Times Observer photo by Jon Sitler From left, Gage Shaffer (15), Easton Hultberg (69) and Derek McMeans (6) celebrate Warren’s 21-18 Homecoming win last week. Tonight, the Dragons play at 5-0 Northwestern.

It was a Homecoming game to remember.

But Warren has to quickly forget its 21-18 comeback win last Friday over Oil City and focus on Northwestern.

“It starts with leadership, and the leadership starts with our seniors,” said Warren coach Mark Morelli, whose 4-3 Dragons play at 5-0 Northwestern at 7 tonight.

“Our coaching staff had a concern as well about a possible letdown, but if anything the win has given the team a shot of adrenaline,” added Morelli. “This team has a maturity about them. They have a good football sense and understand what is going on. They know all about Northwestern being undefeated. They know all about Northwestern being 12-2 the past two years. They know all about quarterback Ryan Tewell.”

Added Morelli: ‘This will be the second week in a row we are facing the D9-D10 Player of the Week, so there is no time to rest on last week’s signature win. We are going to have to prove ourselves again and we are ready.”

Tewell threw for 249 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 55 yards and another score as the Wildcats downed Eisenhower, 48-7, a week ago.

“They are 5-0, they have an excellent coaching staff, and have dominated every team they have played,” said Morelli. “Tewell is their main man on offense; everything revolves around him and his fleet-footed receivers. Defensively, they are second in the entire D-10, allowing just 25 points on the year, an average of 5 points a game. They are an opportunistic group as last week they forced five Eisenhower turnovers. They won their region last season as well and are currently tied with Cochranton this year.

“Add it all up and our kids are really looking forward to this challenge,” said Morelli. “We have been put to the test throughout the season. We have been competitive in every game, but the Cathedral Prep game, that includes Meadville as we were only down 13-0 at the half. Northwestern has rolled over everyone and it has not even been close. I am sure they look at us being a 4A school and feel like a win for them gives them a nice dose of momentum heading into the playoffs. The reality of it is this game has all the similarities as our game did last year versus Sharpsville, a talented double-A school versus a battle-tested 4A school.”

As good as 5-0 looks, Warren rides the momentum of a second half that saw sophomore quarterback complete 9 of 9 passes, sophomore running back Tommy Nyquist had 52 rushing yards in the half, as well as a 50-yard touchdown pass, and senior receiver Ben White had two long TD catches. Warren’s defense held Oil City scoreless in the second half, including limiting stud running back Ethan Knox to 20 yards on 8 carries in the fourth quarter.

Dippold took over this season when senior Landon Douvlos was lost for the season due to a knee injury. He has thrown for 12 touchdowns to six different receivers and 916 yards. Tewell, a senior, has thrown for 1,013 yards with 16 touchdowns and no interceptions.

But big-play ability is on both sides of the ball — Warren’s White has opened eyes around District 10 with a 28.4 yards per catch average (17-482) and seven touchdowns. Cayden Wright, Nyquist and Gage Shaffer also average double-digit yards per reception. Nyquist averages over 6 yards a carry rushing with six combined touchdowns. Ethan Senz has rushed for three more scores.

“Practices have gone well,” said Morelli. “They are motivated, they are focused. We have a few of our kids back who were out due to the COVID regulations, so things continue to be very positive with the football team.”