by Would you believe that there are 51 days until high school football is on for the first Friday night of the year? Don’t worry, neither can I. Each week here I will be giving away two leagues/conferences and predict their records and each game with me doing one a day. To begin, we’re gonna go to my part of the woods in the Suburban League, starting with the American Conference. And before we begin, there are some ground rules we need to go over when it comes to the League:
- Highland, Tallmadge, Kent Roosevelt, and Cuyahoga Falls will all be out of the American Conference starting in 2026 with the latter three out of the league altogether. Highland will be joining the National Conference
- Kenston, Mayfield, and Medina will be in the league to replace Tallmadge, Roosevelt, and Falls. Kenston and Mayfield will be in the American Conference and Medina in the National
- Brecksville-Broadview Heights and Twinsburg will be jumping ship to the American Conference for at least football
- Some things aren’t completed yet, I will let you know as soon as possible
With that aside, let’s talk some Suburban League!
Suburban League American Conference
Aurora Greenmen: 9-1, 6-1
The Greenmen have continued to show that they are a top tier team in the American Conference and in D3R9. Last year, coach Bob Mihalik led Aurora to another productive season where they went 11-2 with both their losses coming to always tough Highland in the conference championship game and to Ursuline in the playoffs. With their schedule consisting of all Suburban League teams (two in the National Conference) and their only game not in the league being Lutheran West, their schedule seems like a walk in the park for the Greenmen. The one game to look out for is the American Conference championship rematch week four against Highland, this time being at Granger. Aside from that game, no major obstacles stand in Aurora’s way.
Barberton Magics: 3-7, 2-5
After a disappointing 2024 season, Tony Gotto and the Magics are trying to move upwards. Wadsworth and Stow start off the season for Barberton, with the Stow game being home. South Range concludes their non-conference schedule, and the front end of the schedule doesn’t look too bad for the Magics. Once they hit Highland week seven, things won’t get too easy from there on out. Aside from the Hornets, the Greenmen will be a tough team for the Magics as they conclude their season hosting Aurora. While last year was frustrating for Barberton, I can see some improvements for them in 2025, and they will be going in the right direction.
Copley Indians: 6-4, 4-3
What started off looking like another rough season for the Indians wound up leading them to host a playoff game for the first time in several years. Head coach and former Copley standout (and BW quarterback) John Kromalic have optimism and momentum on their side now, and this year looks like a potential winning record. Though they may be mismatched against a tough Streetsboro team week one, but the Firestone Falcons and GCLC Rams should be easy for the Indians. However, back to back games against the Hornets and Greenmen will be a two-week gauntlet. Outside of those two and the Rockets, the Indians should match favorably well against their opponents, with Revere being a tossup.
Cuyahoga Falls Black Tigers: 1-9, 0-7
It seems as if a change in scenery within the Suburban League didn’t fix the Tigers’ problems, which is why they will be out of the league for the Metro Athletic Conference in 2026. They do have a last chance to win a game in the conference for the first time since 2018, when they beat Brecksville. The one issue: they aren’t as deep or stacked as the other schools in the American Conference. Their only win will come to Akron North, the only school they’ve had luck against over the last few years. The worst and most dejecting part of their schedule is that they have to deal with the mighty Highland Hornets week ten on the road, whom forced a running clock against them in the second quarter last year.
Highland Hornets: 9-1, 7-0
While we’re on the subject of Highland, this is gonna be Casey Myser’s last ride as the Hornets’ running back. I know I may be biased as a Highland alum and play-by-play announcer, but this man could potentially be a candidate for Mr. Football this year. Anyways, the schedule is tough in the beginning, starting outside of Ohio when they play the McDowell Trojans. It doesn’t get any easier for them the next three weeks against Hudson, who they beat in a grinding 31-24 win on the road last year; Avon Lake, always a threat in the SWC; and Aurora. Luckily for the Hornets, the schedule gets easier after the Greenmen, as one should expect at least four touchdown margins against their final six schools. The concern, however, isn’t about the conference, but rather the reigning D2 champions and regional rivals Avon Eagles. But potentially overlooking the conference could be a problem for Highland, and they need to take things one game at a time.
Revere Minutemen: 6-4, 3-4
Revere picked up a playoff win last year over their bitter rivals the Copley Indians, and are looking to build off a strong 2024 campaign. The first three games against Woodridge, Garfield, and Valley Forge should be easy for the Minutemen, but I have them on upset alert at Roosevelt the following week. Revere does have Copley at home this year to end the season, and the tough teams are spaced out in their schedule. Though I have them at a 3-4 record, they could quite easily have two blemishes if they can play the Riders and Devils well enough.
Roosevelt Rough Riders: 3-7, 2-5
In what will be their last season as members in the Suburban League, the Rough Riders don’t have a good shot at winning the conference, but could surprise some folks. Their three wins will be consecutive, with one of them being the aforementioned upset over the Minutemen at home. However, their schedule gets more difficult and have to deal with the two big schools in the conference in Highland and Aurora in back-to-back weeks. But if they can capitalize on the momentum on three straight wins, perhaps they will get to .500, and even sneak into the D3R9 playoffs.
Tallmadge Blue Devils: 6-4, 4-3
The Blue Devils will also be out of the league after spending 36 years there. Unlike the Tigers and Riders, however, Tallmadge has a good shot at making the playoffs in D3R9. Ellet should be an easy win to start the season before hosting Brecksville in what will be nothing short of a dogfight. They also play the Green Bulldogs well, and that game should also be worth noting in my opinion. Another positive to the Devils is that their last game will be a win over the Rough Riders at home. But for now, we’ll see if they can knock off Aurora and Highland for the first time in many years.
