Ohio Flag Football team going to nationals

Staff report

For nearly the last six years, Mike Marantis has coached young football players in the Youngstown area. He has implemented his own strategies on how to play the game each year and embraces the struggles and challenges of getting the concepts through to the youngsters.

This year — it all came together.

“They stared to function like a team,” Marantis said. “They realized the importance of playing as one instead of has individuals and it’s paid off.”

Indeed it has.

Marantis and his Ohio Flag Football League is headed to Kissimee, Fla., for the 41st Annual USFTL national Flag Football Championships on Saturday and Sunday.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Marantis said.

The team, whose members include Christian Marantis, Carmen LeFoer and Andrew Parker from Poland, Andre Crump and PJ Hall from Canfield, Zachary Larrier from Boardman, Michael Liberato from Lake Milton and Dontres Mastronarde from Struthers, won five straight games at the regional tournament in Mentor back in November and December. They will compete at the U-11 division.

“We’re going to assume everyone is as good as us, if not better,” Marantis said. “It’s a best of the best and we’re lucky to be playing down there with them. It’s amazing.”

Along with Marantis, Michael Liberato and Dominic LeFoer also help with coaching. The team is sponsored by Omega Medical and Belleria.