LEETONIA — The Northern 8 Football Conference, representing 8-man football in Northern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, announced on Tuesday that it will hold the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association 8-man state championship game on Nov. 8 at Leetonia High School.

Leetonia athletic director Nick Sferra said the school district recently came to an agreement with the league to rent the facility. Sferra is adamant that Leetonia will not be going to 8-man football, however.

“I think they reached out to us because they liked our facility and looked at us possibly going to 8-man in the future,” Sferra said. “We are not going to 8-man football.”

Sferra said last year’s 8-man football state championship played at Fremont’s Don Paul Stadium between Toledo Christian and Sandusky SMCC last season with Toledo Christian winning its second straight state title. Sferra said he was told 2,700 attended that game. Leetonia’s capacity is 2,500.

The time of the game will depend on who is playing that day. If the teams are nearby, it could be a day game. Even though last season’s state title opponents were relatively close to each other the game was played at night.

Sferra said representatives from Leetonia’s marching band will work the concessions and the band will benefit from those sales. Leetonia will receive $1,000 from the field rental and will not have to supply any workers beyond the concession workers.

Nearby members of the Northern 8 Conference are Sebring, Southington and Sharon (Pa.) Kennedy Catholic. Lynn Groll, Northern 8 Football Conference commissioner, said Sebring athletic director Anthony Agresta secured the location for the league to use.

“We are excited to have our 2025 state championship game at Leetonia High School this fall,” Groll said in a statement. “Thank you to the administration at Leetonia High School for giving the Northern 8 Football Conference a chance to showcase 8-man football at its facility, which we feel will provide a great setting for a championship game. We are honored to be partnering with the OHSFCA again this year and can’t thank them enough for their continued support of 8-man football in Ohio. Also, thank you to Sebring Local Schools athletic director Anthony Agresta for facilitating the process of securing a championship site.”

Game notes

• The Ohio High School Football Coaches Association has only sanctioned the last two state titles, but unofficial 8-man state titles stretch back to 2020. Toledo Christian has won three, but the Eagles departed 8-man football to begin playing 11-man this season. Toledo Christian is a Division VII program is currently 0-3, including a 42-0 loss at Rootstown in the season opener.