Ohio Northeast Region defunct athletic conferences
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American high school sports conferences
This is a list of former high school athletic conferences in the Northeast Region of Ohio, as designated by the OHSAA. If a conference had members that span multiple regions, the conference is placed in the article of the region most of its former members hail from. Because the names of localities and their corresponding high schools do not always match and because there is often a possibility of ambiguity with respect to either the name of a locality or the name of a high school, the following table gives both in every case, with the locality name first, in plain type, and the high school name second in boldface type. The school's team nickname is given last.
The All-American Athletic Conference was an OHSAA athletic conference that ran from 1986 until 1990. The league dissolved following the consolidation of Warren G. Harding and Western Reserve and the departure of Niles and Howland.
Warren G. Harding Panthers (1986–90, to Steel Valley)
Howland Tigers (1986–90, to Mahoning Valley)
Hubbard Eagles (1986–90, to Mahoning Valley)
Niles McKinley Dragons (1986–90, to Mahoning Valley)
Warren Western Reserve Raiders (1986–90, consolidated into Warren Harding)
All-American Conference (Football)
the All-American Conference was an OHSAA football athletic conference that existed from 1963 until 1979. The league dissolved to escape the dominance of Washington High School.
The All-American Conference was an OHSAA athletic Conference that existed from 2008 until 2020. The League dissolved following the exit of the remaining Blue Tier members, who went on to expand the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference.
Lisbon Beaver Local Beavers (played concurrently in OVAC, 2008–2013, to Buckeye 8 Athletic League) Red Division 2008–11, American Division 2011–13.
Girard Indians (2008-2018, to Northeast 8 Conference)
Hubbard Eagles (2008-2018, to Northeast 8 Conference)
Jefferson Area Falcons (2011-2018, to Northeast 8 Conference)
Cortland Lakeview Bulldogs (2008-2018, to Northeast 8 Conference)
Niles McKinley Red Dragons (2008-2018, to Northeast 8 Conference)
Poland Poland Seminary Bulldogs (2008-2018, to Northeast 8 Conference)
Struthers Wildcats (2008-2018), to Northeast 8 Conference)
Ashtabula Edgewood Warriors (2014-2019, to Chagrin Valley Conference)
Ashtabula Lakeside Dragons (2015-2019, to Chagrin Valley Conference)
Youngstown East Golden Bears (2014-19 [Football, 2015-19], to Steel Valley Conference)
Brookfield Warriors (2014-2020, to Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)
Campbell Memorial Red Devils (2008-2020, to Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)
Champion Golden Flashes (2008-2020, to Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)
Columbiana Crestview Rebels (2019-2020, to Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)
Leavittsburg LaBrae Vikings (2008-2020, to Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)
Liberty Leopards (2008-2020, to Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)
Newton Falls Tigers (2008-2020, to Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference)
All-Ohio Conference/League
The league began as the AOC in 1976, as the Chippewa Conference split into this league and the Pioneer League. After Coventry replaced Tuscarawas Valley in 1983, the name was changed to the AOL.
Navarre Fairless Falcons (1976–89, to PAC-7)
Canal Fulton Northwest Indians (1977–89, to Northeastern Buckeye)
Orrville Red Riders (1976–1989, to Ohio Heartland Conference 1999–2003)
Wooster Triway Titans (1976–1989, to Mohican Area)
Millersburg West Holmes Knights (1976–1989, to Mohican Area)
Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley Trojans (1977-1983)
Manchester Panthers (1976–89, to PAC-7)
Coventry Comets (1983–89, to PAC-7)
Ashland County League
Albion Britons (colors: Navy & wine) (1929–38, consolidated into Homerville)
Hayesville Panthers (colors: orange & black) (1929–63, consolidated into Hillsdale)
Jeromesville Blue Jays (colors: blue & white) (1929–63, consolidated into Hillsdale)
Loudonville Redbirds (colors: scarlet & gray) (1929–62, moved to Johnny Appleseed Conference)
Nankin Knights (1929–37, consolidated into Polk)
Nova Trojans (colors: orange) (1929–49, consolidated into Ruggles-Troy)
Perrysville Admirals (colors: red & white) (1929–61, consolidated into Loudonville)
Polk Presidents (colors: orange & black) (1929–63, consolidated into Mapleton)
Ruggles Redskins (colors: crimson & royal blue) (1929–49, consolidated into Ruggles-Troy)
Savannah Sailors (colors: green & white) (1929–62, consolidated into Crestview)
Sullivan Bobcats (colors: red & white) (1929–58, consolidated into Black River)
Ruggles-Troy Golden Flashes (colors: green & gold) (1949–63, consolidated into Mapleton)
The Chippewa Conference was an OHSAA athletic conference that existed from 1963 until 1977. The league dissolved following the exit of its members to the Pioneer and All-Ohio conferences.
