The Blanchard Valley Conference announced Monday it is exploring the possibility of expansion.
The BVC is considering moving beyond its nine football-playing schools plus making 10 for other sports beginning with the 2026-27 school year and is accepting letters of interest until April 22.
There are 11 teams currently in the BVC, but Liberty-Benton is leaving the league after the 2025-26 school year and will join the Northern Lakes League. Despite low numbers, Vanlue still is playing football but does so as an independent.
Other current members include Riverdale, Ada, Arcadia, Arlington, Elmwood, Leipsic, McComb and Van Buren.
The most recent change to the league was Ada and Leipsic rejoining for the 2024-25 school year. Elmwood joined the year before.
With the breakup of the three-division Sandusky Bay Conference, the Northern 10 Athletic Conference is taking on five of its members — Tiffin Calvert, Hopewell-Loudon, New Riegel, Old Fort and Willard — plus Lucas. Ten of the larger SBC schools — Bellevue, Clyde, Tiffin Columbian, Edison, Huron, Norwalk, Perkins, Port Clinton Sandusky and Vermilion reportedly intend to begin their own conference.
That leaves Danbury, Gibsonburg, Lakota, Margaretta, Fremont St. Joseph, Sandusky St. Mary and Woodmore, with Northwood and Ottawa Hills set to join them from the Toledo Area Athletic Conference. That league will be left with only four members.
Although there has been little movement in other conferences, this call for membership could lead to additional changes.
The BVC said it will reach out to interested schools to discuss scheduling informational meetings before making decisions on invitations.
“This expansion is a pivotal moment in our conference, and we are confident it will bring substantial benefits to all participating institutions,” a letter from BVC Commissioner Bruce Bame said.
