Times Observer File Photo From the left are Warren senior quarterback Landon Douvlos and sophomore running back Tommy Nyquist.

Warren’s 2020 high school football season started with a COVID quarantine and a 28-0 loss at Conneaut.

After losing three of four to start the season, the Dragons won four straight to finish 5-3. Fifth-year head coach Mark Morelli said the winning vibe that ended last season has carried over to this year. Warren’s first test comes, again, against Conneaut at 7 p.m. tonight at War Memorial Field.

“Opening games are full of unknowns,” said Morelli, “however, I’d like to think we had a normal summer much like we did in 2019, so our kids are as prepared as they can be. This team has a different vibe to it. Our overall team leadership has been better. Our coaching staff expects this team to be competitive and continue the recent stretch of winning seasons that Warren has experienced and, if we can navigate through a difficult region, a playoff game is also in reach.”

That says a lot about a team that lost more seniors than you can count on two hands.

A big part of last year’s momentum change was now-senior quarterback Landon Douvlos, who threw for 1,230 yards and 10 touchdowns, and broke the program’s single-game passing mark with 396 yards in a win over Moniteau.

“Our skill positions are as talented as anybody’s, they are just lacking varsity game experience,” said Morelli. “(Sophomore) Tommy Nyquist is going to be a key performer this year; he brings some elusiveness to our offense, he is quick and shifty. (Junior) Ethan Senz and (sophomore) Sam Harvey have stepped up to provide the power and the blocking in the backfield. All three players are underclassmen. Kody Vega, as a senior, has stepped up in a big way to fill our leadership void.”

Senior Ben White provides speed on the outside and is one of Warren’s returning starters on offense along with a bulk of the line.

The Dragons return five starters on defense.

“Defensively, (senior) Rashad Fofana has bulked up from lifting during the offseason and moved to outside linebacker. He has had a solid summer with his physical play. (Junior) Nick Penucci is banging the door down to play somewhere on defense and we will need to find some reps for him.”

Conneaut finished 3-3 last year and was very competitive despite a late start due to COVID.

This year’s Eagles have a lot of growing up to do, with a new coach and mostly new starters on both sides of the ball.

“As we told the team, it is the quality of their players not the quantity,” said Morelli. “They come to Warren with 26 players, about the same amount they had last year, and they beat us 28-0. We can’t look at their squad size and think it is going to be an easy game. They have a big 230-pound fullback and a quarterback who will be a handful as he likes to run. We have to stay focused. Last year we were down 6-0 and Conneaut scored two touchdowns in a minute span at the end of the second quarter to take a 21-0 lead into halftime. That sequence was the game changer.”

The Dragons will try to beat the brand-new Conneaut line at the snap.

“Our defensive line may be the strength of our team,” said Morelli. “Coach Kevin Reagle and Coach Andy Egger have really instilled a nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic with those guys. They looked very impressive in our scrimmage. (Junior) Alan McAllister and (senior) Easton Hultberg can cause a lot of havoc for opposing teams. Justice Greene — at 6-foot-5 — is an imposing defensive end.

“Offensively, we have three starters back on the line,” said Morelli. “They have provided the core to build around. Logan Smith takes over at center; he may be at 180 pounds, but he is our strongest player and he is an unselfish team player. Our other position up front has been a steady summer-long competition between Tristan Dolan, Isaac Werth, and Eddie Johnson. Dolan is the starter, but he needs to keep working on improving his fundamentals.”

Conneaut returns just two starters on defense, but has to adjust quickly with some very physical teams in District 10, Region 7.