Brunswick Blue Devils (1963–77, to Pioneer)
Lodi Cloverleaf Colts (1963–77, to Pioneer)
Orrville Red Riders (1963–1976, to All-Ohio)
Wadsworth Grizzlies (1963–77, to Pioneer)
Millersburg West Holmes Knights (1968-1976, to All-Ohio)
The East Suburban Conference was an OHSAA athletic Conference that existed from 1968 until 2009. The league dissolved after the remaining members went on to form the Northeastern Athletic Conference.
The Freeway Conference was an OHSAA athletic Conference that existed from 1962 until 1968. The league dissolved following the exit of Mayfield, Mentor and South to join the original GCC.
Mayfield Wildcats (1962-1968, to Greater Cleveland)
Mentor Cardinals (1962-1968, to Greater Cleveland)
Willoughby South Rebels (1962-1968, to Greater Cleveland)
Grand River Conference
The Grand River Conference was an OHSAA athletic Conference that existed from 1972 until 1989. The league was dissolved to from the East Suburban Conference in 1989.
Orwell Grand Valley Mustangs (1972–89, to East Suburban)
Thompson Ledgemont Redskins (1972–89, to East Suburban)
The Great Lakes Conference was an OHSAA athletic conference that existed from 2015 until 2024. The league was dissolved following the exit of several schools to form the Cleveland West Conference in 2024, and the exit of Elyria Catholic and Holy Name to help form the North Coast Conference.
The Hall of Fame Conference was an OHSAA football athletic conference that existed from 1972 until 1975. The league dissolved following the closure of Lehman and Lincoln High Schools.
The Inland Conference was an OHSAA athletic conference that existed from 1957 until 1989. The league dissolved following the exit of the remaining schools, who left for the Metropolitan Athletic Conference.[1]
Avon Eagles (1957–1986 to Lorain County)
Sheffield Brookside Cardinals (1957–1970 to Lakeland Conference)
Medina Buckeye Bucks (1957–1989)
Columbia Station Columbia Raiders (1957–1989 to Metropolitan Athletic)
Oberlin Firelands Falcons (1957–1986 to Lorain County)
Medina Highland Hornets (1957–1976 to Suburban)
LaGrange Keystone Wildcats (1957–1986 to Lorain County)
South Amherst Cavaliers (1957–1988 consolidated into Firelands)
Rocky River Lutheran West Longhorns (1970–1989 to Metropolitan Athletic)
Cuyahoga Heights Redskins (1979-1989 to Metropolitan Athletic)
Brooklyn Hurricanes (1979–1989 to Metropolitan Athletic)
Independence Blue Devils (1979–1989 to Metropolitan Athletic)
Inter-County League
The Inter-County League was an OHSAA athletic conference that existed from 1951 until 2006. The league was dissolved and reformed into the Inter-Tri County League in 2006.
Canfield Cardinals (1951–60, to Turnpike Conference)
Columbiana Clippers (1951–56, to Tri-County League, 1976–91, to Tri-County League)
Damascus Goshen Union Gophers (1951–59, consolidated into West Branch)
The ITCL was formed as a merger of the Inter-County and Tri-County leagues in 2006. The two-tier system was realigned into a three-tier system in 2015 to reduce travel costs.[2] In March 2016, it was announced that the league would disband into two leagues, the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference and the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference, effective for the 2017-18 year.
Blue Division
North Jackson Jackson-Milton Blue Jays (2006-2017, to MVAC)
Lake County League/Western Reserve Conference (1920s-1968)
The Lake County League was an OHSAA athletic conference that operated from the 1920s until 1968. It was renamed to the Western Reserve Conference in 1948.
