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WOODSFIELD -- The riverboat gambler made his return last Friday night, and this time it paid off in a big way for him and his Toronto football team.
Following a touchdown in overtime, Toronto still trailed Tuslaw by one point, however, head coach Jaret Aubiel opted to go for 2 and the win instead of settling for the extra point and the tie. Aubiel gambled proved to be the right call as running back Drake Bouscher broke tot he outside and ran it for the conversion giving the Red Knights a thrilling, 29-28, victory against the Mustangs on the road.
"It was good to see one go our way," Toronto (7-0) head coach Jaret Aubiel said. "We felt we had a good play call, and it all worked out."
Aubiel made the same decision in last season's regional quarterfinal playoff game against West Jefferson. The Red Knights trailed the Roughriders by seven late in the game. The boys from the Gem City scored a touchdown late in the game to pull within one point when Aubiel opted to go for 2 and the win. Unfortunately, the conversion attempted was not successful, and West Jefferson held on for a 21-20 win.
Following the game, Aubiel said he would make the same decision if he had to do it all over again. The boys from Jefferson County found themselves in a similar spot against Tuslaw, and Aubiel made the decision to roll the dice once again.
The Mustangs got the ball first in overtime, and Tuslaw scored a touchdown and kicked the extra point setting the stage for Toronto's dramatic victory.
"We made the decision as soon as Tuslaw scored a touchdown," Aubiel said. "Once they scored, I said, 'If we score, we are going for 2, right?' Everyone said yes. We made the decision before we scored."
The win was a big one for the Red-and-White, especially considering the Mustangs defeated the Red Knights last season at Clarke Hinkle Field.
"Tuslaw came to Toronto last year and put one on us, and last year's Toronto's team was pretty good," Aubiel said. "They are a quality opponent. Their record doesn't show it. They play in a tough league in a tough part of the state. Our kids were resilient last week as they have been all season."
The Red Knights have won games in a variety of ways this season, and Toronto looks to continue its winning ways when it takes on Monroe Central at 7 p.m. this Friday night on the road.
The Red Knights defeated the Seminoles, 35-21, last season at home. The game featured a viral moment when Toronto kicker's Michael Henry's kick was blocked, however, he ran forward, caught the ball out of the air and ran it into the endzone for a 2-point conversion.
"It was that game," Aubiel said. "It was a crazy play. It is one of the strangest plays I have ever been a part of. It worked out for us. He got some national recognition out of it. That was really cool."
The Seminoles come into this week's game off shutting out Shenandoah, 34-0, last week on the road.
"Monroe Central is a big-physical football team," Aubiel said. "What makes them scary is they also have a lot of speed. Their quarterback is a big kid. He can run the ball, and he can throw a good deep ball. They are going to be a real challenge for us."
Monroe Central is 4-3 with its losses coming against Edison, Barnesville and Wheeling Central.
"They are pretty balanced," Aubiel said. "They can run the ball and throw the ball. It is going to be a really-good game."
The boys from Monroe County have defeated Liberty Union, Bellaire and Caldwell along with Shenandoah.
"Defensively, they are big upfront, and they have speed on the back end," Aubiel said. "Their linebackers do a good job of getting downhill. They are going to be another challenge for us."
The game is the final home game of the regular season for the Seminoles, and Monroe Central is going to want to send their seniors out with a win in their final regular season game at home.
"We expect that, for sure," Aubiel said. "They are going to want to be the team to give us our first loss. We are expecting to get their best shot. That has been the case every week. We are going to have to prepare the best we can for Friday."
Turnovers have been an issue at times this season for the Red Knights, however, Toronto took care of the football in its win against Tuslaw.
"We only had one turnover last week after having four the week before," Aubiel said. "We did a good job with that. Hopefully, that continues."
The Red Knights are going to need to do the same this week against the Seminoles if they want to have a successful night on the road.
"We cannot turn the ball over, we are going to have to be able to run the ball and we are going to have to be able to get stops on defense."
Toronto enters this week in second place in the Ohio Division VII, Region 27 playoff rankings. The Red Knights control their own destiny when it comes to making the playoffs once again.