Warren rematch with McLane comes in D10 playoffs
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Warren coach Mark Morelli said he and the Dragons are well aware there are people picking against them in today's District 10 4A playoff semifinal against General McLane at 7 p.m. at Titusville High School.
They don't care.
He said Warren's football team is right where it should be.
"They have a determined look to them," said Morelli of the Dragons.
Warren is 5-4 overall and the No. 3 seed in the four-team bracket. General McLane is the No. 2 seed at 5-3. The Lancers defeated Warren, 34-31, in a back-and-forth shootout in the regular season.
"We have talked about the Warren history (this week)," said Morelli. "The fact that Warren has only won three playoff games in their history -- 2012, 2010 and 2002. Now, keep in mind, the playoff system did not start until 1990, 31 years ago. This senior class has a chance to etch their names in the record books. They are also the second-ever class to make the playoffs twice as we made it in 2019. So, from that standpoint, we have a lot to play for. Playoff participation does not come around too often at Warren. We cannot take things for granted.
"Practice this week has reflected that attitude, very little down time, a lot of attention to detail."
Morelli said the Dragons are a motivated group, and want people to take notice.
"Our kids deserve to get some recognition, but it just seems like the media looks at Warren as a non-entity," he said. "Here is Ben White having a phenomenally-productive year as a receiver and returner, yet he does not get any respect. Eric Dippold basically coming out of nowhere as a sophomore to throw for over 1,000 yards, yet no mention of that. How many other sophomore QBs in D10 have done that? Perhaps some of this is my fault because I do not get involved with Twitter and all of that stuff; to me, that is bragging and popping off. I do not like that stuff. That is the way I was brought up through the coaching ranks; be humble. It is about the team, not the individual.
"We may not be winning championships, but we have been competitive the past four years with winning seasons," added Morelli. "I do not think the D10-area media have looked at how far we have come in four years."
Morelli said this is another opportunity for the Dragons to show they belong in these games.
Warren was right in it until the final minutes of the loss at General McLane -- a game that saw a half-dozen lead changes. In it, despite McLane out-rushing Warren 336-43.
"That has to change," said Morelli. "If it does not, our season will be over. We have to run the ball better and, defensively, we need to be more aggressive. We also have to be much more conscientious of No. 6 John Amon at QB. He had 248 yards rushing the last game, including a 93-yard TD run. The third key, we have to be into the game early. General McLane was up 15-0 until midway through the second quarter the last game. We have to be ready to go from the opening whistle."
In the other semifinal on Saturday, top-seeded Meadville (6-3) will play No. 4 Harbor Creek (3-7) at 7 p.m. at Edinboro University.