Ashtabula Edgewood Warriors (1962-1965 to Northeastern)
Ashtabula Harbor Mariners (1951-1965 to Northeastern)
Conneaut Spartans (1951-1959 to Northeastern)
Conneaut Rowe Vikings (1951-1964 consolidated into Conneaut)
Fairport Harding Skippers (1948-1951; 1962-1968 to Northeastern in 1952, to Lake Shore in 1968)
Geneva Spencer Wildcats (1957-1961 consolidated into Geneva)
Jefferson Area Falcons (1954-1968 to Northeastern)
Kirtland Hornets (1948-1960 to Great Lakes)
Madison Blue Streaks (1948-1968 to Lake Shore)
Painesville Harvey Red Raiders (?-1928)
Perry Pirates (?-1968 to Lake Shore)
Wickliffe Blue Devils (?-1957 to Northeastern)
Willougby Union Rangers (?-1928 to Lake Shore)
Lake Erie League
Lake Erie Conference was an OHSAA athletic conference that existed from 1923 until 2025. The league disbanded due to lack of membership[3]
Mahoning Valley Conference/Metro Athletic Conference
The MVC began in 1972, and changed its name to the MAC in 1994. In 2008 the league (minus East Liverpool) merged with the Trumbull Athletic Conference to become the All-American Conference.
The conference was formed in 2007 by the merger of the Pioneer Conference and a previous incarnation of the Western Reserve conference. There are three six-member divisions — Valley, River and Lake — that vary by sport.
Brunswick Blue Devils (2007–15, to Greater Cleveland Conference)
Lyndhurst Brush Arcs (2007–15, to Western Reserve Conference)
Cuyahoga Falls Black Tigers (2007–15, to Suburban League)
Elyria Pioneers (2007–15, to Greater Cleveland Conference)
The football-only league dissolved in May 1952, prior to the 1952 football season. Distance and low gate receipts were cited as reasons for folding the league. Toledo Waite representatives also mentioned that having to play conference newcomer Toledo Macomber in the Toledo City League would have made it impossible for them to continue playing in both leagues.
An interest in joining the league was expressed by Hamilton, Middletown, Springfield, and Toledo Libbey in 1949, but those schools ultimately decided the travel was too much for them to consider as well.
This conference's growth was the result of major changes due such as population growth/shift, proximity to interstate corridors and the potential for greater natural border rivalries . The first was the mid/late 1970s where schools located south of the first ring suburbs near or through the I-71 corridor were realizing unprecedented growth. The conference's six charter members had outgrown their respective leagues. Berea and Midpark, both in the heart of the I-71 corridor, followed suit in 1979. During the 1980s Wadsworth, a member with strong athletic programs despite smaller enrollment, left for the Suburban League where opponents along the US-224 and I-76/I-94 corridors made better natural border rivalries. Cloverleaf followed suit in the late 1990s due to stagnation in its enrollment and its inability to maintain its programs at competitive levels in the PC. Conversely, Medina, also along the corridor, joined the PC in 1986 because of its unprecedented growth and the greater natural border rivalries among the league's charter members. The final shift was the early 2000s where first-ring south/west Cleveland suburbs found the charter PC members were now larger, more suitable opponents and closer in proximity; saving some travel among Lake Erie League opponents of years past. Lorain County schools, Elyria and North Ridgeville, were looking for closer, competitive opponents as an alternative to the continued shrinking of Lorain City and Sandusky schools. Their proximity to I-80 and I-480 made the jump to the PC more viable. This conference was a powerhouse in all sports and it was also the foundation of the Cleveland area's first suburban mega-conference, the NEO Conference, whose format was patterned after similar mega-conferences formed in Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati suburbs.
The Portage Trail Conference folded in 2025 due to lack of membership, following the losses of its final two charter members, who were also the only remaining public schools. Rootstown left to join the Chagrin Valley Conference and Mogadore, unable to find a new league, left in May 2025 to become an independent until they find a new league. With only three schools remaining, and only two that offer football, the league made the decision to fold at the end of the 2024–25 school year.[10]
Shalersville Rams, also Owls (192?-50, consolidated into Mantua-Shalersville)
Streetsboro Rockets (192?-1950; 1963–2005, merged into PTC)
Suffield Big Red, also Red Devils or Red Riders (192?-61, consolidated into Field)
Windham Bombers (Yellow Jackets before 1939) (192?-53, 1961–2005, merged into PTC)
Mantua Crestwood Red Devils (Mantua-Shalersville until 1955) (1950–58, 1961–2005, merged into PTC)
Kent State Statesmen (1960–72, Blue Devils before 1956, school closed)
Brimfield Field Falcons (Big Red until 1980s) (1961–76, 1990–2005, merged into PTC)
Atwater Waterloo Vikings (1967-2005, merged into PTC)
Peninsula Woodridge Bulldogs (1978-2005, merged into PTC)
Premier Athletic Conference
Chardon Hilltoppers (1998-2015, to Western Reserve Conference)
Ashtabula Lakeside Dragons (2007–15, to All-American Conference)
Geneva Eagles (2009–15, to Chagrin Valley Conference)
Madison Blue Streaks (1998-2015, to Western Reserve Conference)
Eastlake North Rangers (1998-2015, to Western Reserve Conference)
Painesville Riverside Beavers (1998-2015, to Western Reserve Conference)
Willoughby South Rebels (1998-2015, to Western Reserve Conference)
Hunting Valley University Preppers (2009–15, to Independents)
Section One League
Originally the Stark County B League, this league ended in 1960, as its last remaining member moved to the Stark County AA League.
