Starting the right way
Warren begins season with win over Seneca
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War Memorial Field was packed in anticipation of the 2026 Warren Dragons football opener Friday evening.
Under new head coach Jodi Baum, fans were unsure what Warren would bring to the table. It is clear that Baum and the Dragons completely shattered any and all expectations as they defeated the Seneca Bobcats 34-21 via explosive offense, smart tackling and crucial play making.
The first quarter opened up with numerous impressive defensive stands from both teams, leading to a series of three-and-outs. Warren seniors Christopher Orth and Aiden Eger combined for explosive plays, but the Bobcats held firm. The mirrored goose eggs on the scoreboard would not last much longer as the second quarter featured a polar opposite experience. Starting at the Dragons' own 40-yard line, Eger found a gap on the right and would go 60 yards for the first touchdown of the game. A failed conversion left Warren up 6-0.
Would the Bobcats respond? They absolutely did. Seneca's RJ Orton put the exclamation point on a long drive via a 2-yard run to find the end zone. A successful extra point put the Bobcats up 7-6.
That lead would not last as Dragons sophomore quarterback Parker Kiser found sophomore Grant May deep downfield. May made a last-second route adjustment to complete the catch and take it to the end zone for a 72-yard receiving touchdown. The Dragons were successful on the 2-point conversion and found themselves leading 14-7 with 5:23 remaining.
With halftime creeping up on the Bobcats, they needed to continue their offensive momentum before the game could get out of hand. Despite two offensive penalties on the drive, the Bobcats clawed their way down the field. Quarterback Dalton Boyd found Donovan Huzinec for the 34-yard passing touchdown, converted the extra point, and all of a sudden the game was tied 14-14 heading into the second half.
Looking to break the tie to open up the third quarter, Kiser found May again, this time for a 62-yard touchdown pass to reclaim the lead. The Bobcats refused to go away as they responded with a touchdown and extra point of their own, to cut the Dragons lead to just one point. With the Bobcats taking back possession and starting to control the game, Warren junior Cameron Hagg had the turning point of the game, intercepting a pass from Boyd. With the Dragons at the helm, Eger continued his impressive performance as he rattled off a 92-yard run to find the end zone, increasing the lead 28-21.
Warren was able to take possession via a Bobcats three-and-out. With 8:50 remaining in the game, the Dragons drove down, while simultaneously milking the clock. A crucial fourth-down conversion from Kiser enabled the Dragons to continue their strong drive, and Ayden Corbett punched in a 2-yard touchdown to seal the deal. With Warren up 34-21, the Bobcats could not respond. Warren's win was its first at War Memorial Field in almost four years.
Kiser went 2 for 3 on the evening, throwing for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Eger had 18 carries for 239 yards and two touchdowns, and Grant May caught two passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns. The Dragons had 405 total yards of offense in the victory.
Looking to go 2-0, the Dragons will host the Harbor Creek Huskies next Friday at War Memorial Field for a 7 p.m. kickoff.