The Hilliard Bradley Jaguars and Hilliard Darby Panthers boys soccer teams kick off the 2026 season against each other Aug. 14, in the crosstown rivalry Bradley calls the Battle of Hilliard.
Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at The Jungle, Bradley's home field, according to MaxPreps. The Bradley Boys Soccer account on X advertised a 5 p.m. start when it announced the game Aug. 12.
The non-conference match marks the fourth straight year the two Hilliard programs have opened their seasons against each other. Darby, which calls the series the "Cat Cup," leads the recent rivalry 2-1.
Recent series history
Last year's edition was a nine-goal thriller. Darby won 5-4 on Aug. 15, 2025, behind a first-half hat trick from Samuel Gonzalez, a penalty kick from Cason McDonald and the game-winner from Esteban Mogollon.
Bradley answered in 2024, beating Darby 2-1 on Aug. 16 to start that season 1-0. In 2023, Darby dominated 5-0.
The series is tight.
A Bradley win Friday would square it at 2-2 over the four-year stretch.
What's ahead
Bradley reached the OHSAA sectional tournament last fall, where the Jaguars drew Grove City in Round 1. Darby's program carries a history that includes a 2017 district championship and OCC titles in 2007 and 2012.
After Friday's opener, Bradley travels to Westland on Aug. 18 (7:15 p.m.), then visits Springfield on Aug. 22 (12:45 p.m.) before hosting Marysville on Aug. 25 (7 p.m.).
Darby's schedule shows the Panthers heading to Hayes in Delaware on Aug. 18 (7:15 p.m.), then hosting Grove City on Aug. 20 (7 p.m.) and Beechcroft on Aug. 22 (2:30 p.m.).