Beach City Pirates (1921–60, consolidated into Fairless)
Brewster Railroaders (1921–60, consolidated into Fairless)
Canal Fulton Indians (1921–52, consolidated into Northwest)
East Sparta Spartans (1921–53, consolidated into Sandy Valley)
Greentown Greyhounds (1921–53, consolidated into North Canton)
Hartville Blue Streaks (1921–58, consolidated into Lake)
Lexington Lions (1921–57, consolidated into Marlington)
Magnolia Panthers (1921–53, consolidated into Sandy Valley)
Marlboro Dukes (1921–57, consolidated into Marlington)
Navarre Rams (1921–60, consolidated into Fairless)
Uniontown Bobcats (1921–58, consolidated into Lake)
Washington Warriors (1921–57, consolidated into Marlington)
Waynesburg Mohawks (1921–53, consolidated into Sandy Valley)
Canton Oakwood Golden Raiders (1933–60, to Stark County AA League)
Senate League
Originally the Stark County A League when formed in 1921, the league adjusted its name when Ohio went from "A"/"B" classification to "AA"/"A" in 1957. When the Federal League split off in 1964, the remaining members renamed their league the SL in response. The League folded in 1989, as its remaining members split to help form two new leagues.
Alliance Aviators (1921–53, to Big 8 Conference)
Canton South Wildcats (1921–64, to Federal League)
East Canton Hornets (1921–88, to PAC-7 1989)
Canton Glenwood Eagles (Middlebranch until 1957, 1921–64, to Federal League)
North Canton Hoover Vikings (North Canton until 1957, 1921–68, to Federal League)
Canton Jackson Polar Bears (1921–64, to Federal League)
Louisville Leopards (1921–32, to Tri-County League)
Minerva Lions (1921–32, to Tri-County League; 1973–89, to Northeastern Buckeye Conference)
Canal Fulton Northwest Indians (1952–77, to All-Ohio League)
Magnolia Sandy Valley Cardinals (1953–64, to Federal League; 1968–89, to PAC-7)
Massilon Perry Panthers (1956–64, to Federal League)
Marlboro Marlington Dukes (1957–64, to Federal League)
Uniontown Lake Blue Streaks (1958–87, to Federal League)
Navarre Fairless Falcons (1960–64, to Federal League)
Canton Oakwood Golden Raiders (1960–68, to Federal League)
Tuscarawas Township Tuslaw Mustangs (1960–89, to PAC-7)
Starsburg-Franklin Tigers (1968–71, to Inter-Valley Conference)
Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley Trojans (1968–74, to Inter-Valley Conference 1974–1977, to All-Ohio Conference 1977–1983; 1983–89 to PAC-7)
Carrollton Warriors (1974–89, to Northeastern Buckeye Conference)
Uhrichsville Claymont Mustangs (1974–89, to East Central Ohio League)
Dover Tornadoes (1987–89, to Northeastern Buckeye Conference)
Steel Valley Conference (2019-2025)
The original SVC existed from 1949 to 2009. 2019 marks the start of the second incarnation of the Steel Valley Conference. The Conference folded following the 2024-2025 School Year with Cardinal Mooney and Ursuline finding a new conference and Chaney and East consolidating into one school.
Formed in 1958 by teams in Portage County, some of which had either been excluded from the Portage County League or grown too large due to consolidation. In 1961, it merged with the Portage County League.
The Trolley League was an OHSAA athletic conference that existed from 1919 until 1948. It was later renamed to the Western Reserve League in 1931 after the interurban trolley line was shut down.
Akron Ellet Orangemen (1931-1937 to Metro League)
Akron Kenmore Cardinals (1919-1929 to Akron City Series)
Akron St. Vincent Fighting Irish (1938-1948)
Bedford Bearcats (1921-?)
