File photo Warren running back Marvin Bryant runs past Bradford defenders during a game at War Memorial Field. Bryant, new head coach Mark Morelli and the Dragons are looking to rebound following a 1-9 season.

With the official start of football season right around the corner, first-year Warren coach Mark Morelli, his staff and players in attendance for most of their summer sessions have been working hard to get the Dragons back on track following a 1-9 campaign in 2016.

“We did not have a bad summer – we probably averaged between 18 to 28 players a session. No doubt it was an adjustment period for the players with the transition, but I have always been a believer in getting as much work done as possible in the summer,” Morelli said.

“We are doing well in some areas and in other areas we have to improve,” he said. “But you can see the improvement in our squad as the summer has moved along. Now the real season begins.”

One area where Morelli and his staff would like to see some improvements is in the numbers.

The Dragons do have some key players returning, including starters, QB Jake Kupchella, WR/LB Kohl Nosel, RB/LB Marvin Bryant, OL/DL Andrew Egger, OL/DL Connor Rosborough, WR/DB Devin McMeans WR/DB Mitchell Bryant, LB Ryan Munksgard and OL/DL Evan Tremblay, as well as a solid core group of players coming over from Youngsville, led by RB/LB Noah Myers, OL/DL Mason Benjamin, OL/DL Justin Eck and LB Dylan Burt.

More are expected, however.

“If there is one area where my staff and I are disappointed, it’s with our numbers,” Morelli said. “Right now, we have 36-38 players who have received equipment, which includes Youngsville. This is a major letdown for us. Back in February/March, we had 65-70 players signed up – where they have gone is a mystery.

“We felt at the time we could not combine with the ninth grade – 95 players was too many, now this happens. I’m hoping we can piece together enough players for a JV Team. We are in good shape with our ninth grade program – close to 30 players.

“Youngsville is a perplexing problem as well. Warren has six players on the varsity from Youngsville. Back in February, 30 signed up at a meeting. We held another meeting on May 15 and six showed up. I’ve heard everything from transportation to kids won’t play due to the ‘hate’ for Warren. The Warren-Youngsville merger won’t be the first nor the last across the state. The Erie schools recently consolidated and those parents and players in those schools adapted and are doing fine. I am not from here and I am unbiased so I can this – I do not buy the reasons I have heard. I have seen a co-op work with other schools. It can be done if everyone approaches things with an open mind, forgets the boundaries and forgets the past.”

Despite the disappointment at the numbers, Morelli and his staff remain optimistic not only about the season, but that those numbers will get better.

“It is my hope that we can get a few more players out before Monday’s official start of practice,” he said. “If any player is interested, pleased report to Beaty Field at 3:50 p.m. on Monday. A bus will be provided for those players from Youngsville, leaving YHS at 3 p.m.”

File photo
Warren running back Marvin Bryant runs past Bradford defenders during a game at War Memorial Field. Bryant, new head coach Mark Morelli and the Dragons are looking to rebound following a 1-9 season.