Northwestern (West Salem)

Team at a glance

• Division: 6
• School colors: Blue and Gray — OHSAA nickname/colors directory; ☐ reconfirm the current palette with school.
• Conference: Wayne County Athletic League.
• Head coach: Patrick Rufener — public staff and latest roster history; ☐ confirm current appointment.
• Last season (2025–26): 1–22 overall, 1–13 league; public team report lists a 74–33 loss to Manchester on February 25. Confirm tournament round. Season history; results.

Returning players

Player notes reflect dated Preview records. Confirm final participation and varsity roles with the school.

2026–2027 Schedule

Available schedule entries from the Preview are listed below. This may be a partial schedule. Confirm final dates, opponents, times and venues with the school.

Source: MaxPreps schedule (checked September 30, 2026). November–December are 2026; January–February are 2027. Home/away follows the public listing; times and event venues remain subject to school confirmation.

View the published schedule

• 11/30 — at Black River — 7:00 p.m.
• 12/2 — Mapleton — 7:00 p.m.
• 12/4 — Dalton — 7:00 p.m.
• 12/11 — at Norwayne — 7:00 p.m.
• 12/16 — Chippewa — 7:00 p.m.
• 12/18 — Waynedale — 7:00 p.m.
• 12/28 — at Wellington — 7:00 p.m.
• 1/2 — at Central Christian (Kidron) — 6:30 p.m.
• 1/6 — Smithville — 7:00 p.m.
• 1/11 — Mansfield Christian — 7:00 p.m.
• 1/15 — at Hillsdale — 7:00 p.m.
• 1/22 — Norwayne — 7:00 p.m.
• 1/25 — at Waynedale — 7:00 p.m.
• 1/29 — at Dalton — conflicting early listing — 5:30 p.m.
• 1/29 — at Dalton — conflicting later listing — 7:00 p.m.
• 2/5 — at Chippewa — 7:00 p.m.
• 2/6 — at Open Door Christian — 7:00 p.m.
• 2/10 — at Lake Center Christian — 7:00 p.m.
• 2/12 — at Smithville — 7:00 p.m.
• 2/19 — Hillsdale — 7:00 p.m.

Team sources

View team details on MaxPreps

Details reflect the dated Preview sources. Final rosters and schedules remain subject to school confirmation.

October 24 Roster and Schedule Update

The master lists multiple opponents on 2027-01-29: Dalton — conflicting early listing / Dalton — conflicting later listing. Confirm the correct event and opponent with the program.