LEBANON, Ohio – On a chilly, rainy October night with playoff and conference implications throughout Greater Cincinnati, Lebanon looked to bounce back from a 63-60 shootout loss to Turpin while celebrating its seniors on Senior Night.
It was those very seniors who led Lebanon to a 49-7 blowout victory over Walnut Hills, as both teams entered the game with something to prove.
For the Warriors, a win meant improving their playoff and conference positioning. For the Eagles, a victory would have been the highlight of a difficult season. Entering Week 9, Walnut Hills was still searching for its first win under first-year head coach Dominick Goodman.
Lebanon wasted no time getting on the board, as its offense quickly moved through Eagles territory and capped off the opening drive with a two-yard touchdown run by Lincoln Womack.
Lebanon gets to 7-2 as the Warriors offensive line puts on a senior night show
📹@Porter_Videos players of the night: Logan Schmenk & Mason Reed https://t.co/iSpgrO8eFK
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) October 17, 2026
The start of the game would not mirror the finish, however, as Walnut Hills quickly matched the score. Quarterback Joshua Thornton took the top off the defense with a 33-yard touchdown pass to Caylen Murray for the Eagles’ first and only score of the game.
Lebanon struggled early in the first quarter with penalties and sloppy play, allowing Walnut Hills to keep the game close. A botched snap on a field goal attempt led to a Lebanon turnover on downs, and the game remained tied heading into the second quarter.
From then on, however, it was the Logan Schmenk show.
The senior running back started his night with a one-yard touchdown run to put Lebanon ahead 14-7 and never took his foot off the gas.
🎧 LISTEN: Lebanon Head Coach Micah Faler on High School Football Tonight on FOX SPORTS 1360
Walnut Hills had a chance to regain momentum when its defense nearly came away with an interception that could have been returned for a touchdown, potentially tying the game. The ball slipped through the defender’s hands, however, and Lebanon capitalized on the missed opportunity.
After Lebanon forced a punt, Schmenk broke loose for a 75-yard touchdown run with 5:44 left in the half, increasing the Warriors’ lead to 21-7. He added his third score of the night on a 15-yard run just minutes later.
Just before halftime, Lebanon’s defense joined in on the scoring.
Gio Rendon-Caballero intercepted Thornton and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown with 1:34 remaining in the second quarter, sending the Warriors into the locker room with a commanding 35-7 lead.
Lebanon and Schmenk carried that momentum into the second half, as the senior ripped off his fourth touchdown of the game on a 19-yard run in the third quarter to extend the Warriors’ advantage to 42-7.
With the running clock in effect during the second half, Lebanon quarterback Mason Reed added a touchdown of his own on a five-yard keeper to make it 49-7.
Schmenk finished with 193 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 12 carries, averaging an impressive 16.1 yards per attempt. He also caught two passes for 17 yards, giving him 210 yards from scrimmage.
The Warriors finished with 415 total yards, including 304 on the ground, while their defense held Walnut Hills to 160 yards and forced two turnovers.
The win was an impressive rebound for Lebanon (7-2, 6-2 ECC) as the Warriors head into a difficult road matchup against #5 Winton Woods next Friday. Schmenk continues to add to an outstanding senior season, surpassing 1,200 rushing yards and reaching 23 rushing touchdowns.
Walnut Hills (0-9, 0-8 ECC) kept the game close early but will continue searching for its first win under Goodman. The Eagles return home to face Kings next week.
PHOTOS: Walnut Hills at Lebanon
POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
SCORING BY QUARTERS
Walnut Hills: 7-0-0-0-7
Lebanon: 7-28-7-7-49
SCORING PLAYS
L: Lincoln Womack 2-yard run (Logan Lane kick), 9:31 1Q
W: Caylen Murray 33-yard pass from Joshua Thornton (Connor Carlton kick)
L: Logan Schmenk 1-yard run (Lane kick)
L: Logan Schmenk 75-yard run (Lane kick)
L: Logan Schmenk 15-yard run (Lane kick)
L: Gio Rendon-Caballero 25-yard interception return (Lane kick)
L: Logan Schmenk 19-yard run (Lane kick)
L: Mason Reed 5-yard run (Lane kick)
RECORDS: Walnut Hills (0-9, 0-8 ECC); Lebanon (7-2, 6-2)
UP NEXT: Walnut Hills vs. Kings; Lebanon at Winton Woods
Get the complete scores from all of this week’s action on the Underground Sports Shop Scoreboard at TriStateFootball.com/scores.
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