TORONTO — The Toronto football team faces a big challenge this week as Wheeling Central comes to town to take on the Red Knights in their regular season finale.

The Red Knights — winners of three straight — will take on the Maroon Knights — winners of five straight — at 7 p.m. Friday night at Clarke Hinkle Field.

Toronto enters this week coming off a hard-fought 28-21 victory against Caldwell last Friday night on the road.

“It was a tough game,” first-year Toronto (7-2) head coach Jaret Aubiel said. “It was close throughout. It was a big night for them. It was their last game at the fairgrounds. It was a battle. Fortunately, we found a way to pull it out at the end.”

The Red Knights and Redskins battled it out on the gridiron for the whole 48 minutes of game time.

“Our guys dug deep,” Aubiel said. “They refused to lose. We did what we had to do to get it done.”

Wheeling Central comes into play this week fresh off a 49-12 victory against Carrick last week at home.

“They are a very good football team,” Aubiel said. “We watched film on them. They present a lot of issues. We are excited about the opportunity. It is going to be challenge.

“We are looking forward to playing in front of our home fans at Toronto. Hopefully, we can make them proud.”

The Maroon Knights started the season at 1-2 before winning their last five games to improve to 6-2 on the season.

“They have a lot guys who can carry the football,” Aubiel said. “Their quarterback can carry the football. He can run or throw. They’re physical up front. They are just a solid football team. They don’t have a lot of holes.

“They are going to be a challenge for us.”

Wheeling Central has defeated Midland Trail (43-6), Perry Traditional Academy (41-12), Ron Brown (55-20), Catholic Central (38-6) and Carrick during its current winning streak.

“The run a four front,” Aubiel said. “They are physical on their defensive line. They have speed. Their defensive backs can play man or zone. They are just a solid unit. Like the offense, they don’t have a lot of holes.”

The visitors from Ohio County opened the season by defeating James Monroe (28-6) before losing back-to-back games to Fort Frye (38-19) and Williamstown (36-25).

“We are going to have to play our game,” Aubiel said. “We can’t have turnovers, and we are going to have to get stops on defense. We’ll see what happens.”

Toronto clinched a playoff berth last week, and the Red Knights currently sit in fifth place in the Ohio Division IV, Region 21 rankings.

“It is a big game,” Aubiel said. “We talked to them at practice today about it. This could be their last home game at Toronto.

“It’s Senior Night. There is going to be a lot of emotions. We are excited about this opportunity.”

The boys from the Gem City have made the playoffs every year since 2019.

“It means a lot,” Aubiel said. “At this point in our life, we are just taking things week by week.

“We want to stay in the playoffs as long as possible. We think we have the pieces to make that run a reality.”

Toronto can wrap up a home game in the playoffs with a win against Wheeling Central, however, the Red Knights would still have a shot at hosting a playoff game even if the Red-and-White come up short against the Maroon Knights this week.