Last season head coach Jordan Stephens inherited a Colerain program that had somehow managed to go astray, lose its way and identity. He managed to make one small step forward in his first year as the team broke a 27-game losing streak but that was about the lone highlight.
It didn’t take Stephens long to figure out that the Cardinals just didn’t have what it takes to win battles in the trenches and the back of the baseball card doesn’t lie when making that correlation. Colerain has given up 31 points or more 21 times in their last 27 games (1-26). The offense has averaged 10.0 points per contest scoring seven or less 17 times with six shutouts. They haven’t had a winning season since 2020 (6-3).
On the brighter side, there is reason for Cardinals fans to be optimistic. The athletes are in place to do some damage. The offense should be highly entertaining. Colerain has no less than eight players that currently have Division I FBS offers. All but one of those are skill position players, Marquise Lindsey-Johnson is the lone lineman in that group. It all comes down to taking care of business along both sides of the line for success to come in 2026.
Division I, Region 4
2025 RECORD: 1-9, 1-8 GMC
COACH: Jordan Stephens (1-9 at Colerain, one year; 24-23 overall, four years)
HONOR ROLL
Roman Garr, Jr, QB, 6-4/190
Offers from: BGSU, Kent State, Miami (OH), Toledo & Wake Forest
2025 Honors: Second Team All-GMC
2025 Stats: 1,938 PaYds, 10 PaTDs, 253 RuYds, 2 RuTDs
Desean Flagg Jr., Jr, WR/DB, 6-1/180
Offers from: Arizona, BGSU, East Carolina, Florida International, Kent State, Liberty, Louisville, Marshall, Memphis, Miami (OH) & Western Kentucky
2025 Honors: Second Team All-GMC
2025 Stats: 32 rec., 616 ReYds, 3 ReTDs, 66 RuYds, 1 RuTD, 162 KRYs, 844 APYds & 4 TotTkls
TOP RETURNEES
Trey Smith, Sr, WR, 6-0/185
Offers from: Eastern Michigan, Memphis & Western Kentucky
2025 Stats: 24 rec., 295 ReYds, 3 ReTDs, 190 KRYs & 486 APYds
Career Stats: 54 rec., 619 ReYds, 3 ReTDs, 330 KRYs & 971 APYds
Tariq Evans Jr., Sr, WR, 5-9/170
2025 Stats: 18 RuYds, 22 rec., 312 ReYds & 12 KRYs
Malachi Smith, Jr, DB, 6-1/190
Offers from: BGSU, Kent State, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami (OH), Memphis, Penn State & Wisconsin
2025 Stats: 50 Tkls, 3.0 TFLs, 1 FF, 3 PDs, 3 rec., & 83 ReYds
Aaron Jacobs Jr. , Jr, WR, 6-1/170
Offers from: Eastern Kentucky, Howard, Miami (OH), West Georgia & Western Michigan
2025 Stats: 7G, 23 rec., 373 ReYds & 3 ReTDs
Tristan Von Rissen, Sr, LB, 6-0/220
2025 Stats: 45 Tkls, 3.5 sacks, 6.0 TFLs, 1 FF & 2 FRs
Career Stats: 67 Tkls, 3.5 sacks, 9.0 TFLs, 2 FFs & 3 FRs
Marquise Lindsey-Johnson, Jr, OT/DT, 6-3/275
Offers from: BGSU, Kent State & Western Kentucky
Angel Avalos, Jr, OL, 6-3/285
DeMonnie Dawson, So, ATH, 6-2/170
Offers from: BGSU, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kent State, Maryland & Purdue
2025 Stats: 47 Tkls, 1.0 sack, 5.0 TFLs, 1 Int, 14 IRYs, 8 RuYds, 1 RuTD, 6 rec. & 86 ReYds
JoJo Crooks, Sr, DB, 6-2/180
Committed to: Tennessee-Martin
2025 Stats: 54 Tkls & 1.5 TFLs
Career: 79 Tkls, 1.5 TFLs & 5 PDs
NEWCOMERS
K’Mahri Price, Sr, DB, 5-10/175
Transferred from: La Salle
2025 Honors: Second Team All-GCL South (DB)
2025 Stats: 47 Tkls, 2 PDs & 1 Int
Allen Brown Jr., Jr, DB, 5-10/160
Transferred from Princeton
Offers from: Akron, Howard & Miami (OH)
2025 Stats: 7G, 17 Tkls, 1.0 sacks, 2.5 TFLs & 1 FF
Fernando Zelaya, Sr, OL, 6-5/350
Transferred from: Princeton
Emery Burkett, Jr, WR/DB, 5-10/152
Transferred from: Princeton
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(25 appearances, 46-26) – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 (State Runner-up), 2017 (Regional Champion), 2016, 2015 (Regional Champion), 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006 (Regional Champion), 2005, 2004 (State Champion), 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 (state semifinalist), 1998, 1995 (2 wins forfeited), 1994 (Regional Champion)
2026 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/21/26 – LA SALLE (9-4 in 2025) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/28/26 – HAMILTON (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/04/26 – at Princeton (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/11/26 – FAIRFIELD (6-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/18/26 – MIDDLETOWN (11-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/25/26 – at Oak Hills (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/02/26 – at Sycamore (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/09/26 – at Lakota West (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/16/26 – LAKOTA EAST (8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/23/26 – at Mason (5-6) – 7:00 PM
