiple recent seasons, with Hoover taking last year's meeting 30 0. 8. Hudson at Austintown Fitch Hudson opens its season on the road against Austintown Fitch. Both programs opened the year in statewide computer rankings, making this an early measuring stick game for two teams with postseason ambitions. 9. Stow Munroe Falls at Aurora Stow Munroe Falls travels to Aurora on Friday at 7 p.m. to open the season. The two Suburban League programs have built a competitive rivalry in recent years, and this year's opener gives both squads a chance to set an early tone for their conference schedules. 10. Nordonia at St. Vincent St. Mary Nordonia opens the season under new head coach Scott Barwidi, who takes over after longtime coach Jeff Fox stepped down following 14 seasons to become athletic director at his alma mater, Willoughby South. Barwidi spent 18 seasons on the Nordonia coaching staff before being named head coach and has served in roles ranging from defensive backs coach to assistant head coach. The Knights open his tenure on the road against St. Vincent St. Mary in Akron on Friday at 7 p.m.