If you’re looking up the new albany football schedule, you’ve probably realized there’s a bit of a geographic identity crisis. It happens every single year. You search for "New Albany" and you either get the Bulldogs from Mississippi, the Eagles from Ohio, or the other Bulldogs from Indiana. Honestly, if you don't check the state abbreviation, you’re going to show up to a stadium three states away from where the actual kickoff is happening.
The 2025-2026 cycle has been a wild ride for all three programs. We’ve seen playoff heartbreaks in Mississippi, a rebuilding struggle in Indiana, and a rollercoaster "win-one-lose-one" rhythm in Ohio. Let’s break down what just went down and what you need to know about where these teams are headed next.
The Mississippi Bulldogs: A Playoff Run to Remember
The New Albany Bulldogs in Mississippi (Class 4A) basically turned their season into a high-octane highlight reel. Coach Cody Stubblefield had these guys firing on all cylinders for most of the year. They finished the 2025 campaign with an 8-4 record, which sounds solid, but it doesn’t quite capture how insane some of those Friday nights were.
Take the August 29th opener against Saltillo. It was a 45-44 absolute shootout. If you left early to beat the traffic, you missed the best game of the year. They followed that up with a string of dominant wins, including a 66-21 blowout of Caledonia and a 45-22 thumping of Pontotoc.
But the new albany football schedule in Mississippi gets brutal once you hit the postseason. After a gritty 42-36 playoff win over Shannon in early November, the Bulldogs ran into the buzzsaw that is Louisville High School. On November 14, 2025, the season ended with a 50-22 loss. Louisville is a powerhouse for a reason, and while the Bulldogs put up 120 passing yards, they just couldn't stop the run.
Key 2025 Results for the MS Bulldogs:
- Aug 29: vs Saltillo (W 45-44)
- Sep 19: vs Caledonia (W 66-21)
- Oct 24: vs Tishomingo County (W 52-21)
- Nov 7: @ Shannon (W 42-36 - Playoffs)
- Nov 14: @ Louisville (L 22-50 - Playoffs)
The Ohio Eagles: Finding Rhythm in the OCC
Switch gears to Ohio. The New Albany Eagles play in the Ohio Capital Conference (OCC), and let’s just say their 4-6 record in 2025 was "deceptively competitive." They play in Division I, Region 3—basically the deep end of the pool in Ohio high school football.
Coach Brian Finn’s squad had a weird year. They’d lose a heartbreaker to London (14-11) or Upper Arlington (42-7) and then turn around and drop 47 points on Central Crossing. It was hard to get a read on them. One week they looked like world-beaters, and the next, they were struggling to find the end zone against Pickerington North.
The bright spot? October 24th against Westerville Central. They capped off the regular season with a 28-6 win that showed what the defense is capable of when they’re locked in. For the fans following the new albany football schedule in Ohio, the inconsistency was frustrating, but the talent is clearly there for a 2026 breakout.
Ohio Eagle Highlights:
- Sep 5: vs Olentangy Berlin (W 30-21)
- Sep 19: @ Hilliard Bradley (W 34-17)
- Oct 10: @ Central Crossing (W 47-0)
- Oct 24: vs Westerville Central (W 28-6)
The Indiana Bulldogs: A Tough Year in the Hoosier Hills
Now, we have to talk about the New Albany Bulldogs in Indiana. It was a rough one. Kinda heartbreaking, actually. They went 0-10.
In a conference like the Hoosier Hills, there is nowhere to hide. They opened the season with a 49-14 loss to Providence and things just sort of snowballed. The closest they came to a "W" was a 23-22 nail-biter against Silver Creek on September 26. One point. That’s the difference between a winless season and a huge momentum shift.
The season wrapped up on Halloween with a 55-7 loss to Evansville North in the sectional tournament. If you’re a New Albany fan in Indiana, you’re looking at 2026 as a total "reset" year. They lose some seniors, but the silver lining is that a lot of younger guys got meaningful snaps because of the lopsided scores.
Why the Schedule Matters More Than the Scores
When you look at a new albany football schedule, you aren't just looking at dates. You're looking at community identity. In Mississippi, the Bulldogs are a 4A staple. In Ohio, the Eagles are trying to stay relevant in a massive D-I landscape. In Indiana, the Bulldogs are fighting to regain the glory of years past.
The common thread? Travel. These teams aren't just playing across the street. The Mississippi squad is trekking to places like Corinth and Shannon. The Ohio team is navigating the Columbus suburbs. If you're planning to attend a game in 2026, you've gotta account for the "Friday Night Traffic" factor, especially for those 7:00 PM kickoffs.
Things to Watch for in 2026:
- Coaching Stability: Cody Stubblefield (MS) and Brian Finn (OH) seem to have their programs on a clear path. Indiana might be looking for a spark.
- Realignment: High school sports are always changing. Keep an eye on regional realignments that could swap out traditional rivals for new faces.
- Stat Leaders: Look for guys like Kaegan Ash and Kirk Clifton (small-town All-Americans) to continue making waves if they haven't graduated yet.
Navigating the 2026 Calendar
Since we are currently in January 2026, the "new" schedule for the upcoming fall won't be officially finalized and released by most athletic departments until late spring or early summer. However, you can usually bet on the "Home and Home" rule. If New Albany played at Lafayette in 2025, they’ll likely host them in 2026.
Basically, if you want to be ready for the next season, start checking the official school athletic sites (like naeagles.com for Ohio or nabulldogs.com for Mississippi) around May. That’s when the contracts are usually signed and the dates are set in stone.
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Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Confirm your state: Seriously, double-check if you are looking at OH, MS, or IN before buying digital tickets.
- Bookmark the "MaxPreps" page: It's the most reliable way to track live score updates if you can't make it to the stadium.
- Check the "Hudl" highlights: If you missed the 2025 season, both the Ohio and Mississippi teams have extensive video recaps available online.
- Prepare for 2026 Season Tickets: Most schools open renewals in July. Getting on the mailing list now prevents you from being stuck in the standing-room-only section during rivalry week.