Western Reserve running back Timmy Serensky runs against East Palestine in a playoff game on Oct. 31, 2025 in East Palestine. (Photo by Ron Firth)

BERLIN CENTER — The Western Reserve Board of Education approved the Blue Devils’ move to the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference for the 2027-28 school year at its meeting on Monday. The vote was 5-0.

The Devils will replace Leetonia who will exit the EOAC at the end of this school year for the Northeastern Athletic Conference.

The EOAC will also consist of Columbiana, United, East Palestine, Lisbon, Wellsville, Southern Local and Valley Christian.

“We think Western Reserve will be a positive addition to the EOAC both competitively and collaboratively,” EOAC commissioner Howard Friend said.

Friend said he did not know why Western Reserve decided to leave the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Scarlet Division. Western Reserve athletic director Troy Radinsky could not be reached for comment.

Friend added that he believed Western Reserve will satisfy the need to bring quality and stability to the league.

“The move makes the league more stable and stronger,” Friend said.

All current members of the EOAC are also in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference. Friend said the league would make Western Reserve aware of that, but it would not mandate it.

“We will discuss it with them but they’re not starting until fall of 2027 so they still have some time,” Friend said.