Western-Star.com

FAIRBORN — The Lebanon High School football team shook off the effects of an emotional week to defeat Fairborn 21-3 on Friday night, Oct. 10. The victory gave the Warriors their first Greater Western Ohio Conference South Division triumph of the season.

With thoughts of deceased classmate Jacob Hough still in their minds and hearts, the Warriors overcame a sluggish start with a dominating defensive effort to improve to 5-3 (1-1 GWOC) on the season.

"It was a difficult week for our kids," Lebanon coach Shawn Lamb said. "Any time you lose a friend and a classmate it puts a lot of things into perspective.

"A lot of our kids were thinking of Jacob — you can understand why their minds were elsewhere. After we got through the first quarter, the kids responded and put the week behind them. I'm very proud of them."

Fairborn capitalized on a Warrior turnover deep in their own territory to get on the board first — a 33-yard field goal by Dylan Steel.

From there though, it was all Lebanon.

The Warrior defense held the Skyhawks to just 156 total yards — and just 53 in the second half. Lebanon forced four turnovers (interceptions by Shane Boger, Christian May and Tashawn Young with a fumble recovery by Jeff MacCutcheon) and had four quarterback sacks (two by Logan Baker).

"We just came out and were physical right off the bat," said senior linebacker Zach Schnee, who had eight tackles and forced a fumble. "We knocked them in the mouth."

Offensively, the Warriors were fairly balanced, getting 118 yards rushing and a touchdown from Nate Woods and 207 yards and two touchdowns from quarterback Dusty Isaacs on 13-of-19 passing.

"We came out and played flat but did a good job of picking it up after the first quarter," Isaacs said. "We realized we were the better team, and the offensive line did a good job giving me time to throw. Our receivers made good catches, and Nate ran the ball hard. It's always good to ruin another team's homecoming."

Isaacs connected with Chase Cochran six times for 138 yards and a 10-yard score. His other touchdown pass, 4 yards to Elliot Rice midway through the third quarter, closed out the scoring.

"It's nice to get a league win," Lamb said. "We don't have a lot of time left together. We want to take advantage of every second we have left for the rest of the season."

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4526 or shayes@coxohio.com.