JEROMESVILLE — Welcome to Ashland Source’s 2026 high school football preview. Over the coming days, we’ll preview all the schools across the county. Each preview features this season’s schedule, last season’s performance, statistics, a player to watch and what fans can expect under the Friday night lights.
Today, we preview the Hillsdale Falcons. You can find all of our high school football previews here.
Graham Auto Mall is proud to back our area’s local athletes and help Ashland Source provide fans in-depth coverage of the upcoming high school football season.
Hillsdale Falcons 2026 Preview
Division: VI
Region: 21
Conference: Wayne County Athletic League
Coach: Trevor Cline
Last year: 13-2
Playoff Appearances: 14 (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009)
Playoff Record: 19-14
PLAYER TO WATCH 👀
Kael Lewis: Hillsdale’s senior quarterback already owns virtually every single-game, single-season and career passing record. He completed 166-of-239 passes for 2,451 yards and 27 touchdowns last year after throwing for single-season records of 3,053 yards and 35 TDs as a sophomore. For his career he has completed 66% of his passes for 5,516 yards and 62 TDs.
BY THE NUMBERS 📊
2
Straight state championship game appearances for the Falcons. Hillsdale reached the Division VII state final each of the past two seasons before moving up to Division VI this year.
15
Seniors lost to graduation. The Class of 2026 won 42 games in four years, the most wins ever by a graduating class (42-12).
67
Combined receptions for seniors Knox Lewis and Kyle Turk last year. Lewis caught 34 passes for 369 yards and six touchdowns, while Turk had 33 receptions for 539 yards and three TDs before suffering a knee injury during Hillsdale’s playoff run.
71
Tackles for junior linebacker Deacon Boreman last year. Boreman is Hillsdale’s top returning tackler.
2025 RESULTS
Hillsdale 42, Black River 14
Hillsdale 31, Lucas 0
Hillsdale 35, Loudonville 14
Hillsdale 53, Chippewa 0
Hillsdale 35, Dalton 6
Hillsdale 35, Smithville 10
Hillsdale 45, Waynedale 13
Hillsdale 49, Northwestern 7
Hillsdale 49, Rittman 13
Norwayne 24, Hillsdale 17
Playoffs
Hillsdale 63, Conotton Valley 6
Hillsdale 48, Symmes Valley 7
Hillsdale 25, Danville 20
Hillsdale 41, McDonald 13
St. Henry 37, Hillsdale 3
2026 SCHEDULE 📅
Aug. 21 — BLACK RIVER
Aug. 28 — at Lucas
Sept. 4 — at Loudonville
Sept. 11 — DALTON
Sept. 18 — at Smithville
Sept. 25 — WAYNEDALE
Oct. 2 — NORTHWESTERN
Oct. 9 — at Rittman
Oct. 16 — NORWAYNE
Oct. 23 — at Chippewa
TWO MINUTE DRILL ⏱️
The Falcons lost the most successful senior class in program history to graduation, including career rushing leader Owen Sloan, career receiving leader Hayden McFadden and kicker A.J. Brown, who will play collegiately at Baldwin-Wallace. Record-setting quarterback Kael Lewis returns for his senior year. He has offers from Ashland University and Walsh. Don’t be surprised if Hillsdale is in the hunt for an elusive Wayne County Athletic League title. The Falcons haven’t won a WCAL crown since 2014. Hillsdale moved up to Division VI and will compete in Region 21 with reigning state champ Kirtland, among others. Coach Trevor Cline is 70-28 in eight seasons.
Love high school football? So do we! 🏈
Stay ahead of the game with exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and expert analysis from veteran sports reporter Curt Conrad.
