Andy Close
WARREN, Pa. – The calendar may say it’s early June, but the Warren Dragons football team was hard at work last week, conducting a 3-day minicamp.
This was the first opportunity for many players to interact with the coaching staff, under the direction of first-year head coach Cody Bupp.
“We had 58 kids attend the 3-day minicamp,” Bupp noted. “We spent time going over offensive and defensive install, as well as seeing who will be contributing on special teams.
“We are always interested to see how kids change over the winter and spring, and it was encouraging to see the physical growth and maturity. We had some fun on the last day and had a mini combine for the kids to get some measurables that we will test again before camp starts to push themselves over the summer workouts.”
The Dragons went 5-5 a year ago under Mark Morelli, who retired after the 2022 season, narrowly missing out on a District 10 Class 3A playoff berth.
Bupp noted the relative youth of the team that will take the field this season but was encouraged by the turnout and the improvement.
“We’re going to be a very young team, but it was very encouraging to see the turnout,” Bupp said. “We told the kids that it takes everyone to buy in, and they came out and competed all week. There is a ton of potential out there, and we expect some of these younger kids to take the jump and contribute right away.”
Youth will definitely be served, as players will step into key roles at the varsity level for the first time. Bupp also said that the senior class has done a great job of leading the way, pushing themselves and the younger players.
“I can’t say enough about the senior leadership I’ve seen so far,” Bupp said. “They know the expectation and the standard for the program. They are pushing and encouraging their teammates to put their best foot forward and compete with each rep. We’re looking forward to taking the momentum and excitement from this week into summer workouts.”
