A Stark County school’s football season opener has been canceled.
Northwest High School’s scheduled game against Norton, set for Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, will not be played after Norton City Schools announced the cancellation due to illness affecting student-athletes.
The district said the decision was made in consultation with nursing staff, with health and safety serving as the top priority.
“We know how much our community looks forward to supporting our student-athletes each week. However, the well-being of our students must always come first,” Norton Athletic Director Travis Dobbins said in a statement. “We appreciate the understanding of our families, fans and Northwest Local Schools as we make this difficult but necessary decision.”
Norton officials added that the district remains committed to the safety of students and staff and thanked the community for its support.
