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TORONTO -- Josh Franke, the new Toronto football coach, will be the first to say it doesn't get any better than this.
It, in this case, is Friday's season opener for Franke's Red Knights -- at home against arch-rival Steubenville Catholic Central. The kick is set for 7 p.m. inside what surely will be a jam-packed Clarke Hinkle Field.
"I told our kids this is a great opportunity," said Franke, a 2005 THS graduate. "You couldn't write a better movie script. I return to my home town, get the head coaching job and open the season in our stadium against our arch- rival. How does it get any better than that?
"Our goal from the day I got the job was beat Central. That will be a focus of ours for 365 days each year. It's an important game for us, no matter what month it is played."
Steve Daley, who's entering his eighth season as Central's grid boss, said his Crusaders will be ready for the short trip up state Route 7.
"Our kids are ready to start the season, and that provides plenty of excitement," he said. "Toronto and Central is always a big game. Being the opener makes it a bigger game. Given that we didn't play last year, makes it even bigger.
"I know Toronto always supports its football team. I'm sure there will be a big crowd, and there will be a lot of excitement around the game. We'll be ready for all that."
With Toronto's move to the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference in 2017, the annual slugfest between the backyard rivals was not able to be scheduled. The Red Knights will be leaving the EOAC at the conclusion of the 2018-2019 school year.
"It's Toronto and Central -- this should be the biggest game in the valley on opening night," Franke said. "I know people have a lot of questions about us, and they'll be looking for answers. There's a new coach, a new system and questions about who is playing where.
"People will want answers, and I expect a large crowd. This is a rivalry game, so tensions and emotions will be high. It should be a lot of fun. You can't ask for a better opening day."
After starting the 2017 season 4-1, Toronto stumbled down the stretch and finished at 4-6. Central, meanwhile, went 7-4 and qualified for the Division VI playoffs, dropping a heartbreaking 44-40 verdict to Chillicothe Southeastern in the opening round.
Both coaches indicated they were happy with the way two-a-day practices went.
"We got a ton accomplished," said Franke, who previously was a head coach at Middlesex High School in Virginia, Ashtabula Edgewood and Newton Falls. "Our kids had to learn new systems on both sides of the ball. It's never easy with a new coach, new terminology and expectations regarding how the new coach wants things done. They had to learn brand new language.
"Getting the job in June, we had a ton of ground to make up. I'm not sure if we are where I want us to be, but I feel we're in a pretty good situation coming out of camp."
Franke did inherit 21 lettermen and welcomed back nine starters on offense and eight on defense.
"We had a pretty good preseason and came out healthy for the most part," said Daley, who began the summer with 29 players and a boatload of starters on both sides of the ball. "We did lose Matt Kilonsky to an injury, which is unfortunate for him. He's a great kid and a good player. His injury definitely hurts us as far as depth is concerned.
"We liked what we saw in our two scrimmages. We did somethings pretty well, and the performances definitely reinforced the things we thought we would be good at doing. At the same time, the things we thought we would need work on became clear. I think that's a positive. We came back this week trying to get better in those areas."
Kilonsky, a senior, was scheduled to see time at split end and defensive back.
When fully healthy and with everyone dressed, Central will field a team of 26 players.
"We lost a couple of guys who decided football just wasn't for them," Daley said. "Sometimes, kids just don't see the level of commitment involved with football. It's a tough sport, and that's OK."
Offensively, the Crusaders will be led by lightning quick senior quarterback Justin Hartzell. In two seasons as a starter, he passed for more than 2,220 yards and run for another 1,400 plus. A season ago, he passed for 17 touchdowns and ran for 10 six-pointers.
Up front, Central returns three starters, led by senior guards Jordan Maul and Jacob Stoll.
"We saw Central in their scrimmages, and they have a very good ball club," Franke said. "Obviously, you tend to learn more about your rival than any other team you play.
"We've been working on Central for several weeks. We do respect them and the talent they have."
Toronto received a big boost when Nate Karaffa, the Ohio State University baseball commit, decided to return to football for his season. As a junior, the talented Karaffa threw for 1,290 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also ran for 858 yards and 14 additional scores. Unfortunately, due to a preseason injury, Karaffa is listed as a day-to-day.
"Nathan tweaked a knee," Franke said. "He's working with our trainer. He's an incredible athlete with a very promising future. We don't want to rush anything. We want to make sure he is healthy. We're not going to jeopardize his future."
If Karaffa can't go Friday, Franke knows he has options in juniors Zack Stackhouse and A.J. Clegg, along with sophomore Caleb Leasure.
"Zach also is an incredible athlete, so we have options," Franke said. "We talked with those guys about making sure they are ready if Nathan is not ready to go. They all got plenty of reps this summer because Nathan was not able to make any of the seven on seven camps. I'm confident they won't be phased if they have to step in and take on that role."
Daley was impressed by what he saw from the Red Knights in their two scrimmages.
"They are going to come after you defensively," he said. "They like to send pressure, get people to the ball and disrupt what you are looking to do up front. We have to be able to recognize their stunts.
"They also ran the ball fairly well, which is a good sign for them and a sign of concern for us. On one side of the ball this week, we'll be working on picking up the pressure, while on the other side, we'll be focused on stopping their running game."
NOTES
¯ Friday's meeting will be the 44th all-time between Toronto and Catholic Central. The Crusaders hold a 30-13-1 series lead. The Red Knights have won the last three contests.
¯ The first game between the Jefferson County rivals was played in 1937, with Toronto earning a 32-6 victory.
¯ Daley has guided is alma mater to six straight seasons of .500 or better. Central has made three trips to the Ohio playoffs under Daley.
¯ In its preseason poll, cleveland.com has Central ranked as the eighth best Ohio Division VI team. Additionally, the Crusaders are picked to finish third in Region 21 behind Kirtland and Mogadore.