Toronto pulls away from Catholic Central
Knights clinch home field in round 1, both teams make playoffs
STEUBENVILLE -- Heading into Saturday's battle with rival Catholic Central, Toronto knew it needed a victory to earn a home game for the opening round of the Division VII, Region 25 playoffs.
Mission accomplished.
The Red Knights, now 7-3 and winners of three straight, used big plays to score early and often and collect a dominating 54-0 triumph before a large crowd inside Harding Stadium.
Josh Franke's club finished seventh in the region and will host 10th-seeded Lucas Friday. Central, 3-7, ended up 15th in the regional rankings and will travel to Lowellville, the No. 2 seed, to open postseason play.
Against the Crusaders, Toronto scored on its first offensive snap (a 42-yard sprint by Zane Kinsey) and never looked back. The Red Knights were up 41-0 at the intermission and the entire second half was played with a running clock.
"This is a game that our kids look forward to all year," Franke said. "They were excited to get out there and perform. This is one we don't have to pump them up for. They look forward to it.
"When they go out there and execute at a high level -- that's preparation plus adrenaline. They were executing on all cylinders and we hope we can carry that on to next week."
The Kinsey brothers (senior running back Zane and sophomore quarterback Zeb) had monster nights for Toronto and had a hand in all the Red Knight touchdowns.
Zeb Kinsey put Toronto's second score on the board via a 43-yard run. He then connected with Nolan Dickinson for a 40-yard scoring toss to make 21-0 after one quarter of play.
Early in the second after a Central fumble, the Kinseys hooked up for a 77-yard pass play. Zeb followed with a 58-yard jaunt and Zane closed out the first half with a 41-yard sprint.
Zane returned the second half kick 82 yards to pay dirt and the game's final touchdown came when Zeb picked off a Crusader pass and raced 33 yards.
Freshman Michael Henry was successful on six extra point attempts.
"They are pretty good football players and we are lucky to have them," Franke said of the Kinsey brothers. "Not only are they good players but they are great kids -- high character players. I'm proud of both of them.
"They both have a very bright future ahead of them playing football."
Zane Kinsey finished with 97 rushing yards on just seven carries. He also had the one pass reception for a score. Zeb Kinsey ran for 115 yards on four trips and completed all three of his passes for 120 additional yards.
As a team, the Red Knights compiled 351 yards of offense while holding Central to 40 yards rushing and 28 passing. Toronto picked off three Crusader passes and recovered two fumbles.
"I wasn't real pleased with the way we played but give them credit," Central coach Eric Meek said. "I will tell you this -- I have been coaching Division VII football for a long time and when they have their full arsenal that might be the most explosive offense from a speed standpoint I have seen since the Wellsville team of 1994.
"I anticipate them making a very, very deep run in the playoffs."
Central's only real scoring threat came in the second quarter when B.J. Fallon connected with Michael DiCarlo on a passing play out of the Wildcat formation. DiCarlo lost the football as he was nearing the Toronto end zone, the Red Knights recovering.
UP NEXT
Lucas will bring a 4-6 record to Jefferson County Friday for the post-season opener. The Cubs, who hail from Richland County, have played an extremely challenging schedule.
"They are a heck of a good football team despite the 4-6 record," Franke said. "They have lost to two unbeaten teams (Mogadore and Crestview), two one loss team and a two-loss team. They play a very difficult schedule.
"But, that's Friday. We'll enjoy this victory, get to work next week and move forward from there."
Central will head to Mahoning County for its playoff game against unbeaten Lowellville. The Rockets are a high-scoring bunch, averaging 44 points an outing.
"It gives us an extra week of practice and another week to be around the kids," Meek said. "It gives us the opportunity to continue building camaraderie with our group.
"Tonight was not a good night for us but again give them credit. I have been saying this all year, I love this place. There are better days ahead compared to what you saw tonight -- believe me."
Toronto 54, Catholic Central 0
Toronto 21 20 13 0
Central 0 0 0 0
First Quarter:
TORONTO: Zane Kinsey 42 run (Henry kick)
TORONTO: Zeb Kinsey 43 run (Henry kick)
TORONTO: Nolan Dickinson 40 pass from Zeb Kinsey (Henry kick)
Second Quarter:
TORONTO: Zane Kinsey 77 pass from Zeb Kinsey (Henry kick)
TORONTO: Zeb Kinsey 58 run (Henry kick)
TORONTO: Zane Kinsey 41 run (kick failed)
Third Quarter:
TORONTO: Zane Kinsey 82 kick return (kick failed)
TORONTO: Zeb Kinsey 33 interception return (Henry kick)
RUSHING: Toronto 21-231-4 (Zane Kinsey 7-97-2; Zeb Kinsey 4-125-2; Bouscher 1-6; Board 6-10; McEwen 2-(-2); Filby 1-5); Central 38-40 (Fallon 10-15; Pergi 6-37; Ialenti 12-9; Dorsey 6-(-25); Williams 2-1; Rice 2-3).
PASSING: Toronto 4-5-120-2 (Zeb Kinsey 3-3-120-2; Hughes 1-2-0); Central 4-7-28-3ints (Ialenti 1-2-0-int; Fallon 1-1-30; Dorsey 2-4-(-2)-2ints).
RECEIVING: Toronto 4-120-2; (N. Dickinson 2-40-1; Zane Kinsey 1-77-1; Bouscher 1-3); Central 4-28 (DiCarlo 1-30; Pergi 2-0; Ialenti 1-(-2)).
FIRST DOWNS: Toronto 8; Central 5.
PENALTIES-YARDS: Toronto 3-35; Central 3-12.
PUNTS: Toronto 3-35; Central 8-28.
FUMBLES-LOST: Toronto 1-1; Central 3-2.