“It is a new year, new uniforms, new turf on the field, and a new season,” said sixth-year Warren head coach Mark Morelli. “There is excitement in the air surrounding our team.”

There is a chance the second Dragons’ home game — Sept. 9 against Girard — will have to be moved due to continued renovations on the track area at War Memorial, but that decision is for another day.

“One thing must be said — kudos to Mike Boyd and the sports boosters for their work and efforts on the field renovations,” said Morelli. “The Warren community should be proud and take pride in the work that the sports boosters have done to improve the facilities. Our football program is thankful for the sports boosters’ support and we tip our hats to them. Congratulations on a job well done.”

The playing surface is ready, and Morelli said the Dragons are ready for a tough Region 5-opening opponent in the Oilers.

Warren opens its football season tonight on the new turf at War Memorial Field against Oil City. Times Observer Photo by Jon Sitler

“Our assistant coaches have done an outstanding job coaching our kids and getting them prepared,” said Morelli. “This is a veteran coaching staff who have been together for six years. We have been through some battles and big games. We are confident in our preparation, but we do not play the game; our kids have to carry out their assignments and do their jobs. We cannot make it any more simpler than that. We have told them all week, football is about blocking, tackling, executing and having a burning desire to win. Oil City has their weapons, but we have ours as well. Our returners — including (Eric) Dippold, (Tommy) Nyquist, (Ethan) Senz, (Cayden) Wright, (Carson) Farr, (Alan) McAllister, (Luke) Becker and (Isaac) Werth — do not take the backseat to anyone. We can move the ball as well, but the key to the game is what our defense does.”

Last season, Warren trailed Oil City 18-0 at halftime before scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half of a 21-18 Region 5 homecoming win, also at War Memorial Field. The win — featuring sophomore quarterback Dippold completing all nine second-half pass attempts, including 7 of 7 in the fourth quarter — was huge for District 10 Class 4A playoff implications with the Dragons finishing 4-2 in the region; Oil City at 3-3.

Both Warren and Oil City have moved to 3A for the 2022 season, but that won’t mean much in game one.

“The first game of the season is always full of unknowns,” said Morelli. “We can follow a checklist of things to anticipate and prepare for, but rarely do first games follow the script. Special teams is a good example — it is a third of the game and a big play on special teams can change the game around in a hurry. Oil City will come in motivated after we beat them last season in dramatic fashion.”

Oil City’s line was a strength in 2021 and they were young then. They will look to open up holes for Ethan Knox, who ran for 1,825 yards as a sophomore for the 3-5 Oilers. He ran 41 times for 210 yards and two touchdowns in last year’s loss at Warren, but the Dragons contained the Oilers in a shutout second half.

“Oil City will definitely be a challenge; they are big and powerful,” said Morelli. “Ethan Knox is fast and has grown a bit. They looked very impressive in their scrimmage vs. Ft. LeBouef and Farrell, running the football. … It is going to be a battle in the trenches — their size against our intestinal fortitude.”