WARREN, Pa. – There might be new turf under their feet, but the Warren football team will have a familiar foe in its face as the Dragons welcome Region 4 rival Oil City to the newly renovated War Memorial Field Friday night.
The new turf at War Memorial was deemed ready for play earlier this week, answering one lingering question for the Dragons this summer. They may get the answer to just what kind of team they’ll be in 2022 against the Oilers on Friday.
Junior quarterback Eric Dippold is back to run the offense after throwing for 1,366 yards with 15 touchdowns and 15 interceptions last season. He loses his top target from a year ago (Ben White – 769 yards, 10 TDs), but does have Cayden Wright (14 receptions, 181 yards, two touchdowns) returning.
The Dragons also return a dynamic rushing combination in senior Ethan Senz (72 carries, 374 yards, six TDs) and junior Tommy Nyquist (129-852-7)
Defensively, Warren will have to find a way to replace the production lost with the graduation of Justice Greene, Easton Hultberg, Kody Vega, and Gage Shaffer. Those four combined for 213 tackles and 21 sacks last season. Warren will have leading tackler Nick Pennucci back to lead the defense.
Cam Crocker and Ethen Knox are two of the top returners for the Oilers. Knox burst onto the scene a year ago, rushing for 1,825 yards in just eight games with 14 touchdowns as a sophomore. Knox and Crocker finished first and third on the team respectively in tackles last season, with second-leading tackler Kevin Pearsall also returning.
Kickoff from War Memorial Field is set for 7 p.m. The YDL Sports Network will be live streaming the game with an airtime of approximately 6:40 p.m.
