Correspondent file photo / Robert Hayes. Sebring head coach Anthony Agresta interacts with his players during a practice.

SEBRING — The new era of Sebring football is just on the horizon.

After a decade of decreasing numbers and undesirable results, the Trojans opted to make a switch. As opposed to the traditional 11-man football, Sebring will now field an 8-man team.

With the season fast approaching, the Trojans are excited to get this year underway. Perhaps even more excited than in years past.

“We’re really pleased with the progress,” Sebring coach Anthony Agresta said. “I think that the school and the administration’s decision to go 8-man has really kind of given us a little shot in the arm. I think the kids don’t feel like we’re going to be playing schools that dwarf us. You know what size schools we’re playing, they’re going to have a similar amount of kids, similar types of personnel. We’re excited. I think the kids are looking forward to the season.”

Agresta has said it before, but most of the adjustments came on the side of coaching. The players are still learning the same fundamentals. Like every summer, the Trojans have worked on blocking, tackling and moving the ball — there’s just three less players. The bones of the game are still there.

Most of the adjustments fall at the feet of the coaching staff.

“Pass routes are pass routes, you have to block and tackle, that’s never going to change,” Agresta said. “The schemes, the defensive fronts you’re going to see, how we’re exactly going to block those things, how we’re going to scheme those things, that’s been an adjustment for the coaching staff. The rules are the same as 11-man football, but the front you see and the offensive formations you see are a little bit different because there’s three less guys.”

That being said, the adjustments the players have had to make have been an easy transition overall.

OFFENSE

Joel Seals will be under center this season for the Trojans. The rising senior has played all over the field in years past, but will be the team’s field general. His athleticism is tailor-made for the 8-man game.

“He’s our best athlete and in 8-man football, you need a great athlete at the quarterback position, so that’s the best move there,” Agresta said.

Sebring has plenty of options at the skill positions.

At running back, Caiden Miller, Colby Kliffmueller, Tony Baddeley and Brandon Bahler will each be in the mix.

Kliffmueller and Logan Furry will highlight the wide receiver spots, with multiple other players like Zach Todd, Logan Culp and Aaron Belt fighting to be in the mix as well.

The benefits of the smaller roster are most apparent on the lines. Picking five linemen out of a 17-man roster is tough. The task is a lot less daunting when it’s just three.

“We started last season with 17 kids and I think we finished with 15 kids that were healthy,” Agresta said. “You’re trying to find 11 people to put out there on both sides of the ball, so you can imagine that nightmare. This year we’re dressing 19, possibly 20 and we only have to put eight out there. The dynamic is so much different. It’s hard to put it into words unless you experience it day-to-day. We can find three quality offensive linemen with 19 people, can you find five with 17 people playing football? That’s how (much of a difference it makes).”

That being said, Darion Baddeley will anchor the line on the inside at center, with Wyatt Sheen at left tackle and Steven Anderson.

DEFENSE

Those same names are going to take the field on the defensive line. In Agresta’s words, they’re just going to turn around to play defense.

At linebacker Tony Baddeley, and Miller will highlight the group, but Bahler and Belt will each see time as well.

The switch to 8-man allows for better rotations, and the team is using that to help cultivate depth and develop a better top-to-bottom lineup.

Seals, Furry, and Kliffmueller will be the Trojans’ secondary unit.

The special teams group hasn’t been figured out just yet, but they still have some time before the first game to solidify the unit. With a glut of skill position players, finding a kick and punt return man should be an easy task.

NEW BEGINNINGS

The most important thing to Agresta isn’t just the fact that the football program has a much better chance to survive. Because it’s bigger than football. It’s the band, it’s the cheerleaders, and it’s a space for the community to gather.

“We’re thrilled to death,” Agresta said. “Our marching band is a big deal around here and the community takes a lot of pride in that. Well, where do they play if we don’t have football? What are the cheerleaders doing? What’s the flag core doing? What are all these people that live within a mile of the stadium doing on Friday nights? That’s what you do in a community like this.”

While the road games in the league are a haul, the closest league opponent is in Sandusky, the Trojans will be riding in style. Agresta said the team has booked charter buses for the cross-state treks to St. Mary Central Catholic (Sandusky), Stryker and Toledo Christian.

The first game of Sebring’s new era is set for August 25 in a home contest against Chalker. They’ll play the Wildcats twice this season as well as a game against the Valley Christian JV squad.

byauger@tribtoday.com