LEBANON — Lebanon football coach Micah Faler sees a group that has begun to answer the early questions about its identity.
Gaining confidence heading into the Warriors’ crucial stretch of their schedule isn’t one of them. They’ve already got that.
“Our guys are playing with a ton of confidence,” Faler confirmed.
The Warriors opened the year with a roster full of returning talent, but Faler said there were unknowns about how a handful of new contributors would respond under the lights.
Through the first three weeks, unbeaten Lebanon (3-0) has shown steady improvement, rebounding from a competitive opener at Northmont and a slow start against Loveland before delivering a complete performance in a convincing win over West Clermont.
“What we’ve seen over the last three weeks is this team just getting better and better,” Faler said. “We weren’t real happy with our performance at Northmont. We left a lot out there. The next week, slow start at Loveland. But I was real happy with the resolve of our guys, and it all came together last week. I think this is a team that’s going to continue to get better every week.”
At the center of Lebanon’s offense has been Faler’s son, Luke, at quarterback. Luke Faler has managed the offense with poise and efficiency. In the Eastern Cincinnati Conference — where turnovers can decide games — his ability to value offensive possessions has stood out. Luke Faler has thrown for 660 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions.
“He certainly hasn’t been mistake-free, but he’s putting us in positions to win football games,” Micah Faler said. “His job is to make us right, and he’s doing that. I’m really proud of him.”
The coach added that the offense has leaned on his son’s decision-making — even handing him responsibility for play selection at times. That trust has translated to a unit that values possessions and forces opponents to match its discipline.
Lebanon’s defense has been just as important, holding opponents to a little over 10 points per game. That production is especially satisfying given the reliance on younger players pressed into big roles, Micah Faler noted.
Sophomore cornerback Greyson McClure delivered one of the season’s signature moments with two pick-sixes against West Clermont. Plays like those, Faler said, are examples of a unit growing up quickly.
“Some of those younger guys we talked about before the season, they’ve stepped up and played at a high level,” Faler said. “They’re producing, and that’s what we need.”
The second half of the schedule offers little relief — at Anderson, at Little Miami and home against Kings. Faler knows the road won’t be easy but said the Warriors’ belief in one another is their biggest weapon.
“Anderson is a really good football team, well coached and talented. It’s a huge challenge for us,” Faler said. “But I have not coached a team that believes in each other more than these guys.
“They don’t flinch, they don’t waver, and they think our guys are as good as anybody. It’s been a great week of practice.”
