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TORONTO -- A rivalry will be renewed this week as Jefferson County rivals Toronto and Edison are set to clash.
Both the Red Knights and Wildcats enter this week's annual matchup looking to continue their winning ways when they meet at 7 p.m. Friday night at Clarke Hinkle Field.
"They are really-well coached," Edison (2-3) head coach Mike Collopy said. "Coach Aubiel does a really-good job on both sides. They have a lot of guys who can plays. These use different formations. They have good skill people. Their offensive line gets to where it needs to be. The backs do a good job of reading the holes.
"Defensively, they are fast. They are athletic. Their linebackers are really good. Drake Bouscher is a really-good two-way player at tailback and linebacker. Colt Joynson is a really-good receiver. Kenny Jett is another good receiver. Max Rebich is a good quarterback. He has a good arm. He's well-coached.
"Their special teams are outstanding. They are right up there with the best. They have Kenny Jett and Colt Joynson as returners.
"They can pass. They can run. If you try to take one away, they can do the other. They are really good."
The Red Knights have a lot of respect for the Wildcats.
"Edison is a program we have a lot of respect for," Toronto (5-0) head coach Jaret Aubiel said. "Their head coach Mike Collopy is a coach I have a tremendous amoutn of respect for. It is awesome we are able to be playing a rivalry game this week. We're excited, and we know they are going to be excited as well."
Toronto comes into the game undefeated after defeating Oak Glen, 28-7, last Friday night at home on Homecoming.
"I thought offensively it wasn't our best game," Aubiel said. "We have some things we need to work. We have things we need to fix. It was another great showing by our defense. They played really well. I want to give major props to our Defensive Co-Ordinator Matt Ludewig for the work he has done. The guys on that unit have done a fantastic job."
The Red Knights have found different ways to win games this season.
"We are not satisfied, but being 5-0 is a good spot to be in," Aubiel said.
Edison enters this week's game coming off a 36-6 win against Weir last Friday night on the road up at Jimmy Carey Stadium.
"I am going to be straightforward, and I am going to be honest with you, I am happy we got the win, but we have moved on," Edison (2-3) head coach Mike Collopy said. "We have corrected our mistakes, and we have moved on to this week's opponent."
Both teams dealt with some harsh weather conditions early in the week as they prepare for this week's big matchup.
"I liked it," Collopy said. "Anytime you are able to be out in the elements, it is good. As a coach, you practice for an opponent. You practice for what they are trying to do to you and what you are trying to do to them. You do that, but you can't do anything about the elements. It is a good when you have the opportunity to be out in the elements, and prepare for the elements you may see down the road. I thought we had a really-good practice today. It's 2026, and we were able to practice on a grass field. The ball is slicker on a turf field. I thought we had a really-good practice today. Today, was a really-good for us."
The weather has improved as the week has progressed.
"The weather has finally turned," Aubiel said. "It's fall football weather. It has made things better."
The boys from the Gem City have a lot of firepower on offense as they have scored 27 or more points four times so far this season.
"You hear coaches talk about wanting to be 50-50, but they truly are 50-50," Collopy said. "They run different screens. They are very good in the passing game. Their quarterback goes through his progressions. They are good in the run game. They are able to do both. You cannot take both things away. You have to try and pick one. We are going to have to stop the run and tackle the pass. The wide receivers make big plays. We can't give up the big play. We have to make them sustain drives and drive the length of the field."
The Silver-and-Black has had success running the ball this season.
"Edison wants to run the ball," Aubiel said. "They are aggressive on defense. They run the ball really well. They have good athletes on the outside. They do a good job of getting those guys the ball. They are definitely going to present a challenge for us."
Edison has played well on the defensive side of the ball.
"They are fast," Aubiel said. "They are aggressive. They fly to the ball. Defensively, they are a good-sound unit."
The Red-and-White have been dominant on the defensive side of the ball as they have allowed seven or fewer points four times – with one of those times being a season-opening win via shutout at Southern Local.
"Defensively, Kenny Jett is fast off the edge," Collopy said. "You have Drake Bouscher at linebacker. They get to the football. They are fast on defense. Christian Briggs does a really-good job upfront. He's good against the run.
"They have been in some close games. They played a close game against Brookfield. The Newcomerstown game was a tight game. They are battle tested."
Special teams may play a key role in the outcome of the game.
"I thought our special teams improved last week," Collopy said. "They did a very-good job. We did have a mishap on a pooch kick. Our returners did a good job. We are getting better."
Toronto's special teams have played well all season long.
"They have Bouscher as their punter," Collopy said. "They have Kenny Jett returning kicks. Joynson is fast. We are going to have to play our best game."
The Red Knights are capable of breaking a big return at any moment.
"Our Special Teams Co-Ordinator Coach (Trevor) Host has done a really-good job," Aubiel said. "Coaching special teams in high school is one of the hardest jobs. He has done a fantastic job. Some weeks we use our veteran guys, and some weeks we have younger guys who are hungry go out and make plays. Our special teams have been sound this season."
A big crowd is expected Friday night.
"We are expecting a big crowd, and they are going to bring a big crowd," Aubiel said. "It is going to be a great atmosphere. It's small-town football that everyone loves to be a part of. We are excited to be a part of it."
The Wildcats know what it is going to take to have success against the Red Knights Friday night, however, that is easier said than done.
"Offensively, we are going to have to stay on schedule," Collopy said. "The amount of penalties we have had was decreasing, but they bumped back up last week. We had more penalties than we had in previous weeks. We are going to have to stay on schedule. We are going to have to convert on third down.
"Defensively, we are going to have to stop the run. We are going to have to be able to contain their speed. We are going to have to make them drive the length of the field. We cannot give up the big play. We have to be assignment sound. We have to be assignment sound, and we have to have good communication."
Turnovers may play a role in the outcome of the game.
"We need to win the turnover battle," Aubiel said. "We are going to have to play physical, and we are going to have to do our jobs."
The midpoint of the regular season has been reached, and Toronto comes into this game ranked fourth in the Ohio Division VII, Region 27 playoff rankings.
"In our first five games, there have been some good things and there has been some bad things," Aubiel said. "There are some things we need to improve on, but overall things are going well."
Meanwhile, Edison enters this week's ballgame in 16th place in the Division V, Region 17 rankings.
"We have to continue with our will win to win at practice," Collopy said. "We have to be more consistent with it. The will is there, but we have to be more consistent with it. By that, I am talking about our focus, and we have to pay attention to details with everything we are doing. You want to win your games, but as Bobby Knight said, your will to prepare has to be greater than your will to win. You have to be consistent. You need to have a good week of practice, and I am talking about the players and the coaches."
The Red Knights defeated the Wildcats, 48-34, last season on the road. Edison defeated Toronto, 35-19, two years ago at Toronto.