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MASSILLON -- The Toronto football team continues to find ways to win games, and the Red Knights will look to continue its winning ways this week against a tough opponent.
This week, Toronto is set to battle Tuslaw at 7 p.m. Friday night up at William E. Kurtz Stadium.
Toronto enters this week coming off a 40-25 win against Jefferson County rival Edison last Friday night at Clarke Hinkle Field.
The Red Knights led the Wildcats, 26-25, in the third quarter with Edison getting the ball back on a free kick following a safety, however, the Toronto defense rose to the occasion and kept the Silver-and-Black off the scoreboard the rest away while Toronto tallied two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to pull away for the big win and to remain undefeated.
"It's been that way all season," Toronto (6-0) head coach Jaret Aubiel said. "Our defense got a top, and we got the momentum back. Then, our offense got going in the fourth quarter, and we ended up coming out on top."
In the fourth quarter of the game, Edison's Easton Willoughby went down with an injury, and he ended up having to be carted off the field on a stretcher and taken by ambulance to local hospital. Willougby ended up at UPMC in Pittsburgh before returning home Saturday.
"We were really happy to see that," Aubiel said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him and the Edison program. We are really happy to see that is the case."
The two teams met last season with the Mustang coming away victorious, 33-12, on the road.
"Last year, they came to Toronto, and they kind of put it to us," Aubiel said. "They are 2-4, but that does not tell the whole story. They have played an extremely tough schedule. They are in a tough conference. They are going to be a huge challenge for us."
Tuslaw enters this week's game coming off a 49-0 loss to Manchester last week at home. The Mustangs have lost two-straight games by a combined, 100-0. Triway defeated Tuslaw, 51-0, two weeks ago at home.
"They run the ball really well," Aubiel said. "They have some athletes on the outside. They do a good job of running the option. That's really tough to defend. You have to have extra preparation for it throughout the week."
Tuslaw opened the season by losing to Smithville, 21-14, before winning back-to-back games against Chippewa (14-13) and Caldwell (49-14) before falling to Orrville, 34-28, in overtime in Week 4.
"Defensively, they are really fast and physical," Aubiel said. "It is the same story as last year. They are well coached, and that shows up on film."
The Mustangs have faced good competition this season as the Smithies are 6-0, the Red Riders and the Titans are both 5-1 with the Chipps coming in at 4-2.
The boys from the Gem City made a similar road trip early this season as Toronto defeated Newcomerstown, 27-20, in Week 2 on the road.
"We went to Newcomerstown earlier this season, and that was about an hour-and-15-minute drive," Aubiel said. "It will be a similar distance this week. It will be the same thing next week. We have experience with long road trips. Hopefully, we will have the same result."
The Red-and-White have had issues turning the ball over, and that is something Toronto is going to have to avoid if it wants to come away with another victory.
"Not turn the ball over," Aubiel said asked what his team needed to do in order to be successful Friday night.
Toronto turned the ball over multiple times last week in its win against Edison.
"It's a rivalry game," Aubiel said. "The kids are excited. The kids are a little more amped up."
The Red Knights enter this week's game in good shape health-wise.
"We have nothing major," Aubiel said. "We are grateful for that."
Toronto is currently in third place in the Ohio Division VII, Region 27 playoff rankings behind Shadyside and Symmes Valley.