Toronto takes high-flying offense to Leetonia Friday
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LEETONIA -- The Toronto football team looks to continue its winning ways this week against Leetonia.
The Red Knights and Bears are set to do battle at 7 p.m. Friday night at Leetonia.
""I'm happy with our offense," Toronto (3-1) head coach Eric Meek said. "Our offense has come a long way since the beginning of August. Our blocking has gotten much better. Up front we have Avery Watkins at center, our guards are Luke Fogle and Trent Wright, our tackles are Carson Meek and D'Andre Thompson and our tight end is Travis Hill. Other than Luke and Avery, the rest are all underclassmen. They have really improved since the beginning of August. Our pass protection has been good. We have only punted the ball two times in our last three games."
Toronto rallied to defeated Southern Local 44-41 last week at home thanks to quarterback Nathan Karaffa's rushing and passing abilities.
"Our passing game has come along with Nathan Karaffa at quarterback and our receivers," Meek said. "We also found a pair of underclassmen tailbacks last week in Kobe Herrick and Garrett Dozier. They did a good job for us."
The Bears enter the game 0-4. So far this season, Leetonia lost to Lowellville 41-0, Mathews 62-25, Chalker 17-14 and Columbiana 62-0 last week.
Roman Ferry makes big plays for the Leetonia offense. Last week, he ran for 105 yards on 15 carries.
"They like to run a double slot with their quarterback under center," Meek said. "They have a fullback. No. 2 (Ferry) is a very dangerous player for them in the slot. He comes in motion. They use the I-formation, and they also use a spread. They like to get the ball to (Ferry). He is also dangerous on their return teams."
The Bears play a 4-4 defense and blitz their linebackers, similar to the Indians last week.
The Red Knights enter the game on a three-game winning streak. Toronto defeated Bridgeport 60-22, Edison 34-13 and Southern Local after falling on the road to Shadyside 48-14 in Week 1.
The Red Knights gave up a lot of yards and points to the Indians last week.
"Coach (Jerry) Vinci is our defensive coordinator, and he came up with a great game plan last week," Meek said. "We had guys where we needed them to be, but they did not make the play. Give credit to Southern Local. We have to make the play. I will say at the end of the game our defense stood strong while they were making their last drive, and that helped us come away with a win."
Toronto enters play this week ranked sixth in the Ohio Division VII Region 25 rankings one spot below fellow EOAC member Lisbon.
"It's way too early for that stuff," Meek said. "It's not October. When we get into October, we play what we call October football. It doesn't feel like that. It was 80 degrees today, and its going to get hotter. There is a lot of football left to play."