​The Malvern Hornets kick off their 2026 high school football campaign on August 21, opening the season with a home game against Trinity. After finishing last season with a 7-5 record, Malvern competes in Division VII, Region 25 for the state playoffs. The team’s 2026 schedule includes a mix of non-conference and division foes, with all regular-season games set to begin at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For readers following Stark County-area schedules, there is a convenient link to view all games in the region.
On August 21, Malvern welcomes Trinity to town, followed by a visit to McDonald on August 28. The Hornets then head to East Palestine on September 4, before traveling to Mogadore on September 11. A road trip to Sandy Valley awaits on September 18, with a home date versus Newcomerstown scheduled for September 25. October opens with an away game at Tuscarawas Central Catholic on October 2, then a trip to Buckeye Trail on October 9. Malvern returns home on October 16 for a matchup with Strasburg, and closes the regular season with a home game against East Canton on October 23.
The OHSAA playoffs begin on October 30, with the state championship games slated for December 3-5 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. The Hornets’ postseason run in 2025 included a mix of wins and losses, and the 2026 narrative continues with hopes for another deep playoff push.
Reviewing the 2025 season results provides context for the current year’s ambitions. On August 22, Malvern defeated Valley Christian 16-8 in a nonleague tilt, followed by a September 5 loss to Harrison Central, 34-15. The Hornets met Mogadore on September 12 and fell 28-14, then edged Tusky Valley 14-13 on September 19. A September 26 win over Strasburg occurred, 16-10. October brought a 54-22 victory over Buckeye Trail on October 3, a 40-12 loss at Newcomerstown on October 10, and a dominant 56-16 win against Tuscarawas Central Catholic on October 17. The regular season concluded with a hard-fought 7-6 setback at East Canton on October 24.
In the Division VII playoffs for the 2025 season, Malvern defeated Ashtabula St. John 34-0 on October 31 before a challenging result on November 7, losing 34-14 at Monroeville. The Canton Repository’s sports department provides ongoing coverage of Malvern football, with ongoing updates available via sports@cantonrep.com. This article originally appeared on The Repository, highlighting Malvern’s football schedule, scores, and OHSAA playoff implications for the 2025 season, with the 2026 outlook building on that foundation.
For fans tracking the team’s progress and looking to stay informed about the Hornets’ journey through the 2026 campaign, the schedule offers a clear roadmap of early-season tests, conference and non-conference opponents, and the pursuit of another postseason berth in Division VII, Region 25. The upcoming slate showcases a blend of home and away games, prime early-season matchups to gauge strengths, and critical late-season contests as the Hornets push toward the state tournament, all while retaining the tradition and competitive spirit that defines Malvern football.