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Lebanon to battle brutal schedule
- Updated: August 13, 2015
To say the road for Lebanon was tough in 2014 would be an understatement. The Warriors endured one of the toughest Division I schedules in the state. This fall the task of getting the program to the playoffs for the first time in 13 years will not be easy for head coach Shawn Lamb and his troops.
“Once again we face one of the toughest schedules in Southwest Ohio. Our five losses a year ago were to teams with a combined record of 46-4 during the regular season. All of which were playoff teams – Centerville, Kings, Trotwood, Springboro, Miamisburg,” Lamb states. Unfortunately all of those schools are on the schedule again this fall and all are also vastly improved.
When asked what the key to a successful season were Lam said “our offensive line and tailback will be as good as any in league. An experienced quarterback will help with the new offensive scheme. Our defense will have to grow up early on.”
The Lebanon offense is going to have to steal the show. They have the horses to score a ton of points and keep a young defense off the field against some very high-powered offensive foes. That is the formula for a playoff berth for the Warriors.
Division I, Region 2
2014 RECORD: 5-5, 3-2 GWOC South
COACH: Shawn Lamb (62-38 @ Lebanon, 10 years, 62-38 overall)
HONOR ROLL
Xander Haley, Jr, K – Haley was named First Team All-GWOC South for second straight season in ‘4. He connected on 22/23 extra points and all four of his field goals as a sophomore.
Alec Magness, Sr, OL – A Second Team All-GWOC South selection a year ago Magness is part of a Warriors offensive line that should be pretty special.
Mitch Turpin, Sr, TB – In his two years as a starter Turpin has amassed 1,352 all-purpose yards (766 rushing) while finding the endzone nine times (seven rushing).
George Groh, Sr, OL – A healthy Groh hopes to return and improve on the Second Team All-GWOC South status he attained as a sophomore.
OTHER RETURNEES
Dakota Allen, Jr, QB – Allen has grown into a legitimate Division I college recruit. If he plays well in the big games his offers could be quite special. He threw for 1,035 yards with 10 touchdown passes and two rushing scores as a sophomore.
Dawson Wolf, Jr, RB – More consistency will be needed from a healthy Wolf who ran for 548 yards and three touchdown in ’14. Wolf had five games of less than 32 yards rushing.
Seniors Brad Booher, Lane Christiansen and Pete Wilson join Magness and Groh as returning starters on the offensive line. They are the heart and soul of this team.
Bradon Murphy, Sr, DB – Lamb calls Murphy “a smart player and the quarterback of the defense.” He had 17 total tackles in five games a year ago.
Noah Sayre, Sr, DL – The Warriors need Sayre to stay healthy and be a leader of a young defense. Sayre was in on 17 total tackles in six contests as a junior.
NEWCOMERS
Depth at receiver will be provided by senior Cody Brown and junior slot-man Jordan Campbell. Even though Brown caught just seven passes in ’14 he still had at least one reception in six games.
On defense juniors Tony Colon and Nate Obringer and some beef to the d-line. In the secondary, junior Olen Keil and senior Kaleb Frankenberg are going to make the most of any opportunities that come their way.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(eight appearances, 11-7) – 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998 (State Champions), 1997 (Regional Champions), 1988, 1980 (State Runner-up)
2015 SCHEDULE
Kings, Loveland and Centerville will be the Warriors first three opponents. Two weeks later they play Trotwood-Madison then Miamisburg after that. If this team is not focused they could be looking at a 1-5 start. Springboro will be the opponent in the regular season finale. The combine 2014 record of Lebanon’s foes was 69-40 with two of those schools going undefeated and two more going 9-1 during the regular season. Harbin Points are there for the taking.
RAISING THE BAR
If Lebanon wants to become a playoff-caliber team they must stop their peers who played in November a year ago. The Warriors last three losses a year ago were all by 21 points or more. To compounded matters Lebanon only averaged 5.3 points in those defeats. Perhaps even more perplexing about hose numbers is that the Warriors only allowed 14.9 points per contests on the year.
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