Times Observer photo by Jon Sitler Warren head coach Mark Morelli and the Dragons look to get back in the win column on Saturday at Franklin.

It’s back to business for Warren tonight.

The Dragons had won six straight dating back to last season before a beating at the hands of Class 5A Cathedral Prep last week.

Warren returns to Region 5 play at 7 p.m. today at Franklin.

“We just simply need to take care of our own business, play the game the way we are capable of,” said Warren coach Mark Morelli, whose Dragons are 2-1 overall and 2-0 in region. Franklin is 0-3 and 0-1.

“Erie Cathedral Prep was deleted from our system before we even got on the bus to leave Erie last Friday,” said Morelli. “This is a mature team with excellent leadership. We are good to go.”

On to Franklin, “a young team … having growing pains,” said Morelli. “They play a lot of underclassmen. Their fullback is their main ball carrier and they try to establish him. Coach (Jim) Penley and Eisenhower did an effective job against Franklin last week. We hope to follow in the same manner.”

Senior Carson Wible leads the Knights with 189 yards in three games (5.4 yards per carry). Their quarterback is a sophomore, throwing a touchdown and three interceptions on the season.

Franklin is fresh off a 55-14 non-region loss at the Pasture of Pain. The Franklin Knights have given up 42, 41 and 55 points in three games, respectively.

Warren, on the other hand, averages about 130 yards passing and 130 rushing per game. The Dragons have outscored region opponents 59-14, including a season-opening shutout.

“I know I sound like a broken record, but these kids have such a different mindset,” said Morelli of the Dragons. “For them, playing football is serious business. We have kids that are willing to work and get better every day. They have the drive to succeed. There are no egos. This is a team that is motivated to achieve its goals. Trust me, it is fun coaching this group of kids; they make coaching a lot easier when they have this no-nonsense attitude.”

With last year’s starting quarterback, senior Landon Douvlos, out with an injury, the Dragons will continue to roll with sophomore Eric Dippold (six TDs, six INTs).

“Team health is hit and miss,” said Morelli. “We have kids in a quarantine mode due to COVID, but most of our key guys will be playing Saturday night. Unfortunately, the news is not good for Landon; knee surgery set for October with a seven-to-nine-month recovery period. The MRI on his knee showed more damage than originally thought. A major disappointment for Landon and our team; he is a senior and he worked so hard to be ready for his senior year. This also means he misses wrestling season. It is not something that is easy to accept when you lose your senior season, but we will do our best to make sure Landon knows he is still an important part of our team and one of our captains.”