Colerain runs past St. Xavier

MASON, oh – Every once in a while a player steps out and rises above all the others in playoff football. He is usually a senior that has the desire not to bow out in his last go around. Deshaunte Jones of Colerain was the man on that mission Saturday night.

Jones orchestrated an impressive offensive display for the Cardinals in their convincing 42-14 second-round playoff victory over rival St. Xavier. It was the second time that Colerain has beaten the Bombers this year. The stars seem to be aligning for a Cardinals’ squad that has the makings of being something special.

In Week 2 Colerain eked out a 13-10 overtime win against St. Xavier on a very hot Sunday afternoon. The Bombers stymied Jones, holding him to 53 yards on 25 carries. Jones carried the ball 15 times for 229 yards and three touchdowns as the Colerain offense amassed 502 yards on 47 carries with six trips to the end zone on Saturday against the Bombers.

Colerain QB Deshaunte Jones (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball)

Jones’ mastery of the offense rarely left the Cardinals in third-and-long situations. Colerain converted 7-of-8 third downs and also numerous huge runs by a stable of backs in the contest.

“There is no question he is the best football player in the state,” Bolden said about Jones. “No disrespect to all the great players in Cincinnati and all over. That’s the most dynamic guy out there.”

Down the stretch Jones has really elevated his game. He has rushed for at least 135 yards with 12 touchdowns in the last four weeks. On the season, the senior has 1,591 yards and 26 touchdowns rushing.

In addition to Jones’ outburst, but a bevy of underclassmen that had big moments for the Colerain defense. Kyle Bolden, cousin Danny Bolden and defensive back Amir Riep were flying all over the field and making big and resounding plays for the Cardinals; defense.

“We have a great team concept and they have a great unit concept,” Bolden said of his defense. “They run fast and hit hard. You ask people who plays us, they just smother teams. They come at you hard and when you can do that it wears on people. If you are going to win the whole thing. You gotta do it with defense.”

St. Xavier came out of the gate delivering the blows. The Bombers marched down the field pushing Colerain back on its heels, but had to settle for a 31-yard field goal attempt that missed just wide right. The Cardinals would tighten up after that giving just 75 yards on 20 carries to St. X in the first half.

Like most postseasons for Colerain, the road seems to always be cluttered with very good GCL South foes. That will happen again next weekend for the Cardinals as they will face Elder. In 2012 Colerain beat the Panthers in 35-34 in overtime. In ’08 Elder knocked off the Cardinals 27-20 in overtime.

ST. XAVIER 0-7-0-7-14
vs COLERAIN 7-14-7-14-42

C: Caldwell 2 run (Dinevski kick)
C: D. Jones 21 run (Dinevski kick)
S: Davin 9 pass from Clifford (Maciag kick)
C: D. Jones 2 run (Dinevski kick)
C: Leyendecker 61 run (Dinevski kick)
C: D. Jones 69 run (Dinevski kick)
C: Z. Johnson 44 run (Dinevski kick)
S: Raines 72 kickoff return (Maciag kick)
RECORDS: Colerain (11-1); St. Xavier (7-5)

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