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Colerain now alone atop GMC

By Brady Laber

CINCINNATI – When a head coach references a multi-time
world heavyweight professional wrestling champion, it’s a big win.

“To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man,” is what Colerain head
coach Tom Bolden told his team after a 48-28 win over Lakota West in a
battle for first place in the Greater Miami Conference.

Colerain (6-1, 4-0) won its 49th consecutive GMC regular season game
and has only lost one league contest since 1999. The Cardinals now
lead the series against Lakota West 14-1.

The Cardinals scored touchdowns on its first five possessions to put
the game out of reach early.

“Right now we are a freight train and the teams are going to keep
coming so we need to keep the train rolling,” Bolden said.

The two teams came into the game sporting three-game winning streaks
and tied for first place in the GMC standings. After the game, the
Cardinals showed that once again they were head and shoulders above
the Firebirds as Colerain out-gained Lakota West in total offense
446-240.

Lakota West (4-3, 3-1) went three-and-out on its first two possessions
and Colerain responded with touchdowns each time.

Rushing touchdowns by quarterback Deshaunte Jones and Gunnar
Leyendecker gave Colerain a quick 14-0 advantage.

Lakota West looked like they were shaking off the initial Cardinals
surge. Running back Danny Okatasongo ripped off a pair of nice runs
for first down gains.

However, the Firebirds went to the air and Cardinal defensive back
Amir Riep made them pay. Riep intercepted a pass by Lakota West
quarterback Tony White that setup another Colerain score.

Zach Johnson capped off a five-play drive and the game was all but
over with the Cardinals ahead, 20-0.

The Colerain offense was clicking on all cylinders after Jones scored
his second rushing touchdown of this night.

The Cardinals even went to the passing game as Jones connected with
Javon Hicks for a 47-yard touchdown pass.

“I was just trying to help my team and make plays. They were keying on
Monalo (Caldwell) which opened things up for me,” Jones said after the
game. “I like to throw the ball, and its was a great feeling to throw
a touchdown pass.”

Jones combined for 242 total yards of offense, 154 rushing and 88 passing.

Colerain's Deshaunte Jones (Brady Laber/TSF).

Colerain’s Deshaunte Jones (Brady Laber/TSF).

Lakota West did not score until Sean Mahone blocked a field goal
attempt at the end of the half and returned it 70 yards for a
touchdown.

The Firebirds scored 21 points in the fourth quarter with many of the
Colerain starters out the game to make the final score a bit more
respectable.

Next week Colerain travels to Liberty Township to take on the Lakota
East Thunderhawks. Lakota West also plays on the road against a very
tough GMC opponent, the Hamilton Big Blue.

This is the link to my post game interview with Deshaunte Jones:
https://youtu.be/_vn-tKzu-CI

SCORE BY QUARTERS
1 2 3 4 T
Lakota West – 0 7 0 21 28
Colerain – 20 14 7 7 48
SCORING PLAYS
1st Quarter
COL – Deshaunte Jones 15-yard TD run (Christian Dinevski kick)
COL – Gunnar Leyerdecker 34-yard TD run (Christian Dinevski kick)
COL – Zach Johnson 5-yard TD run (kick failed)
2nd Quarter
COL – Deshaunte Jones 8-yard TD run (Christian Dinevski kick)
COL – Deshaunte Jones 47-yard TD pass to Da’von Hicks (Christian Dinevski kick)
LW – Sean Mahone 70-yard blocked field goal return for a TD (Jack Nguyen kick)
3rd Quarter
COL – Monalo Caldwell 1-yard TD run (Christian Dinevski kick)
4th Quarter
LW – Danny Okatasongo 13-yard TD run (Jack Nguyen kick)
COL – Gunnar Leyerdecker 12-yard TD run (Christian Dinevski kick)
LW – Tony Pierre 90-yard kickoff return TD (Jack Nguyen kick)
LW – Zelwyn Robinson 40-yard TD run (Jack Nguyen kick)

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