Cuyahoga Falls Black Tigers (1919-1929; 1937-1948)
Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders (1919-1948)
Kent State University School Blue Devils (1919-1937 to Metro League)
Medina Battling Bees (?-1931)
Orville Red Raiders (1920-1924; 1926-1929; 1932-1938)
Ravenna Ravens (1919-1948)
Wadsworth Grizzlies (1931-1941)
Trumbull Interscholastic Conference/Association
The TIC/TIA was a former OHSAA athletic conference that existed between the early 1920s until the 1960s.
Bazetta Trojans (later became Lakeview)
Bloomfield Cardinals
Braceville Indians (later became LaBrae)
Bristol Panthers
Champion Flashes
Cortland Bulldogs (later became Lakeview)
Farmington Falcons (school closed)
Fowler Bulldogs (later became Mathews)
Greene Pirates (later became Maplewood)
Gustavus Falcons (later became Badger)
Hartford Eagles (later became Badger)
Howland Tigers
Johnston Jaguars (later became Maplewood)
Mecca Tigers (later became Maplewood)
Mesopotamia Tigers (later became Bloomfield)
Southington Chalker Wildcats
Vernon Tigers (later became Mathews)
Vienna Eagles (later became Mathews)
Trumbull AA League/Trumbull Athletic Conference
The Trumbull Athletic Conference was a former OHSAA athletic league made up of members from Trumbull and Columbiana counties in Ohio. It was originally named the Trumbull AA League and began in 1960 and did not sponsor football until 1968. Following the addition of Hubbard in 1990, the league was renamed to the Trumbull Athletic Conference. The league merged with the Metro Athletic Conference to form the All-American Conference in 2008
Brookfield Warriors (1973-2008 to All-American)
Canfield Cardinals (1968-1972 to Mahoning Valley)
Champion Flashes (1960-2008 to All-American)
Cortland Bulldogs (1960-1961 consolidated into Lakeview)
East Palestine Bulldogs (1987-1990 to Tri-County)
Girard Indians (2001-2008 to All-American)
Hubbard Eagles (1990-2008 to All-American)
Kinsman Badger Braves (1961-2003 to Northeast Athletic)
Leavittsburg LaBrae Vikings (1970-2008 to All-American)
Leavittsburg Yellow Jackets (1960-1970 consolidated into LaBrae)
Liberty Leopards (1979-2008 to All- American)
Mathews Mustangs (1973-1982 to Independent)
Newton Falls Tigers (1960-2008 to All-American)
Western Reserve Conference (1996-2007)
The Western Reserve Conference was an OHSAA athletic conference that existed from 1996 until 2007. The remaining members of the conference merged with the Pioneer Conference in 2007 to form the Northeast Ohio Conference.
Bainbridge Kenston Bombers (1996-2005 to Chargin Valley)
Barberton Magic (1996-2005 to Suburban)
Chesterland West Geauga Wolverines (1996-1998 to Chargin Valley)
Cuyahoga Falls Black Tigers (1996-2007 to Northeast Ohio)
Hudson Explorers (1997-2007 to Northeast Ohio)
Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders (1996-2005 to Portage Trail)
Lyndhurst Brush Arcs (1996-2007 to Northeast Ohio)
Nordonia Knights (1997-2007 to Northeast Ohio)
Mayfield Wildcats (1998-2007 (to Northeast Ohio)
Pepper Pike Orange Lions (1996-1998 to Chagrin Valley
Ravenna Ravens (1996-2005 to Portage Trail)
Solon Comets (1996-2007 to Northeast Ohio)
Stow-Monore Falls Bulldogs (1996-2007 to Northeast Ohio)
The current member schools of the West Shore Conference through 2012 are in red.
Avon Eagles (2005-2015, to Southwestern Conference)
Bay VillageBay Rockets (2005-2015, to Great Lakes Conference)
Fairview ParkFairview Warriors (2005-2011, to Patriot Athletic Conference)
Oberlin Firelands Falcons (2005-2011, to Patriot Athletic Conference)
Grafton Midview Middies (2005-2015, to Southwestern Conference)
North Ridgeville Rangers (2005-2015, to Southwestern Conference)
Rocky River Pirates (2005-2015, to Great Lakes Conference)
Vermilion Sailors (2005-2015, to Sandusky Bay 2016)
Elyria Catholic Panthers (2011-2015, to Great Lakes Conference)
Lakewood Rangers (2012-2015, to Southwestern Conference)
Youngstown City Series
The Youngstown City Series was an OHSAA athletic conference that existed from 1925 until 2003. The YCS folded following the move to the Steel Valley Conference.
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