Andy Close
FRANKLIN, Pa. – On to the next one.
The Warren Dragons knew what they were up against last week against the Cathedral Prep Ramblers. They put their best foot forward, and while the result wasn’t what they wanted, the fact of the matter is that they still sit at 2-1 overall and 2-0 atop the Region 5 standings.
They’ll get a chance to improve upon that mark when they travel to Franklin to take on the winless Knights for a 7 p.m. Saturday night kickoff.
Warren owns wins over Conneaut and Harbor Creek and has seen sophomore quarterback Eric Dippold throw for 382 yards and six touchdowns. Tommy Nyquist (205 yards) and Ethan Senz (159 yards) have formed a nice 1-2 punch in the backfield. Ben White (199 yards receiving, three touchdowns) has been Dippold’s favorite target.
Defensively, linebackers Kody Vega and Nick Pennucci lead the way with 19 tackles apiece, while Derek McMeans has 14 tackles and an interception, Alan McAllister two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks and Easton Hultberg 1.5 tackles for loss.
Aside from the Prep game, that defense has been dominant, shutout out Conneaut and yielding just 14 points to Harbor Creek.
They will be facing a Franklin team that has struggled. The Knights lost to that same Harbor Creek team, 42-7 and they have also lost to Fairview (41-7) and most recently Eisenhower (55-14).
Cole Buckley is 12-for-38 passing for 159 yards, one touchdown and three interruptions for the Knights, while Carson Wible (189 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Tobias Sanchez (72 yards, one touchdown) lead the way on the ground. Hunter Marsteller (3 receptions, 63 yards) and Wyatt Bell (3 receptions, 21 yards, 1 TD) are Buckley’s favorite targets.
The two teams met in Week 2 last year, a 35-12 Warren victory. The Dragons have won four straight against the Knights and are seeking theire second 3-1 start in the last three years (they also began 2019 3-1).
