Category: Athletics

Newton Falls High School Announces Transition to MVAC Scarlet Tier for 2027-2028 School Year

NEWTON FALLS, OH – Newton Falls High School is officially announcing a shift in its athletic landscape. Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, the Tigers will formally enter the Scarlet Tier of the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference (MVAC).

This transition marks a strategic move for the Newton Falls athletic department, aligning the Tigers with schools of similar enrollment sizes to ensure a balanced and sustainable competitive environment for all student-athletes.

Newton Falls will join a premier group of local institutions in the Scarlet Tier. Below is the updated official conference alignment, including enrollment figures and approximate travel times from Newton Falls High School:

“This has been a work in progress for some time now,” said Athletic Director Chad Rankin. “For the first time in probably 40 years, we will be in a league that is predominantly schools our size. This will give our kids better opportunities to be competitive.”

Rankin added, “While we will greatly miss our previous rivalries versus Labrae, Champion, Brookfield, and Liberty, we look forward to starting new rivalries in the MVAC while still being able to play those teams as non-league opponents. In the end, this decision was based on competitiveness, school size, and travel.”

The move to the Scarlet Tier is expected to enhance the game-day experience for students, parents, and the community by fostering natural rivalries with neighboring schools of comparable size.

While the conference schedule will change, Newton Falls remains committed to maintaining its historic local ties through non-conference scheduling.

The 2027-2028 season will usher in this new era of Tiger Pride, providing a platform where competitive equity and student success remain the top priorities.

For more information, contact:

Chad Rankin
Athletic Director
(330) 333-4311
rankinc@nfschools.org