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Warriors take control of GWOC South

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By Scott Hayes, Staff Writer 10:58 PM Friday, October 16, 2009

By Scott Hayes

Staff Writer

LEBANON — Lebanon High quarterback Dusty Isaacs is accustomed to throwing touchdown passes.

Intercepting passes from an opposing quarterback? That’s a new one.

Isaacs’ interception at the goal line with two minutes and 34 seconds remaining preserved Lebanon’s 21-7 victory over visiting Fairborn on Friday, Oct. 16.

The win put the Warriors in the drivers’ seat in the Greater Western Ohio Conference South Division. Lebanon (6-2, 2-0 GWOC South) is the last team standing in the division without a loss.

“Our goal all season has been to win an outright title and we’re one stop closer,” Isaacs said.

Pressed into service as Lebanon’s nickel back after starting safety Andy Bishop broke his arm, Isaacs relished the opportunity to play defense.

“It felt like pee wee football out there playing both sides of the ball,” Isaacs said. “I got my first tackle and an interception.

“We were in man coverage and I tried to keep my eyes on the quarterback and the receiver. I saw the receiver ran an out and I just jumped the pass and then ran it out. It was a lot of fun.”

Isaacs got Lebanon out to an early lead with first quarter touchdown passes of 61 and 55 yards to Chase Cochran. His one yard plunge with 2:46 left in the second quarter gave the Warriors a 21-7 lead going into halftime.

“We knew they had big play capabilities and they hit a couple on us early,” Fairborn coach Roy Thobe said. “But, I thought our kids finally responded and got into the game after that.

“There were two good football teams out there. They just made a few more plays. We have to focus on finishing out the season, now.”

The Skyhawks (5-3, 1-1) were led by quarterback Ryan Cook who completed 13-of-30 passes for 123 yards and rushed nine times for 44 yards and Fairborn’s only score, a 14-yard scramble midway through the second quarter to cut the score to 14-7.

Isaacs completed 15-of-28 passes for 279 yards. Seven completions went to Cochran for 190 yards and two scores with five other going to Brody Wolf for 56 yards. The Warriors rushed for 172 yards, led by Trey Bonny who gained 130 yards on 19 carries.

Defensively, the Warriors held Fairborn under 100 yards rushing (94 yards on 29 carries) and 217 yards total.

“It was a complete team effort tonight,” Lebanon coach Shawn Lamb said. “Our kids rose to the occasion. We hit some big plays early and our defense played their tails off the entire game.

“If we continue to play like that, I like our chances.”

Lebanon’s defense was led by Jake Gilbert who set the new school record for career tackles early in the game. Gilbert finished with 11 tackles while Chris Benton had 10. Andrew Kinner had seven tackles and two quarterback sacks while Patrick O’Connell added an interception. Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4526 or shayes@coxohio.com.

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