Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. But when talent works hard, that’s Isaiah Rodriguez.

 On Friday at Lebanon Alumni Stadium, Rodriguez’s talent and hard work paid off handsomely for the Lebanon football team, in the form of an exhilirating 14-9, last-second triumph over Elco. Rodriguez’s scrambling 12-yard touchdown toss to teammate Andrew Bowers with five seconds remaining proved to be the decisive score.

 On the winning drive, a 12-play 78-yard march, the junior signal-caller completed eight of ten pass attempts for 68 yards and also scrambled for a first down.

 Earlier in the contest, Rodriguez had hit Bowers on a similar 20-yard scoring strike in the left corner of the end zone to help the Cedars to an 8-0 first-quarter advantage. For the game, I-Rod went 15 for 29 passing for 195 yards through the air.

 The outcome evened Lebanon High’s mark at 1-1.

 During the early portions of the season, Rodriguez’s poise, maturity and enhanced decision-making have been apparent. Rodriguez worked hard on his game in the off-season by fine-tuning details, improving his foot work and attending developmental camps.

 – Jeff Falk