Gone are three-year starting quarterback Dusty Isaacs, all-Ohio wide receiver Chase Cochran and four offensive linemen.
“This year’s team is going through a little face-lift,” Lebanon head coach Shawn Lamb said. “There will be more of an emphasis on being physical. Defense, kicking game, three yards and a cloud of dust — that’s how we’re going to play. And I say that with a grimace, because you know I love to throw the ball.”
Offense
Only four starters return on offense — two of them at receiver in all-GWOC South senior Brody Wolf and junior Nick Esposito.
Who will be throwing them the ball is the biggest question in camp. Heading into the first scrimmage at Middletown on Saturday, Aug. 14, none of the three candidates to replace Isaacs — juniors Ben Riggin, Kyler Hodson or sophomore Luke Morgan — had nailed down the job.
“We want them to manage the game and eliminate costly mistakes,” Lamb said. “Each of those guys has different things that they do well. But eventually, we need one of those guys to take control and become a leader.”
A pair of dynamic running backs in senior Dylan Miles and junior Aaron Abbott should ease pressure off the new quarterback.
But how well the offensive line gels — which returns only one starter in 6-foot-5, 265 pound left tackle Nick Stotts — will be the big key to Lebanon’s success.
Defense
The defense appears ready to return to the form that had this unit ranked in the top five in the GWOC from 2006-08.
“We think our defense is going to excite people and be fun to watch,” Lamb said.
Linebackers Chris Benton and Alex White are a pair of hard hitters who anchor the defense and sophomore Matt Bendel has been a surprise at defensive end.
Outlook
Defending the GWOC South championship and getting to the playoffs for the first time since 2002 will be a tall task for these Warriors. But Lamb isn’t shying away from it.
“That’s always the goal,” Lamb said. “We still expect to be in that position. It will just be a different road we take this year and it will be different faces leading the way.”
Audible
“One thing I think about when I think about Lebanon is tradition, all the way back to coach VanDeGrift. Shawn Lamb was the offensive coordinator when they won the state championship, and he has carried that tradition on through the program.”
— Andy Olds, Kings
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