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YORKVILLE -- Throughout the season, the Toronto football team has shown the ability to get up off the canvas and to win games in the late rounds.
That was not the case last week as Toronto ran out of luck against Monroe Central. The Seminoles landed some heavy blows, and the Red Knights were not able to recover as Monroe Central came away with a 39-0 victory via mercy rule last Friday night at home.
"It was just one of those nights," Toronto (7-1) head coach Jaret Aubiel said. "Give credit to Monroe Central. Their coaching staff came up with a good gameplan. Once things started to spiral, we could not stop it. We will learn from it and move on."
Despite the loss, the boys from the Gem City jumped up one spot from No. 3 to No. 2 in the Ohio Division VII, Region 27 playoff rankings, and the boys from Jefferson County have once again secured themselves a spot in the playoffs.
"It is definitely a goal every season," Aubiel said. "We want to make the postseason, and we want to make a run. Friday night may not have gone our way, but there was still something positive to come out of it."
The Red-and-White has made the playoffs for eight-straight seasons.
This week, the Red Knights are looking to get back on track as Toronto takes on Jefferson County rival Buckeye Local at 7 p.m. Friday night down at World War II Memorial Stadium.
The Panthers enter this week's game coming off a 54-7 loss via mercy rule to Union Local last Friday night on the road.
The Panthers had a difficult time getting anything going on offense against the Jets, and Buckeye Local was unable to slow down the Union Local offense.
"Their physicality upfront on both sides of the ball was the difference," first-year Buckeye Local (0-8) head coach Hayden Daley said. "We could not get anything going on offense. They lived in our backfield whether we tried to run the ball or pass. Like you said, (Brody) Perzanowski is a beast. He's a stud. We couldn't tackle him. Their offensive line did a good job of opening holes for him to run through."
The Panthers have faced a brutal schedule this season as eight of their first nine opponents have winning records. Buckeye Local has faced two undefeated teams – River and Barnesville – and four teams with seven wins – Shadyside, Martins Ferry, Union Local and now Toronto. The Pilots are the lone team to defeat the Tigers this season, while the Purple Riders gave the Jets their lone loss before falling to the Shamrocks last week at home. Also, Bellaire and Catholic Central are both 5-3 on the season, and Oak Glen is 3-4 following its loss last week at East Liverpool. The Pilots and the Red Knights have each handed the Golden Bears a loss this season.
"They have played a really-tough schedule," Aubiel said. "They definitely do some good things. They are well coached. You can see it on the film. Their schedule has not been easy, but those guys are doing a heck of a job coaching them up. They are going to be a challenge for us. They do a good job."
Buckeye Local has been able to move the ball at times this season, however, the Panthers have had difficulty finishing off drives and putting points up on the scoreboard.
"They like to spread the ball around," Aubiel said. "They run some good option concepts. They do a good job running the counter. There are some things they definitely do well. They are going to be a challenge for us."
On the other side, the Red Knights have scored at least 27 points six times this season, and Toronto has the ability to make big plays in the passing game as well as in the running game.
"They have several good receivers – Kenny Jett and (Colt) Joynson," Daley said. "They also have (Brody) Close at tight end. They certainly have a lot of weapons they can get the ball to. They have (Drake) Bosucher at running back. He's a very-good running back. You don't want to sleep on him. They can get the ball to some different guys. (Max) Rebich can make every throw on the field. I don't know if he is healthy or not, but when he is healthy he is a great quarterback. They like to spread the ball out."
The Red Knights have had success running and throwing the ball so far this season.
"They are pretty close to 50-50," Daley said. "Watching film on them, you might not expect that, but they are balanced. Bouscher is going to get his fair share of carries. When they do throw the ball, they do like to throw it down the field. They like to take shots, but they also like to get the ball to their receivers in space. They can run quick screens or hitches, and they can make big plays without having to throw the ball deep."
Defensively, Toronto has allowed seven or fewer points four times this season, including shutting out Southern Local in the season opener.
"They run a base three-down," Daley said. "Defensively, they will give you some different looks. They like to load the box with their safeties and with their linebackers. In the secondary, they run a base cover four. They will mix up their coverages."
Buckeye Local has allowed 40 or more points seven times this season.
"Defensively, they run a 3-4," Aubiel said. "They get to the football. They are fundamentally sound on defense. They are going to be present some challenges for us."
The Panthers are going to need to be able to run the ball to have success against the Red Knights.
"We are going to have to find a way to establish or running game," Daley said. "We were not able to establish the run last week. We are going to have to be able to run the ball so that will open up our passing game. First and foremost, we are going to have to establish the run against their tough defense."
Toronto has had some issues with turnovers this season, and the Red Knights are looking to clean that up this week.
"We want to limit our turnovers, and we want to control the line of scrimmage," Aubiel said.
While Toronto has made the playoffs every year since 2019, Buckeye Local once again finds itself eliminated from playoff contention in Division V, Region 17.
The Red Knights defeated the Panthers, 44-8, via mercy rule last season at home at Clarke Hinkle Field.