Toronto faces a key test welcoming CV

ANOTHER BIG GAME — Zeb Kinsey, Drake Bouscher and the Toronto football team have a big game Friday night when they host Conotton Valley. – Andrew Grimm

TORONTO — The Toronto football team got back on track last week, and the Red Knights are looking to keep things rolling this week.

After losing to Edison in Week 5, Toronto rebounded by defeating Jefferson County foe Buckeye Local, 42-3, via mercy rule last Friday night at Clarke Hinkle Field.

“We fixed things at practice,” Toronto (5-2) head coach Jaret Aubiel said. “We have to do it together. We played well. We had a good week of practice, and it translated out onto the field.”

The victory against the Panthers was an important one for the Red Knights as they look to secure their spot in the postseason.

“It was very important,” Aubiel said. “We still have some goals we want to accomplish, and last week put us back on track.”

The boys from the Gem City are looking to continue its winning ways this week as Toronto is set to play Conotton Valley (5-2) at 7 p.m. Friday night at home.

“They’re having a good season,” Aubiel said. “They are 5-2. They have the same record as us. They do some things well offensively, and they do some things well defensively. They are a solid team. We are looking forward to the challenge Friday night.”

After starting the season at 1-2, the Rockets have won four straight games.

“Offensively, they like to run the spread a lot,” Aubiel said. “They run three by one and quad. They like to throw the football. We’ll have to see how our defense handles it.”

Conotton Valley opened the season by defeating Tuscarawas Central Catholic, 39-6, before losing in back-to-back weeks to Malvern (35-20) and Newcomerstown (50-0). Since then, Conotton Valley has defeated Strasburg (39-6), Bridgeport (41-6), Buckeye Trail (26-24) and Frontier (46-20).

“Defensively, they have shown multiple looks,” Aubiel said. “They will run a four-front four sure. We will see what coverages they run and adjust from there.”

The Rockets have some size up front on their offensive and defensive lines.

“They have got some size up front,” Aubiel said. “I would say we are pretty even.”

The recipe for success for Toronto comes down to creating big plays on offense and making big plays on defense.”

“We are going to have to limit turnovers, and we are going to have to create turnovers,” Aubiel said. “We are going to have to limit big plays, and we are going to have to create big plays.”

The Red Knights shut out the Rockets, 48-0, last season on the road.

Toronto enters this week ranked sixth in the Ohio Division VI, Region 21 rankings.

Conotton Valley is currently in fifth place in the Division VII, Region 27 rankings.