Spectator fights end Akron City Series football Friday night lights in 2026
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Akron Public Schools has moved City Series football games in Weeks 8, 9 and 10 to Saturday mornings after fights among spectators last week led to a game being called off at halftime.
The adjusted schedule — which was released by the district Oct. 7 — calls for three games to be played at 10 a.m. Oct. 10, 17 and 24. The three venues will be Buchtel's Tim Flossie Stadium, Ellet's Joseph B. Yost Stadium and Kenmore Stadium.
Buchtel led Firestone 20-0 at halftime at Ellet on Oct. 2 when fights broke out among spectators inside and outside the stadium.
Players and coaches from Buchtel and Firestone were in their respective locker rooms when APS officials canceled the game before the start of the second half because of the fighting.
Watch Ohio High School Football Live on NFHS Network all year
No players or coaches from Firestone or Buchtel were involved in the fights.
Several Akron Police Department cruisers and an ambulance arrived at Ellet's stadium during halftime. One person was arrested as police officers and security members gained control over the situation.
When asked Friday why the game was called off, Akron Public Schools Coordinator of Athletics Tom McKinnon said, "For the safety and security of everybody in the facility, it was deemed the best solution at this time was to call the game.
"… There was a fight in the stands and then it just continued outside of the stadium. No players or coaches were involved."
When asked if there were conversations to clear the stadium and parking lots to play the second half and finish the game with no spectators, McKinnon said, "We just wanted to make sure everybody at this point in time cleared the stadium and the area. The safety and the security of everybody involved was the most important thing. This is why we vacated the site. The game will not be completed at a later date. The game is over."
Buchtel coach Bryan Williams and Firestone coach RayShaun Nevins understood why the decision was made to call the game off at halftime.
“Just a bunch of chaos out there,” Williams said Friday. “In the stands, I think there were a bunch of fights. With the mace, and the police being called and being out there, they called the game. The refs told us to stay in [the locker room].”
Said Nevins: “I was just told the game was canceled versus postponed due to the circumstances that happened here inside the stadium during halftime.”
Updated Akron City Series football schedule for Weeks 8-10
Here is the updated Akron City Series football schedule for Weeks 8, 9, 10 in 2026:
- Saturday, Oct. 10
- East vs. North at Ellet (was scheduled for Ellet on Friday, Oct. 9)
- Ellet at Buchtel
- Firestone vs. Garfield at Kenmore Stadium
- Saturday, Oct. 17
- Firestone vs. East at Ellet (was scheduled for Ellet on Friday, Oct. 16)
- North vs. Ellet at Kenmore Stadium
- Garfield at Buchtel
- Saturday, Oct. 24
- Garfield at Ellet (was scheduled for Ellet on Friday, Oct. 23)
- Buchtel vs. East at Kenmore Stadium
- North vs. Firestone at Buchtel
- All games scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday with 7 p.m. Friday games being eliminated.
Akron Beacon Journal sports writer Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Spectator fights end Akron City Series football Friday night lights in 2026
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos