By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer
Lisbon’s defense has allowed just 45 points and hasn’t been scored on in 13 quarters.

LISBON FALLS – Who would have imagined that on a late summer day one seemingly forgettable defensive stand would be the precursor to greater things?

Whoever said that exhibition games don’t mean anything, hasn’t spoken to the Lisbon football team.

After barring the door on a goal line stand in a preseason game with Oak Hill, the Greyhound defense has barely blinked.

It was the first brick in a defensive foundation that few opponents have broken through this season.

“That was the first big stop for our defense,” said defensive tackle Elijah Trefts. “When we realized that we could go against a team like that, they’re a good Class B team. The fact the we could do pretty well against them and hold our end defensively, it just pumped us up. It got us ready. We knew our defense was going to be good, and we wanted to keep that up.”

That defensive statement has bred many others this season. Coach Dick Mynahan says he’s gone years without having such goal line stands. They had two against Winthrop in one game. The Greyhounds have developed a backbone on defense that has grown in stature ever since.

“It kind of propelled us,” said defensive back Levi Ervin. “We got lifted. We got excited. I think once we got the thrill of that, we just wanted more. We’ve been looking to make a stop every time we step on the field.”

Lisbon (9-1) has allowed just 45 points this season, least in the state. They boast five shutouts and have not allowed a point in 13 quarters. Only one team, Mattanawcook, has scored in double digits with 21 points, nearly half the points the Greyhounds have allowed this season. Boothbay, the team Lisbon hosts in Saturday’s Western C final, mustered just six in a 30-6 loss in early October.

“People realize that our defense is one of the best in the state,” said Trefts. “So they want to gun for us. People want to break that streak. So it’s a little harder to protect, but we still have the same attitude and want to keep it going. We don’t want people to score, no matter what.”

Mynahan felt his defense had potential coming into the season. With Trefts, Nick Harmon, Mark Stanbach, Josh Stevens and Devan Knight up front, he had one of the stronger lines he’s had in recent years. With veterans like Ervin, Chris Brunick and Nick Adams leading the secondary, the Greyhounds had experience there as well. The biggest question mark was at linebacker. Jesse Moan and Dan Willis saw starting time as sophomores while seniors Carl Grady and Andrew Dubois stepped into larger roles.

“Our linebackers are small people,” said Mynahan, whose team has allowed just two points in its last three games. “They all go about 150 pounds. We didn’t go with our usual defense because we didn’t have the size for two guys inside. So we spread them out. The linebackers have been our biggest and best surprise. Even though they’re small, undersized and quick, they’ve been able to find the ball. They’ve done a great job for us.”

With such a strong group up front, the lineman have been able to open holes for the linebackers to get through. It has made it tough for opponents to control the line of scrimmage.

“I didn’t expect it would be this good, but I did have high expectations,” said Trefts. “I thought we were going to be solid defensively. This is pretty big, to be one of the best defenses in the state.”

The confidence on the defense has continually grown. Though the Greyhound’s stingy play has been a constant, Mynahan has regularly groomed the defense, bringing in other players and building up the experience and depth. It has helped establish a gelling group intent on maintaining its ferocity in the red zone.

“We’re all friends, and we’ve all bonded together,” said Ervin. “We all pride ourselves on making stops and making big hits and making plays.”