KNIGHT WATCH: A look inside Knight Nation as the Macedonia, Ohio program opens its 2026-27 campaign
If you were anywhere near Boliantz Stadium on August 21, you already know: this Nordonia football team means business. That result now sets the tone for a fall slate that’s about to get a lot tougher — and it’s just the start of a busy year across the athletic department.
Football: A Statement Opener, and the Toughest Stretch Still Ahead
The Knights didn’t ease into the season — they made a statement. Nordonia dismantled St. Vincent-St. Mary on the road, 49-7, to open 2026-27 at 1-0. That’s a 42-point swing that says as much about the offensive line’s push as it does about a defense that held a proud program to a single score. Through one week, Nordonia is outscoring opponents 49-7 and riding a one-game win streak, currently slotted #93 in the state rankings and first in the Suburban League – National standings at 0-0 in conference play.
From an inside-the-program view, this is exactly the start the coaching staff wanted: a lopsided, confidence-building win before the schedule tightens. And it tightens fast. Here’s what’s on deck:
Fri, 8/28 vs. East (home) — a chance to build to 2-0 before league play begins
Fri, 9/4 vs. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (home)
Fri, 9/11 @ Highland* — conference opener
Fri, 9/18 vs. Hudson* — a rivalry always circled on the calendar
Fri, 9/25 vs. North Royalton* — payback opportunity after last year’s 48-39 upset loss
Fri, 10/2 @ Solon*
Fri, 10/9 @ Stow-Munroe Falls*
Fri, 10/16 vs. Medina*
Fri, 10/23 @ Wadsworth*
(asterisk = Suburban League – National games)
The North Royalton game on September 25 is the one to circle first — Nordonia was undefeated and ranked when the Bears knocked them off 48-39 last fall, and that loss ultimately shaped the back half of the season. Beating Hudson the week before would also go a long way toward building early league positioning.
Related article: Nordonia Routs St. Vincent St. Mary 49 7 in Coaching Debut
Fall Olympic Sports: Seasons Underway
While football grabs headlines, the rest of the fall roster is hitting its stride:
Girls Volleyball opened Suburban League play with matches against Stow-Munroe Falls and a home slate at the Hugh Griffith Memorial Gymnasium — the program will be looking to build on last year’s momentum as the non-league schedule gives way to conference matches.
Boys and Girls Soccer are both at 0-0 to open the new season, with the boys team resetting its roster after last fall’s campaign. Girls soccer will be aiming to improve on a rocky 2025 finish, using the early non-conference slate to find its footing.
Girls Golf returns as defending Suburban League tournament champions after becoming the first team in program history to sweep all four league events — the target on their back is real this fall.
Cross Country and Boys Golf round out the fall calendar, both grinding through invitational season ahead of league and district meets in October.
What’s Being Talked About in the Building
Inside the athletic department, a few storylines are generating buzz heading into the school year:
Riding last spring’s history. The girls flag football team’s state championship — Ohio’s first ever — is still fresh, and it’s raised expectations across the athletic department that Nordonia can compete for hardware in any sport, any season.
Football’s new faces have arrived quickly. After breakout performances from a new starting quarterback and receiving corps last fall, the early returns through one week suggest that continuity is paying off.
A crowded, physical September. Between Villa Angela-St. Joseph, Highland, and Hudson, the next three weeks will tell the coaching staff a lot more about this team than the opener did.
The Bottom Line
One week in, Nordonia is 1-0 and rolling, the fall sports are just getting started, and the whole department is still carrying the swagger of a historic spring. The next real test comes September 11 at Highland — the first Suburban League game of the year, and the first time we’ll see exactly how good this team can be.
Records, scores, and schedules current as of August 24, 2026. Follow live updates at nordoniaathletics.org, nordoniaknightsathletics.org, and MaxPreps.
See related article: Nordonia Girls Soccer Falls to Lake, 3–1
