Local Sports

Happy homecoming

Warren downs Franklin for second win of season

It was another beautiful evening for Friday Night Lights at War Memorial Field as Warren defeated Franklin 40-16.

Last night was also the kick off to Warren Area High School's homecoming weekend that included honorary captain Ed O'Neil ('70), who had an All-American high school career for the Dragons, an All-American career at Pennsylvania State University, and was drafted eighth overall in the 1974 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. He played seven total seasons, his last in 1980 with the Green Bay Packers.

The Dragons won the coin toss and chose to defer. This would work in their favor as they forced a three-and-out, blocked the punt and Chris Orth capitalized with the scoop-and-score touchdown to take an early lead. Charlie Blum was successful on the extra point.

Another three-and-out put the Dragons back in the driver's seat. A ground-and-pound operation found the home team at Franklin's 2-yard line where quarterback Parker Kiser found the end zone with a sneak to go up 13-0.

The second quarter opened up with a series of sacks and penalties against the Dragons where at one point, it was third and 46. They gained 32 yards on the next rushing play, but could not convert on fourth down.

The Knights found themselves putting together a nice drive, but that was thwarted by an Ayden Corbett interception that was returned to the Franklin 30-yard line. The very first play of the Dragon drive was all Aiden Eger as he found a hole and ran into the end zone for the third Warren score of the first half. Blum converted on the extra point to put the Dragons up 20-0.

The Knights would respond on the very next drive via Caden Mincer who ran 20 yards for the touchdown to get Franklin on the scoreboard. A successful extra point cut Warren's lead to 20-7.

The Dragons would make quick work of the next drive as Eger found the end zone again, set up by a long completion from Kiser to Grant May. A failed two-point conversion attempt extended the Warren lead 26-7 with just over a minute left in the half. A successful 43-yard Franklin field goal just before the end of the quarter put the score at 26-10.

At halftime, Warren High senior Attie Corey was crowned homecoming queen.

Warren opened up the third quarter, but was stopped by a Franklin defensive stand. The Knights mustered a drive into the Warren red zone, but Tucker Sanford picked off a pass and returned it more than 60 yards to set up another short field for the Dragons. Kiser would run to the left for a 14-yard touchdown for his second rushing score of the night. Blum made the extra point to extend the Warren lead 33-10 with just over three minutes to go in the third quarter.

The Dragons were nothing but stout on defense the next drive, managing to earn a turnover on downs. A penalty put Warren back at the Knights 22-yard like. Facing a fourth and goal, Kiser took advantage of a broken play, ran up the right side, and found the end zone for his third time. Blum made the extra point to put Warren up 40-10.

The Knights responded well on the next drive with a touchdown. A failed two-point conversion cut into the Dragon lead 40-16. A series of successful run plays allowed the Dragons to control the clock and end the game in victory formation.

Warren improves to 2-5 on the season. The Dragons head to Cathedral Prep next Friday to take on the Ramblers for a 7 p.m. kickoff.