The Lakers improve to 7-0 with the nonregion road win, having outscored opponents 423-33 on the year (137-0 the last two weeks against Eisenhower and Warren).

“Mercyhurst Prep is a well-coached team and their team speed was on display tonight,” said Warren coach Cody Bupp. “You can’t replicate that in practice. As soon as they have an angle, it’s off to the races. They played physical and aggressive and we didn’t answer the bell.”

‘Hurst Prep led 48-0 by halftime over winless Warren (0-7), scoring seven touchdowns on just 16 offensive plays. Sophomore quarterback Paul Johnson was 6-of-6 passing for 79 yards and a touchdown in the first half for the Lakers. He added a 33-yard touchdown run and 78 yards on the ground in the game.

For the game, Mercyhurst had 11 offensive plays that went for 20 or more yards, including touchdown runs of 36 and 66 yards by Tra’varis Ramsey, 24 and 46 yards by Jeremy Ganska, and a 45-yard rushing score by Clay Wojtecki.

Photo courtesy of Mark Evans Nine Warren seniors were recognized prior to the game on Friday against Mercyhurst Prep including, in front, from left: Kenny Pizarro, Ben Hoffman, Matt Sowa, Tommy Nyquist and Hector Cruz. In back are: Sam Harvey, Eric Dippold, Johnny Corbett and Eddie Johnson.

For the game, the Lakers amassed 471 yards of offense to Warren’s 81. Warren senior running back Tommy Nyquist had 80 yards rushing on 18 carries and four receptions for 14 more yards. A 28-yard gain late in the first half gave Warren possession deep in Lakers’ territory, but the Dragons ended up turning the ball over on downs at the 19-yard line. The secondary only allowed Warren quarterback Eric Dippold to complete 5 of 17 passes for 27 yards.

The swarming Lakers had 12 tackles for loss (including five sacks), two interceptions returned for touchdowns — one on a Warren fake punt, and Ja’son Ellman returned a punt 56 yards for a score after catching a TD pass earlier.

Prior to the game, Warren recognized nine seniors who contributed to the Dragons winning 15 games over three seasons as freshmen, sophomores and juniors.

“Proud of the seniors and the way the continue to lead,” said Bupp. “We are proud of the young men they are becoming.”

Mercyhurst Prep 28 20 22 12 — 82

Warren 0 0 0 0 — 0

First quarter

MP–Ja’son Ellman 15 pass from Paul Johnson, 9:28 (kick failed)

MP–Jeremy Ganska 4 run, 6:30 (Ellman run)

MP–Ellman 56 punt return, 4:23 (kick failed)

MP–Johnson 33 run, 0:8.3 (Ramir Wallace run)

Second quarter

MP–Ellman 40 interception return, 10:53 (kick failed)

MP–Ganska 24 run, 8:13 (71 kick)

MP–Clay Wojtecki 45 run, 5:12 (71 kick)

Third quarter

MP–Tra’varis Ramsey 36 run, 10:57 (71 kick)

MP–Ramsey 66 run, 6:49 (71 kick)

MP–Ganska 46 run, 3:16 (Ellman run)

Fourth quarter

MP–Vinnie Feliciano 15 run, 5:52 (kneel down)

MP–Tayshaun Tate 15 INT return, 3:00 (kneel down)

Individual stats

RUSH: MP–Ganska 6-103, 3TD; Feliciano 4-37, TD; Johnson 3-78, TD; Ramsey 2-102, 2TD; Xavier Hernandez 2-22; Wojtecki 1-45, TD; Wallace 1-9; Keishaun Richmond 1-(-4). W–Tommy Nyquist 18-80; Sam Harvey 5-1; Eric Dippold 5-(-34); Ethan Ringer 2-5; Hector Cruz 2-2.

PASS: MP–Johnson, 6 for 6 for 79 yards, TD. W–Dippold, 5 for 17 for 27 yards; Tage Wyman, 0 for 1, INT; Noah Bleech, 0 for 1, INT.

RECEIVING: MP–Ellman, 3-53; TD; Craig Buckner, 2-26; Wallace, 1-0. W–Nyquist, 4-14; Johnny Corbett 1-13.