TORONTO — The Toronto football team takes pride in its physicality as the Red Knights won the battle of the trenches in each of the first six weeks of the season.

Unfortunately for the boys from Jefferson County, that changed last Friday night as Tuslaw was the more physical team en route to a 33-12 victory at Clarke Hinkle Field to spoil Toronto’s Homecoming night.

“They were more physical,” Toronto (6-1) head coach Jaret Aubiel said. “We talk to our kids about being physical. We came up short, and we are looking forward to getting back at it this week.”

Following wins, coaches tell their players to enjoy that night, but they have to get back to work the next day. Losses tend to linger for longer than celebration after a win.

“You spend some time processing it,” Aubiel said. “You go back to the drawing board. We came out today and had a good day. We are looking forward to getting back after it.”

This week, Toronto will look to get back on track as Monroe Central comes to town for a 7 p.m. Friday night inside the Gem City. The Seminoles have won their last two games after starting off the season at 1-4.

“They run the football,” Aubiel said. “They are big up front. They have a really good quarterback. They do some things schematically that causes problems.”

Monroe Central defeated Shenandoah, 35-12, last Friday night at home.

“They run different fronts,” Aubiel said. “They make it tough on you. They have guys with good speed. They have guys with size. They are physical.”

Along with its win against Shenandoah, Monroe Central has also defeated River (21-14) and Magnolia (47-12), so far this season. On the other side of the ledger, Monroe Central has lost to Liberty Union (21-20), Bellaire (44-27), Caldwell (41-0) and Barnesville (48-7).

Both teams have the ability to control the line of scrimmage.

“I would say we are about even size-wise,” Aubiel said. “They have big guys, and we have big guys.”

The Red and White know what it is going to take to come out with another win this week.

“We are going to have to play physical, we are going to have play a clean game and we will see where we are at,” Aubiel said.

The Red Knights are seventh in the Ohio Division VI, Region 23 standings, while the Seminoles are in 18th place. The top 12 teams in each region qualify for the playoffs this season, with the top four teams receiving a bye in the first round.