TORONTO — The Toronto football team got off to a fast start against Buckeye Local, and the Red Knights made a plethora of big plays leading to a big win.

The Toronto offense totaled seven touchdowns in the first half, and the defense intercepted four passes before halftime as the Red Knights rolled to a 44-8 victory Friday night on senior night at Clarke Hinkle Field.

“We started fast,” Toronto (8-1) head coach Jaret Aubiel said. “Our offense got rolling, and that was big help. Our defense played well, too.”

The loss drops the Panthers to 2-7 on the season.

Toronto drove right down the field for their first score on their first drive of the night. Facing a fourth down at the Panthers 17, Caden McGrath ran for the first down. However, he fumbled the ball inside the 5, and fortunately for the Red Knights, Drake Bouscher recovered the ball for a touchdown to give Toronto the early lead. Michael Henry kicked the extra point to give the hosts a 7-0 lead with 9:47 left to play in the first quarter.

The Toronto defense forced Buckeye Local to punt on its first drive of the game, and the Red Knights took over at their own 19. Two plays later, the boys in red were in the end zone once again. On first down, Henry hooked up with Brody Close for a 30-yard reception out to the 49, and then Fair followed that up with a 51-yard touchdown run to extend Toronto’s advantage to 13-0.

The extra point was no good, keeping the Red Knights up by 13 with 7:31 remaining in the quarter.

Colt Joynson intercepted a pass on the Panthers’ next offensive possession, and the home team took over at their own 48. The victors scored a touchdown on their third straight drive when Drake Bouscher broke through the defense for a 49-yard score, and Henry split the uprights on the PAT to increase the Red and White’s advantage to 20-0 with 5:25 still to play in the first.

Toronto came up with another big play on defense on Buckeye Local’s next drive as Jackson Gibson intercepted a pass to give Toronto the ball at the Buckeye Local 34. The victors appeared to add to their advantage when Fair caught a short pass from Henry before flipping the ball back to lineman Chase Heckathorn rumbled down the sideline for an apparent score. However, the play was called back due to a penalty. A completion by Fair and another by Bouscher advanced the ball down to the 14, however, Henry was stopped short of the marker on fourth down enabling the Panthers to take over the ball at their own 11.

This time, Max Rebich intercepted a pass, and he returned down to the visitors 6. From there, McGrath ran for a touchdown to make the score 26-0. The extra point was missed for the second time in the ballgame, keeping the difference at 26 points with 48 seconds left in the quarter.

“Our defense played well,” Aubiel said. “We definitely played complimentary football tonight. All the credit goes to my assistants and the kids. Everyone did a great job tonight.”

The Panthers were unable to get anything going on their ensuing drive, and the boys in the white jerseys were forced to punt for the second time. Following the punt, the Red Knights took over at the Buckeye Local 43, and then Henry hooked up with Fair for a 45-yard score to make it a 32-0 ballgame. This time, the extra point was blocked keeping the score the same with 8:27 remaining to be played in the second.

Buckeye Local punted for the third time, and the Panthers were able to pin the Red Knights deep in their own end as Toronto started its next drive at its own 2.

It didn’t matter as Fair broke through the defense on his way for a 98-yard score for Toronto’s sixth touchdown of the game. The Panthers blocked the extra point for the second straight time keeping the score 38-0 with 7:06 left to play before halftime.

Another Panthers punt back the Red Knights up deep in their own end as Toronto took over at the 4, however, Buckeye Local was able to take advantage as the Panthers tackled the ball carrier in the end zone resulting in a safety to make the score, 38-2.

Toronto kicked the ball back to Buckeye Local, and the Panthers moved the ball a little before Joynson intercepted a pass for the second time to give the ball back to the Red Knights at their own 3. Following a run by McGrath, Fair broke free for a long gainer all the way down to the Buckeye Local 23. The run covered 64 yards, and Bouscher followed that up with a 23-yard touchdown run of his own. Buckeye Local came through with their third blocked kick of the half to keep the score at 44-2 with 1:50 remaining in the half.

The Panthers turned the ball on downs, giving the ball back to the Red Knights. Toronto then took a knee to run out the time and bring the running clock into play.

Buckeye Local received the ball to start the second half, and the Panthers drove down the field for their first touchdown of the night. Chase Worwa capped off the march with a 2-yard run. This time, it was Toronto that came up with a block on the extra point to keep the score 44-8 with 7:19 left in the third.

Toronto got the ball back at its 37, and a run by Bouscher moved the ball down to the Buckeye Local 37. A run by McGrath gained 2 to the 35 setting the stage for the Toronto seniors to exit the game. A run on fourth down came up short at the Panthers’ 29 turning the ball over on downs.

The Panthers punted on their next possession, but Buckeye Local got the ball back when the Red Knights turned the ball over on downs at their own 45. A mishandled snap brought the ball back to the Panthers’ 42. A 15-yard penalty on a Buckeye Local run moved the ball down to the Toronto 34. Another run by the Panthers moved the ball down to the 22, but Buckeye Local chose not to run another play allowing the time to run out bringing the game to an end and letting the celebration begin.

The Knights have eight seniors on their roster.

“These seniors are special to me,” Aubiel said. “When I came to Toronto, they were freshmen. I have been with them throughout their high school careers. It was awesome to see them go out at home with a win on senior night.”

The Red Knights have clinched a playoff spot in Ohio Division VI, Region 23. They are currently in position to play a home game in the first round.

“We will see what happens,” Aubiel said. “We play Brownsville Friday night, and that is our focus right now.”

Toronto is scheduled to end the regular season against Brownsville Friday night on the road.

Buckeye Local is slated to play rival Harrison Central at 7 p.m. Friday night at home down at World War II Memorial Stadium.