Andy Close
YOUNGSVILLE, Pa. – Warren took an early lead in Saturday’s non-region game against Fairview, but ultimately came out on the short end of a 34-14 final.
Eric Dippold connected with Tommy Nyquist on an 83-yard touchdown pass that, coupled with the two-point conversion, gave Warren an 8-0 lead just 90 seconds into the game.
The Dragons moved the ball well between the 20s for most of the game but were unable to capitalize on enough opportunities, including fumbling the ball at the Fairview 10-yard line on their second drive of the game.
“We jumped out to that 8-0 lead and then it was 8-6 and then we were driving again hoping to tack onto the lead. We fumbled, they got the ball, drove the length of the field to take the lead and that was one of the bigger plays, a turning point in the first half,” noted Warren coach Mark Morelli.
Fairview accumulated 312 yards rushing on its way to the win.
Charlie Chevalier accounted for 110 yards and a touchdown and Tyler Corbin carried nine times for 94 yards and two scores and also threw for 74 yards in the win.
Fairview (3-2) responded to Warren’s opening score with a 43-yard touchdown run from Jared Gennuso on its initial offensive possession. Gennuso had 73 yards on seven carries before exiting the game due to injury in the second quarter.
After Warren fumbled at the Fairview 10, the Tigers drove the length of the field and capped off the drive with Cavalier’s 3-yard touchdown run to make it 14-9 with 7:29 to go in the second quarter, which proved to be the halftime score.
Corbin scored on a 6-yard run in the third quarter and broke free for a 40-yard score with 8:42 remaining in the fourth quarter to make it 27-8.
“The second half, we drove the ball, but every time we seemed to get in scoring range, our penalties killed us,” Morelli said. “It’s kind of the same story as last week (a 10-7 win over Conneaut). We get something good going and we lose our focus and we start committing dumb penalties.”
Cayden Wright, who finished with nine receptions for 95 yards, made a circus 20-yard touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone on a pass from Dippold, but the Tigers put the game out of reach on their next drive, with Jacob Truitt scoring his first varsity touchdown on a 2-yard run. Trutt finished with 58 yards on the ground.
Truitt put the finishing touches on the Tigers’ win, intercepting Dippold in the end zone with under two minutes to play.
In addition to the rushing, Jeremy Frazao led the Fairview with three receptions for 33 yards.
For Warren (2-3), Dippold completed 22-of-33 passes for 187 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Nyquist finished just shy of 200 yards of total offense, catching six passes for 134 yards and also adding 50 yards rushing on 11 carries.
“Overall, we gave a much better effort tonight (than we did last week),” Morelli said. “It’s just one of those nights. Fairview’s got some nice athletes. They’re a good, solid ball club. We knew coming in that it was going to be one of those nights where a break here or there was going to be the difference in the game. Second half, we just couldn’t shut them down.”
