You’ve probably heard the roar if you’ve ever spent a Friday night anywhere near Austintown, Ohio. It’s loud. It’s consistent. And honestly, it’s a bit intimidating if you’re on the wrong side of the visitor's sideline. Austintown Fitch football isn't just a high school program; it’s basically the heartbeat of a community that measures its years in four-yard gains and defensive stops.
But here is the thing: people outside the Mahoning Valley often think they have the Falcons figured out. They see the Division II status and the 9-2 records and assume it’s just another solid Ohio program. They’re wrong. There’s a specific brand of "Fitch Football" that’s built on a weird, beautiful mix of old-school grit and a surprisingly modern offensive philosophy that has kept them relevant for decades.
Why Austintown Fitch Football Still Matters in the Valley
Football in Northeast Ohio is a different beast. You have the private school powerhouses and the massive Division I schools, but Austintown Fitch sits in this unique pocket. They’re big, but they feel like an underdog. They’re public, but they play with a disciplined edge you usually only see at the expensive academies.
The 2025 season was a perfect example of this. Led by Head Coach Collin Kalaher, the Falcons put together a 9-2 campaign that felt like a statement. It wasn't just that they won; it was how they won. They didn't just sleepwalk through a schedule. They took a tough loss to Hudson right out of the gate (28-14) and instead of spiraling, they went on an absolute tear.
We’re talking about a seven-game winning streak where they essentially turned the scoreboard into a video game. 41-3 over Jackson. 54-6 over Buchtel. It was dominant.
The Collin Kalaher Era and the "New" Falcons
For a long time, TJ Parker was the face of the program, a guy who lived and breathed Austintown. Transitioning to a new lead can be sketchy for any high school team. You've seen it happen—the culture shifts, the kids lose interest, the stands start to empty.
That didn't happen here.
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Kalaher has managed to keep that "alma mater" pride while modernizing the scheme. The roster this past year was stacked with names that local scouts have been circling for a while. You had guys like Junie Higgs (Sr.) and Deondray Richard (Jr.) providing a backfield punch that made life miserable for opposing linebackers.
And then there’s the quarterbacking. Whether it was Collin Kalaher himself under center or the younger Jayden Sheridan getting reps, the Falcons showed they aren't afraid to air it out when the box gets too crowded.
The Rivalry Everyone Talks About (And One They Don't)
If you want to understand Fitch, you have to understand the Boardman rivalry. It’s the "Spartans vs. Falcons" showdown that stops traffic on Route 224.
On October 17, 2025, the Falcons went into Boardman and walked away with a 31-14 victory. It was a classic "throw the records out" game. Boardman fought hard—freshman Maddy Slevin was actually making waves on the girls' side around the same time, showing the Spartan grit runs deep—but on the football field, Fitch was just too physical.
But there’s another rivalry that’s just as intense: Warren G. Harding.
Harding is where the real "steel town" football comes out. When Fitch traveled to Warren on October 24, they put on a masterclass, winning 35-0. Shutting out a team like Harding is basically the local equivalent of winning a mini-Super Bowl. It’s about more than the points; it’s about the recruiting rights and the bragging rights in the local barber shops.
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Life at Greenwood Chevrolet Austintown Falcon Stadium
The stadium itself got a facelift and a name change a while back, now officially known as Greenwood Chevrolet Austintown Falcon Stadium. It’s a $330,000 partnership that actually pays for things like the synthetic turf and the facility upgrades that keep the program elite.
People complain about corporate names in high school sports, but let’s be real: in 2026, if you want a stadium that seats 3,900 people and has a press box that doesn’t shake in the wind, you need that local business support.
What Really Happened in the 2025 Playoffs
The end of the 2025 season was a bit of a heartbreaker, though it shouldn't overshadow the work they put in. They drew Green in the first round of the playoffs and gutted out a 28-25 win. It was ugly. It was stressful. It was exactly what playoff football in November should be.
Then came Walsh Jesuit.
Walsh is a different animal. They’re a Division II, Region 5 powerhouse for a reason. Fitch kept it close for a while, but eventually, the depth and the relentless pace of Walsh Jesuit’s offense led to a 42-21 loss for the Falcons. It ended the season, but it also set the bar for the 2026 returning class.
The kids coming back—like Wayne Holloway and Isaiah Porch—have that 42-21 score burned into their brains. That’s how dynasties are maintained.
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The Misconception of "Just a Football School"
I’ve heard people say Austintown is "just a football school."
That’s a lazy take.
While the football team gets the headlines, the athletic complex is a hub for everything. The girls' soccer team was busy blowing past Boardman 6-0 this past October, and the volleyball team is consistently competitive. But football is the engine. It’s the thing that funds the new track and the renovated field house.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Parents
If you’re looking to get involved or just want to catch a game next season, here is what you actually need to know:
- Ticket Strategy: Don't try to buy tickets at the gate for the Boardman or Harding games. They use GoFan almost exclusively now, and they sell out fast.
- The Best Seat: If you aren't into the student section chaos, aim for the mid-level seats on the home side near the 40-yard line. You get the best view of the plays developing without having to stand the whole time.
- Recruiting: If you're a parent of a middle schooler, look at the "Falcon Youth" programs. The high school staff is much more integrated with the youth leagues now than they were five years ago. This "one-system" approach is why the varsity team doesn't have "rebuilding" years—they just reload.
- Stay Updated: Follow the local beat reporters from the Tribune Chronicle or WFMJ. The MaxPreps stats are okay, but they often miss the nuance of why a player sat out or how a specific defensive shift changed a game.
Austintown Fitch football is a grind. It’s 6:00 AM weight room sessions in February and film study in July. For a town that was built on the steel industry, that work ethic isn't just a cliché; it’s the only way they know how to play. The 2025 season proved the Falcons aren't going anywhere, and 2026 is looking like it might be even louder.