Despite starting 0-4, Warren’s younger players are taking advantage of their opportunities, but the Dragons will face new challenges tonight against a more experienced Titusville team on its homecoming.

“We want to build off the positives (like) a 12-minute drive a week ago that ended with a TD,” said Warren coach Cody Bupp. “Last week, Aiden Eger toted the rock well — another freshman taking advantage of his chances.

“It’s been a tough week. Last week was physical and we lost a couple guys and the flu bug rolled through us — missing 20 guys each day this week,” said Bupp.

“So there has been lots of rotating. As we tell the kids, ‘next man up,'” Bupp added. “We know this week is going to be a dogfight, a physical battle for 48 minutes, and we need to answer the bell. Coach Reynolds will have his guys ready to go. They are playing like a senior-laden group that was left out of the playoffs last season.”

This season, the Rockets are 3-1, which includes three straight high-scoring wins over Girard (40-0), Grove City (36-7) and Conneaut (46-19). In the process, senior Jaxon Covell ran for 243, 268 and 197 yards, respectively, in those wins. Titusville’s lone loss was in its opener at Corry 28-22.

“Titusville has a group of seniors that went through the growing pains as sophomores and are now seeing the rewards,” said Bupp. “They stick to their system and execute at a high level. It all starts up front in the trenches. They have a lot of movement pre-snap, so we have to be eye disciplined and stick to our keys.

“Covell is one of the best RBs in D10, and coming off another game where he set the all-time rushing record at Titusville,” said Bupp, “but they have athletes all over. (Kameron) Mong is arguably just as talented and their tight ends are physical and seal well. They run the ball at a high clip, but their QB (Ian) McDonald is an accurate passer and they utilize play-action well to slow you down.”

On the season for Warren, freshman Ayden Corbett has rushed for 213 of the team’s 371 yards, but the Dragons have been outscored 195-31.

A season ago, Titusville defeated Warren 49-19. Even then, Covell had 172 yards rushing and 44 receiving yards.