WELLSVILLE — After a brief hiatus, the rivalry between the Toronto football team and Wellsville will be renewed this week.

The Red Knights and Tigers are set to meet at 7 p.m. Friday night up at Nicholson Stadium.

The two river rivals last met in 2022 with the Red Knights coming out on top, 34-6, in Week 1 at Nicholson Stadium.

“It is an important game for the Gem City,” Aubiel said. “Wellsville is a big rival. At one point, I think it was the longest tenured rivalry in the state of Ohio. We are excited to have Wellsville back on the schedule.”

Toronto enters the game coming off a 34-6 victory last week up at Lowellville, 34-6.

“I told the kids all week that it was going to be a physical game,” Aubiel said. “It was going to come down to which team could control the line of scrimmage. Our offensive line did a better job controlling the line, and our skill players made plays. Defensively, we did a really good job. Now, it is on to Wellsville.”

On the other side, Wellsville enters the game fresh off a 59-0 loss at East Canton.

“They definitely want to run the football,” Aubiel said. “Their quarterback is good in space. Their quarterback can run the ball. He can hurt you with his legs as well as his harm. They are going to be a challenge for us.”

Toronto opened the season by shutting out Southern Local 34-0, at home at Clarke Hinkle Field. The Indians and Tigers primarily want to run the football.

“They are a little different scheme-wise, but Wellsville and Southern both want to run the football,” Aubiel said. “They are going to be a challenge for our defense.”

Wellsville opened the season with a 26-15 loss to Catholic Central at home.

“Defensively, the run a tough scheme,” Aubiel said. “They run a 3-4. Their outside linebackers walk up to the line of scrimmage. That can cause us some problems. We’re looking forward to the challenge. We’ll see how we do Friday night.”

Toronto used to open the season against Wellsville, however, the Red Knights opened the season the past two years against the Hornets.

“Their quarterback is a very good runner, and he caused some problems for East Canton,” Aubiel said. “We are going to have to do what we can in practice to prepare for them game, and we are going to let the chips fall where they may Friday night.”

The Red and White have outscored their opponents, 68-6, so far this season, and Toronto is looking to put forth another strong showing against Wellsville.

“We have to execute our gameplan, play a clean game and hopefully, that results in a win for us,” Aubiel said.

The Red Knights are in good shape health-wise heading into their game against the Tigers.

“We have the normal stuff, but nothing too serious,” Aubiel said. “Hopefully, it stays that way.”

Toronto plays Newcomerstown next week and the Trojans defeated the Red Knights last season at home, however, the boys from Jefferson County are not looking ahead to that game but our entirely focused on this week’s game against the Tigers.

“This is definitely not a trap game,” Aubiel said. “We are looking forward to playing Wellsville. It is a big rivalry game. We have not played them for a couple years. We’re up for the challenge.”

Wellsville is coached by Jim Tsilimos, who spent a brief time as the head coach at Lowellville before resigning and taking over the Tigers’ program.

“It’s good that we are playing them again,” Aubiel said. “We have a good fan base. They come out and support us. We are looking forward to playing in that atmosphere.”