LISBON FALLS -Before you shed too many tears for Lisbon football coach Dick Mynahan and his sophomore-laden team, consider that the leader of any Western Class C program probably would trade his clipboard and whistle for one senior like John Tefft.

Tefft, who touched the ball only nine times, turned in 231 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns to lead Lisbon past undermanned Old Orchard Beach 40-12 on a splendid autumn Saturday afternoon at Thompson Field.

One of seven seniors seeing playing time (there are merely two juniors, by the way), Tefft rushed for a 60-yard TD on the Greyhounds’ first play from scrimmage of the regular season. He added a 17-yard reception in heavy traffic and runs of 58 and 45 yards, untouched, to the ever-increasing total on the scoreboard.

“He’s probably one of the hardest working athletes I’ve coached, and he’s all-around. He does it running, catching and kicking the ball,” said Mynahan. If the other kids learn a little bit from the leadership they see from John, we’ll be fine.

Another senior, Tony Walker, ran for a 23-yard TD. He also made a fumble recovery to headline a defensive effort that kept OOB off the scoreboard until the final nine minutes. Sophomore Nick Harmon added a late score from one yard out. Lisbon’s upperclassmen, though small in number, all make an impact. Another of Tefft and Walker’s classmates, Derek Roy, had a hand in two quarterback sacks.

“We have a lot of heart,” Walker said. “We have some guys who aren’t that big, but they can hit and they can tackle.”

Only 18 players suited up for the Seagulls, who are missing at least a half dozen experienced performers due to eligibility issues for the first month of the season.

“I thought Old Orchard did very well for all the kids they have missing,” Mynahan said. “As a coach, you appreciate that kind of effort.”

OOB allowed only Tefft’s sideline sprint in the first quarter, but the Greyhounds broke it open with three second-quarter scores for a 27-0 halftime lead.

Junior QB Chris Kates (3-for-5, 70 yards) threaded the needed through three defenders to Tefft for their touchdown connection on fourth-and-13.

“We wanted to go after them early and try to get as many kids into the game as possible,” Tefft said. “We’re doing everything we can to get some depth.”

When Tefft scored and kicked the point after to make it 34-0 with 8:25 to go in the third quarter, it started a steady stream of substitutions from the home sideline. Bobby Seavey (13 carries, 71 yards) and Jamie Tessener each scored a late TD against the Greyhounds’ defensive reserves.

Lisbon’s eyes turn to a trip to Jay on Friday night.

“Jay is a team that I think can beat anybody on any given night,” said Mynahan. “It will be interesting to see how our young kids respond to a game like that.”