Toronto welcomes tough Southern squad
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TORONTO -- The Toronto football team is not looking past Southern Local.
The Red Knights and Indians are set to do battle at 7 p.m. Friday night at Clarke Hinkle Field in the the first game of EOAC play.
Both teams come into this week sporting 2-1 records. Toronto is entering this week coming off of a 34-13 win at Edison at Cartwright Memorial Field, while Southern Local is coming off of a 28-0 loss to Shenandoah at Wigwam Stadium.
"Any time you beat your rival, it is a good night," Toronto head coach Eric Meek said. "We did not have any turnovers. We have eight or nine underlcassmen starting, and we are continuing to improve. We have not had a turnover now in two scrimmages and three games.
"We did a good job offensively. I thought we could have had a few more scores, but give Edison credit. They were able to control the ball and the clock. Defensvely, we did no tackle well in the first half. We did not tackle with the right technique. We picked it up in the second half, and we were able to come away with a 34-13 win."
The game will be Southern Local's first road game of the season.
"They have played on turf the last three weeks," Meek said. "The kids just play. We are going to get their best effort, and we want to give them our best effort. Hopefully, it is a good game."
Led by a strong running game, Southern Local has shown the ability to put a lot of points up on the scoreboard.
The Indians scored 99 points in the first two weeks of the season as they defeated Bridgeport, 40-22, and Conotton Valley, 59-0. The Bulldogs and Rockets are both winless on the season, while the Zeps are undefeated.
Running back Will Grodhaus is a threat out of the backfield running and catching, and quarterback Tyler Milhoan is a dual threat as a runner and a passer. Cam Grodhaus is a big-play threat as a wide receiver.
"They like to mix it up," Meek said. "We have some youth on defense, but we are getting better every day. This is game No. 4, and we want to be better than we were in games 1, 2 and 3. (Will) Grodhaus is a really good runner, and then you have the other Grodhaus who is a receiver in the slot. We are going to have to watch out for the pass.
"We are going to have to have a good day defensively. We are going to have to continue to improve. Our defensive coaches are doing a great job at practice every day getting the kids ready to play."
The Red Knights have also shown the ability to put a lot of points up on the scoreboard as the Red Knights have scored 108 points in three games. Toronto lost 48-14 to Shadyside in Week 1 before bouncing back and defeating Bridgeport, 60-22, in Week 2 at home.
Quarterback Nate Karaffa and wide receiver Jake Keenan leads Toronto's offense. Karaffa ran for three touchdowns and threw for two in the Red Knights victory over the Wildcats.
Meanwhile, Keenan has scored seven touchdowns this season. Keenan scored five touchdowns against Bridgeport and had one against Edison and one versus Shadyside. Keenan has five touchdown receptions, while running for one and returning a punt for the other.
Defensively, the Indians love to bring pressure.
"They love to blitz up the middle on every play," Meek said. "We have to be able to pick up that blitz, whether we are trying to run or pass. We may have a chance for some big plays if we are able to pick up the blitz. We have to give our quarterback time to throw the ball."
Southern Local defeated Toronto in four straight seasons from 2008-2011. The Indians defeated the Red Knights, 42-15, back in Week 3 of the 2011 season on the road.