The Bellefontaine Chiefs will kick off the 2026 high school football season on Aug. 21 with expectations running high as they look to bounce back from a 5-5 campaign a year ago and contend once again in the Central Buckeye Conference.

While the Chiefs graduated several key contributors from last season, Head Coach Jason Brown believes this year's group is ready to embrace new opportunities and continue building the program's culture.

One of the biggest storylines entering the season is the transition at quarterback, where Senior Blake Loomis is expected to take over as the team's signal-caller. Loomis has impressed coaches throughout the offseason and will be counted on to lead an offense that will feature several new faces at the skill positions.

“Blake is a really tough kid and has always done what was asked of him,” Brown said. “We are really excited for him to lead this team.”

Brown also praised the quarterback's growth during summer workouts.

“I think he surprised not only himself, but the whole team,” Brown said. “His improvement during our 7-on-7s was exciting to see.”

Helping ease Loomis into his new role will be an experienced offensive line. The Chiefs return multiple letter winners up front, providing valuable leadership and stability for an offense looking to establish its identity early in the season.

Offensively, Bellefontaine plans to remain committed to its spread attack, utilizing team speed and athleticism to create matchup problems and put pressure on opposing defenses.

While wins and losses remain important, Brown continues to emphasize the program's larger mission.

“We are here to build men,” Brown said. “We are going to represent the community around us and play hard.”

The Chiefs face another challenging road in the CBC Kenton Trail Division, where Jonathan Alder and London are once again expected to be among the league's top contenders after successful playoff runs last season.

With a blend of experienced linemen, emerging playmakers, and a quarterback ready for his opportunity, Bellefontaine hopes the 2026 season marks a return to its winning tradition and a climb back into the conference race.

The Chiefs open the season against the Sidney Yellow Jackets Aug. 21 at Sidney Memorial Stadium. 

Aug 21 | Sidney | Away | 7:00 PM 
Aug 28 | Bellbrook | Home | 7:00 PM 
Sep 11 | Ben Logan | Home | 7:00 PM 
Sep 18 | Indian Lake | Away | 7:00 PM 
Sep 25 | Kenton Ridge | Away | 7:00 PM 
Oct 2 | London | Away | 7:00 PM 
Oct 9 | Tecumseh | Home | 7:00 PM 
Oct 16 | Urbana | Away | 7:00 PM 
Oct 23 | Jonathan Alder | Home | 7:00 PM