​The Minerva Lions begin their 2026 high school football campaign on August 21, kicking off what promises to be an eventful season. After finishing 5-5 last year, Minerva finds themselves in Division IV, Region 15 for postseason competition. Below is a detailed look at this season’s schedule, paired with a recap of the Lions’ 2025 results to provide context for the team’s current form.
All regular-season contests are scheduled for 7 p.m. starts, unless otherwise noted. For those following Stark County-area schedules, click the provided link to access full listings and updates. Fans can also catch Ohio high school football action on NFHS Network throughout the season.
The Lions open the year on August 21 against United Local. The following week, August 28, Minerva travels to Springfield for a non-conference or regionally aligned matchup. On September 4, Minerva hosts Sandy Valley, returning home for a critical early-season test. The road slate resumes on September 11 with a trip to Marlington. September 18 brings a home game against Alliance, followed by September 25 when Minerva hosts Salem.
October is a busy period, with October 2 slated as a home date against Aquinas, and October 9 set for a home contest against West Branch. The Lions then travel to Howland on October 16, before finishing the regular season with an away game at Carrollton on October 23. The state playoffs commence on October 30, with the OHSAA state championship games scheduled for December 3-5 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
Turning to last season’s results provides a useful frame of reference. On Friday, August 22, Minerva fell to United with a 35-0 defeat. A week later, on August 29, the Lions earned a victory over Crestwood, 23-8. September 5 saw Minerva secure a dominant win at Akron Springfield, 34-0, a performance that helped set the tone for the early part of the year. The following Friday, September 12, Minerva traveled to Sandy Valley and posted a 47-12 win, a strong showing on the road. On September 19, Minerva faced St. Thomas Aquinas away from home and rolled to a 31-0 victory, a testament to the team’s defensive prowess during that stretch. September 26 brought a setback as West Branch defeated the Lions, 56-6, a stark reminder of the competitive nature of the schedule. October 3 featured a loss to Salem, 48-17, followed by a crucial 7-0 victory at Marlington on October 10. The October 17 matchup at Alliance proved challenging, with Minerva losing 35-0. The regular-season finale on October 24 ended in a 38-14 loss at Carrollton.
For those seeking the most current coverage from the Canton Repository, the sports department can be reached via email at sports@cantonrep.com. This article, in its original publication on The Repository, includes the Minerva football schedule, scores, and OHSAA playoff information, aligned to support search engine optimization while delivering a comprehensive overview of the Lions’ season.