Times Observer Photo by Jon Sitler Warren head football coach Mark Morelli is all smiles after the Dragons defeated Mercyhurst Prep 12-0 on Friday night at Mercyhurst University. It as Morelli’s 100th career victory.

ERIE — A win is a win is a win.

Warren lacked the usual big-play offense on Friday night, but did enough to shut out Mercyhurst Prep 12-0 at Mercyhurst University.

In fact, the biggest plays of the night came from the bend-but-don’t-break defense.

On Mercyhurst’s first play from scrimmage, quarterback David Bohm’s shovel pass to wide receiver Josh Wingenbach went 58 yards to the Dragons’ 5-yard line. Four plays later, the Dragons held with a Bohm fourth-down run up the middle ending short at the 1-yard line.

Warren would do just enough on offense in the first half to allow its defense time to catch its breath. Mercyhurst Prep (3-4) outgained Warren by more than double in the first half (204-85), but it was the defense with the most important plays on this night.

Warren’s Johnny Corbett took a first-quarter interception — assisted with three Dragon pass rushers hitting Bohm from every side — 52 yards to the Mercyhurst 1-yard line. Quarterback Eric Dippold finished it off with a 1-yard keeper with just under three minutes left in the opening quarter.

Bohm led Mercyhurst to the Warren 12-yard line before a penalty pushed the Lakers back. A third-and-21 completion brought them back to fourth-and-three, but a fumbled snap handed Warren the ball right back again.

Another Mercyhurst first-half drive entering Dragons’ territory ended with Bohm called for intentional grounding on fourth down with pass-rusher Sam Harvey all over him.

“Definitely the story of the game was the job our defense did,” said Warren coach Mark Morelli, whose Dragons improve to 4-3 overall on a night they got him his 100th career head coaching win. “We hounded and harassed Mercyhurst Prep all night long; really proud of the effort tonight.

“I have always been a defensive-minded coach, so it is only fitting that our defense pitches a shutout on a memorable night for a milestone, winning number 100,” said Morelli. “Johnny Corbett had a huge interception in the first half to get us going. Our offense may not have scored a lot of points, but we ball-controlled the game.”

After the intentional-grounding penalty, Warren had possession deep in Lakers’ territory with two minutes left in the half. Dippold hit Colin Shene for 12 yards to the Mercyhurst 20-yard line before connecting with Tommy Nyquist in the end zone for a 12-0 lead.

The scoreless second half was different than the first half in terms of yardage. Warren’s Nyquist had 71 of his 98 yards rushing in the half, and the Dragons controlled the clock with 21 carries for 102 yards. Dippold completed three passes early in the second half before the ground game took over. Receiver Cayden Wright sealed the win with a late 23-yard run for a first down.

Earlier in the half, the Dragons appeared to be going for it on fourth down, but Dippold’s quick kick put Mercyhurst at their own 1-yard line.

Dippold finished 7-of-13 for 95 yards with a passing and rushing score. Nyquist had 98 yards rushing and 57 receiving — more than half Warren’s total yardage (238) — in the win.

Mercyhurst Prep, on the other hand, was held to 72 yards rushing in the game, and 112 total yards in the second half, including limiting Bohm to 5-of-16 passing in attempting to come back.

“Ball control is a key component when your in a low-scoring, defensive battle,” said Morelli, who was congratulated by players and coaches after the milestone win.

“Definitely a bond there,” said Morelli. “I may be a passionate, crazy guy on the sidelines, but I want our kids to be successful and win. They know I will do whatever I can to help them achieve that goal… I have been blessed over the years to be able to coach some outstanding young men.”