BEAVER TOWNSHIP — At 64 years of age, most people are preparing for retirement as they look to kick back and relax in their golden years.

Anthony Agresta, head football coach for the Sebring McKinley 8-man football team, isn’t most people.

With participation numbers down in many sports at schools in the Mahoning Valley and across the state, Agresta, who is in his fourth season with the Trojans, sees an upswing in interest nationally in the 8-man game.

“In doing research, the 8-man game in the United States dates back to 1934,” Agresta told the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly meeting at Avion Banquet Center. “Currently, 40 out of 50 states are playing our game but Ohio remains well behind in providing football to as many students as possible.

“A decade ago, there were over 1,500 schools in the United States who were competing in 8-man football but that number has grown significantly since then.”

Agresta played quarterback for Ohio High School Football Coaches Association hall of fame coach Byron “By” Morgan, earning two letters — he earned four letters overall, also lettering twice in baseball — under his mentor while playing for Mayfield High School from 1976-78.

It was Morgan who helped him launch his coaching career, which is now in its 36th year overall.

“I had the opportunity to play for Coach Morgan and what a great experience that was,” Agresta said. “He taught us discipline, leadership and the intricacies of the game. And with my coaching career now in its fifth decade, I have Coach Morgan to thank because he gave me the opportunity to serve on his staff at my alma mater back in 1984.”

While serving as principal at Youngstown Christian (now Valley Christian) High School in 2005, Agresta was a driving force behind starting the Eagles’ football program where his son, Aaron, currently serves as head coach.

Agresta then moved to Louisiana in 2007 where he served as defensive coordinator for two seasons at Northlake Christian High School, then spent 10 years as its head coach from 2009-18, leading the Wolverines to the playoffs on seven occasions.

He moved back to Ohio in 2019, served as head coach at Steubenville Catholic Central High School for three years before moving back to Youngstown in 2022 and has been at Sebring the past four years.

He said the 8-man game continues to grow with more than just a casual interest from both athletes and players every year.

“The transition is not all that difficult because the rules are essentially the same,” Agresta said. “The field is a bit narrower, only five men are required on the line of scrimmage and there are no uniform number requirements for position. It is football as you know it and actually, more kids want to play now because they realize they will be playing schools the same size and with numbers similar to theirs.”

Agresta said there are multiple upsides to the 8-man game.

“Two positives are the competition level and playing in the correct positions, based on size and skill sets,” he said. “Scheming defensively, however, has been the most difficult thing for which I have had to adjust.”

As he looks to the future, Agresta and other coaches are hoping that the Ohio High School Athletic Association will add a playoff structure and the opportunity to compete for a state championship.

“There is currently no OHSAA state playoff, but the Northern-8 Conference has run its own championship and playoffs since 2019,” Agresta said. “Convincing smaller schools with small rosters and football communities that this is better for their athletes is also a challenge.”

The Trojans are currently 2-2 this season after posting a 34-6 win over Cardinal Stritch on Sept. 13.

Up next, the team will travel to Danbury High School for a game with the Lakers on Oct. 3.

They conclude their eight-game schedule with a home game versus Chalker on Oct. 10, then end play with road games at Stryker High School on Oct. 18 and Kennedy Catholic (Pa.) on Oct. 25.

Next Monday, YSU grad Sonny Vaccaro, the innovative leader who pioneered sneaker endorsements for college and professional teams and players, and on whom the movie Air was based, will serve as guest speaker.