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Insane for Colerain

A year ago at this time we were talking about a Colerain team that was going to take some lumps because of its youth. The Cardinals started off 2014 by going 0-3 before they righted the ship to finish 8-4 and win a 14th consecutive Greater Miami Conference title.

We turn the page and 12 months later this Colerain squad boasts of a core group of juniors and seniors that are polished and experienced. Toss in some talented sophomores eager to make their presence felt while adding depth and this Cardinals team has a chance to be “insanely” good.

Kevin-Hyde-Colerain

That is easier said than done and head coach Tom Bolden will have to keep his troops from believing all the pre-season hype they have been getting. There is definitely plenty for the Cardinals to focus on. As good as the program has been under Bolden a regional title has eluded it. There is no reason this team can’t bring that crown back to Cheviot Road.

Division I, Region 2
2014 RECORD: 8-4, 7-0 GMC
COACH: Tom Bolden (84-14 @ Colerain, eight years, 84-14 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Deshaunte Jones, Sr, QB – A Second Team All-Southwest District honoree as a junior Jones really took off the last half of the year. He finished with 2,475 yards of total offense (1,449 rushing, 1,026 passing) while accounting for 29 touchdowns (17 rushing, 12 passing). Jones has narrowed his college choices down to Louisville and Cincinnati.

Darryll Gardner, Sr, LB – One of the most accomplished defensive players in the GMC Gardner was a First Team All-GMC selection as a junior. He has an offer from Toledo. Gardner has registered 233 total tackle with 11.5 sacks during his career.

Kyle Bolden, Jr, LB – Bolden has a real nose for the ball and it lead him to Second Team All-Southwest District honors as a sophomore. He finished ’14 with 116 total tackles and two fumble recoveries. That has led to offers from Cincinnati. Marshall and Illinois.

Desmond Noel, Sr, OG – Rock solid on the o-line Noel followed up a Second Team All-GMC sophomore season with Second Team All-Southwest District acclaim in ’14. 6-3

Nathan Niehaus, Sr, TE/OL – The 6-foot-6, 240 pound Niehaus has verbally committed to West Virginia. Niehaus should shine near the goal line as a pass catcher this fall.

Christian Dinevski, Jr, K – handled his first year as a starter with flying colors connecting on 48/53 extra points and 4/6 field goals for 60 points as a sophomore. He was a First Team All-GMC pick for his work.

Monalo Caldwell, Jr, RB – The power and force of the Cardinals backfield Calwell ran for 787 yards and seven scores as a sophomore. He was named Second Team All-GMC for his effort.

Keontae Jones, Jr, DB – One of six sophomore starters on the Cardinals defense in ’14 Jones was in on 37 total tackles with two interceptions and a sack. He was named Second Team All-GMC.

Howard Watkins, Jr, OG – One of the Cardinals top trenchmen the 6-foot-3, 250 pound Watkins earned Second Team All-GMC acclaim as a sophomore.

Amir Riep, Jr, DB – Riep benefitted greatly by starting as a freshman at Division V Roger Bacon. He slid into the Cardinals secondary just nicely. He had 36 total tackles and three takeaways (two fumble recoveries, one interception in his Colerain debut. Offers are already on the table from Cincinnati, Illinois, Toledo and Miami (OH).

Ryan Davis, Jr, LB, 6-0 202 – Davis is the real deal and will only get better. He recorded 50 total tackles with two sacks and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown as a sophomore.

OTHER RETURNEES
Dan Bolden, So, LB – He will no longer be known as Joe’s little brother after this season. Bolden will emerge as one of the Cardinals top defensive players after recording 40 total tackles and a sack as a freshman.

Kevin Hyde, Jr, WR/DB – A rising star Hyde is primed for a big year. He had three receptions for 68 yards and 22 tackles with an interception for the Cardinals a year ago. With the graduation of Jordan Asberry Hyde will see more opportunities as a receiver.

Zach Johnson, Sr, RB – In limited time Johnson ran for 142 yards and a touchdown as a junior.

Devin Williams, Sr, DL – Williams was in on 23 total tackles in ’14.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(17 appearances, 31-16) – 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006 (Regional Champions), 2005, 2004 (State Champions), 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 (Regional Champions), 1998, 1995, 1994 (Regional Champions)

2015 SCHEDULE
Starting the season with games against Warren Central (IN), St. Xavier and at LaSalle will test the Cardinals to their fullest. Colerain will be out to avenge losses from a year ago to the latter two. The GMC schedule should be a walk in the park compared to the non-conference tilts. The GMC’s two Division II schools – Princeton and Sycamore are not on the docket.

KINGS OF THE GMC
Colerain won its 15th consecutive Greater Miami Conference title in 2014. The Cardinals have won 45 consecutive GMC contests. The last time they lost a conference affair was on October 3rd, 2008 at Middletown, 42-39.

BRILLIANT UNDER BOLDEN
Colerain has been incredibly consistent under Tom Bolden. In his eight seasons the Cardinals have lost only seven regular season games. The other half of Bolden’s 14 career losses have come in the playoffs. Four times Colerain has gone unbeaten during the regular season under Bolden’s watch.

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