Toronto hosts Wickliffe looking to get elusive playoff win

HOSTING IN THE FIRST ROUND — Zeb Kinsey and Toronto will host Wickliffe on Friday night to open the Division VI, Region 21 playoffs. – Andrew Grimm

TORONTO — The Toronto football team is looking to redeem itself after last season’s early playoff exit.

The Red Knights wrapped up a spot in the postseason two weeks ago, and Toronto faced a stiff a challenge last week against Wheeling Central in the regular season finale. The boys from the Gem City battled for all 48 minutes, however, the boys from Jefferson County came up one play short as the Maroon Knights escaped Clarke Hinkle Field with a 29-27 victory.

“Our kids fought hard,” first-year Toronto (7-3) head coach Jaret Aubiel said. “It is time to move on to the playoffs. We are excited about the opportunity of playing in the playoffs.”

The game against Wheeling Central helped prepare for the upcoming postseason.

“Absolutely,” Aubiel said. “What a team to prepare you for the playoffs. They are a quality team. I have a lot of respect for them. Coach (Mike) Young has been there for a long time. I can’t say enough good things about Wheeling Central. We are excited about hosting a playoff game Friday night.”

The Red-and-White have gotten better since the start of the season, however, there is still room for improvement.

“I still don’t think we have played our best football,” Aubiel said. “We have developed. I was happy with our execution and our effort. Other than one play, I thought we called a good game. Hopefully, we can play a good game this week.”

Toronto – the No. 7 seed – is set to open the playoffs against No. 10 seed Wickliffe at 7 p.m. Friday night at home in the first round of the Ohio Division VI, Region 21 playoffs.

“They are a quality opponent,” Aubiel said. “The teams in the tournament are there for a reason. They have speed on offense. They have speed on defense. They are solid up front. We are excited about the challenge.”

Wickliffe has defeated Chippewa (2-8), 42-7, St. John School (3-6), 24-14, Cardinal (1-9), 39-19, Cuyahoga Heights (5-4), 37-18, Independence (4-6), 33-14, Brooklyn (2-8), 42-8, and Beachwood (0-10), 44-7, in Week 10.

“They are more of a running team,” Aubiel said. “They run a spread Wing-T. Playing Wheeling Central the week before is really helpful for us.”

Wickliffe has lost to Orange (7-3), Berkshire (7-3), 38-0, and Trinity (6-4), 16-0.

“Defensively, they run a 3-4,” Aubiel said. “They run Cover 1 and Cover 3. There are pros and cons of both when you try to attack them. We are excited about the gameplan, and we are excited to get after it.”

After starting the season off at 2-0, the Blue Devils lost three out of their next four games before finishing the regular season on a four game winning streak.

The Red Knights have lost in their playoff opener in each of the past three seasons. Last season, Toronto was defeated in the first round of the Division II, Region 25 playoffs by Norwalk St. Paul by a final score of 56-20. The game was played at home.

The loss to the Flyers has provided motivation for the Red Knights going into this week’s game.

“Absolutely,” Aubiel said. “We have some playoff demons we need to exercise. We want to change the narrative of the Red Knights and the playoffs.”

The Blue Devils last played a playoff game in 2020. That season, Wickliffe was the No. 1 seed in the Region 21 playoffs. Wickliffe won its first two games by defeating Smithville, 41-0, and LaBrae, 21-16, before falling to Norwayne, 20-13.

Toronto claimed the OVAC Class AA title for the second straight season. It is the first time in school history the Red Knights have accomplished that feat.

“It is really cool,” Aubiel said. “It’s a nice honor, but our kids and coaches have bigger aspirations for this week and the weeks to come.”