2016 Snapshot: Colerain

To begin the 2014 season Colerain head coach Tom Bolden found himself having to start six sophomores and play a freshman heavily on defense. Those Cardinals started the year 0-3 allowing 35.7 points in the losses. The youngsters rebounded to win eight games in a row before falling in the second round of the playoffs to St. Xavier.

Colerain Head Coach Tom Bolden (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Now those sophomores will be seniors this fall and could very well end up being one of the best defenses Colerain has ever seen. All seven of the aforementioned players have Division I FBS scholarship offers. The Cardinals are coming off a season in which they allowed just 13.5 points per game. To say Colerain is loaded on defense would be an understatement.

Bolden’s biggest concern this season will be on the offensive line where the Cardinals will have to replace five starters. Colerain shouldn’t have any problem finding players to fill those voids as they seem to grow them big in Green and Colerain Townships.

This team has all the makings of being special. Motivation is also on the Cardinals side after falling in the state semifinal game last fall. A state title is the one thing that has eluded Bolden who enters his 10th season at the helm for Colerain. You can take it to the bank that his players will be giving it their all for coach and that is a scary thought if you are the opposition.

Division I, Region 2
2014 RECORD: 12-2, 7-0 GMC
COACH: Tom Bolden (96-16 @ Colerain, nine years, 96-16 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Kyle Bolden,Sr, LB – Bolden is the reigning TriState Football Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Ohio selection. It was a junior season in which he recorded 93 tackles and collected three-and-a-half sacks. Bolden currently holds offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Marshall, Maryland, Miami (OH), Nevada and Toledo.

Colerain DB Amir Riep (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Amir Riep, Sr, DB – Riep is the reigning GMC Defensive Player of the Year who was also a Second Team All-Ohio selection and TriState Football Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Year finalist as a junior. He led the team with seven interceptions and also had two fumble recoveries. One of the premier defensive backs in the country, Riep has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Arizona, Bowling Green, California, Cincinnati, Duke, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Marshall, Maryland, Miami (OH), Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Tennessee, Toledo, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, UCLA, USC and Wisconsin.

Keontae Jones,Sr, SS – A hot commodity this off-season, Jones was named Second Team All-Southwest District after getting in on 80 tackles, registering two sacks with a fumble recovery and four interceptions including a pick six in ’15. Jones has offers from Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Maryland, Miami (OH), Purdue, Rutgers, Toledo, Virginia Tech, Western Michigan and Wisconsin.

Howard Watkins, Sr, DL – A force on the defensive line, Watkins garnered First Team All-GMC honors in ’15. The 6-foot-5, 290 pound Watkins has offers from Cincinnati, Columbia, East Carolina, Georgia State, Illinois, Indiana, Miami (OH) and Rutgers.

Darrian Beavers, Sr, FS – Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 210 pounds, Beavers is a big, physical presence at safety, He was a First Team All-GMC selection last fall. Beavers has offers from Bowling Green and Miami (OH).

Monalo Caldwell, Sr, RB – A First Team All-GMC selection last fall, Caldwell has 2,134 yards and 25 touchdowns rushing in his career.

Colerain DB Ryan Davis (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Ryan Davis, Sr, LB – A two-year starter at linebacker, Davis is among the top tacklers on the team. He is one of the strongest players in the program. Davis who was a Second Team All-GMC selection as a junior has offers from Toledo and Tennessee-Martin.

Dan Bolden, Jr, LB – Bolden was one of just four sophomores to be named First Team All-GMC in ‘15. He was the top tackler for the Cardinals defense and is physical run stopper who finished the year with 107 total tackles, had three sacks and an interception. Bolden has an offer from Iowa State.

Gunnar Leyendecker, Jr, QB – After playing running back last fall, Leyendecker will be looked upon to take the helm under center. Leyendecker who has great speed and awareness was a stat sheet filler as a sophomore. He threw for 72 yards, had one touchdown pass, ran for 516 yards, caught 16 balls for 258 yards, amassed 784 all-purpose yards and found the end zone 12 times (nine rushing, three receiving) to earn Second Team All-GMC honors.

OTHER RETURNEES
Kevin Hyde, Sr, WR/DB – A healthy Hyde is poised for a breakout senior campaign. Over the past two seasons Hyde has been in on 35 tackles, picked off two passes and has six receptions including one for a touchdown.

Javon Hicks, Jr, WR – A deep ball threat who also contributed as a defensive back, Hicks caught nine balls for 230 yards (25.6/rec.) and scored a pair of touchdowns as a sophomore. He also added an interception for the Cardinals.

NEWCOMERS
Brady Flynn, Sr, LB – A transfer from La Salle, Flynn brings experience and leadership with his two state championship rings.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(18 appearances, 34-17) – 2015 (State Semi-finalist), 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)

Colerain’s Howard Watkins (58) & Monalo Caldwell (25) (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

2016 SCHEDULE
Colerain will face La Salle, Warren Central (IN) and St. Xavier in non-conference play. The Greater Miami Conference portion will see the Cardinals play everyone but Hamilton and Lakota East. They will host potential GMC playoff teams Sycamore, Mason and Fairfield.

HOME SWEET HOME
Since 2004, the Cardinals have gone a combined 62-2 at Colerain Stadium.

PLAYOFF PRESTIGE
Colerain has never lost a first round playoff game.

KINGS OF THE GMC
Colerain won its 16th consecutive GMC title in 2015. The Cardinals have won 45 consecutive league contests. The last time they lost a conference affair was on October 3rd, 2008 at Middletown, 42-39.

INTERSTATE SUCCESS
In the history of Colerain football which dates back to 1935 the Cardinals have gone 20-1 versus teams outside of the state of Ohio. Their only loss was to Louisville Trinity in ’14.

**A special thanks to Colerain assistant coach Phil Joseph and all his help on this article**

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