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.

MVAC Scarlet Tier Membership, Enrollment & Travel

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:

 
School Enrollment Approx. Travel Time
Mineral Ridge 266 25 Minutes
Campbell 247 30 Minutes
Newton Falls 245 —
Springfield 243 35 Minutes
McDonald 233 25 Minutes
Jackson-Milton 170 10 Minutes
Lowellville 136 35 Minutes
Western Reserve 127 20 Minutes
Sebring 96 30 Minutes

Statement from Athletic Director Chad Rankin

"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."

Impact on Tiger Athletics

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.