Information on the conference has been compiled from primary sources, the Akron Beacon Journal, and the Ravenna Evening Record (later the Ravenna-Kent Record-Courier), two Ohio newspapers both available on microfilm at the Kent State University library.
The Portage County League was composed entirely of Class A schools, and Southeast and Crestwood had outgrown that classification.
At the time, Windham was a four-year high school that operated on the three-year plan; in other words, to be classified as Class A, or small division, they had to play only sophomores through seniors, and they were allowed only 115 boys in those three grades.
The Bombers had been basketball district winners the previous year, he knew the Windham team of Coach Dick Schlup would be superb in the 1957-1958 season (indeed, their final record was 18-2), and he did not want Mogadore, which looked to have a powerful Class A squad, to have to face them.
The State Commission ruled 4-2 against the Bombers, in spite of the fact that the use of freshmen in early season games was a common practice statewide.
Windham seems to have been next in line, as Boyko was identified in an Evening Record article as the league secretary-treasurer on November 25, 1958.
Windham, coached by Leo Kot, won the football championship in 1958, and the Evening Record reports that they received a trophy.
The 1961 team made it all the way to the state championship, losing to Liberty Union as local legend Bob Higgins pitched back-to-back 9 inning games in less than 24 hours.
Ravenna, coached by Clair Muscaro, won the basketball title in both 1960 and 1961, in battles that went to the last week of the season.
Mogadore was not invited to join the league, and Windham, which was holding out for that concession, became the final Tomahawk Conference member to sign on.