It has been a pretty good two years at
the helm for Tom Bolden, who followed the legendary Kerry Coombs as the Colerain
coach in 2007. In two seasons, the Cardinals have gone 21-3 under Bolden and he has some young but experienced players returning to continue that success.
Colerain (11-2)
* Players to Watch – QB Greg Tabar (6-0, 180, Sr.),
OLB Tyon Dixon (6-0, 200, Sr.), FB Trayion Durham (6-1, 227, Jr.), RB Tyler
Williams (5-8, 155, Jr.), C Brandon Good (6-2, 265, Sr.), MLB Jarrett Grace
(6-4, 235, Jr.), S Bam Harrison (5-9, 180, Sr.), CB Chris Dukes (5-10, 178,
Jr.).
* Outlook – It has been a pretty good two years at
the helm for Tom Bolden, who followed the legendary Kerry Coombs as the Colerain
coach in 2007. In two seasons, the Cardinals have gone 21-3 under Bolden.
Last year, Colerain downed Cincinnati Moeller and Huber
Heights Wayne in the playoffs before falling to Cincinnati Elder 27-20 in double
overtime in a heartstopping regional final.
Earlier in the season, Middletown snapped Colerain’s string
of 61 straight Greater Miami Conference wins. But the Cardinals still won the
conference title.
Bolden welcomes back seven starters on offense and six on
defense.
“Without a doubt, we are still a young team,” Bolden said.
“We played six sophomores last year. They did not perform like sophomores. They
excelled. Defensively, we think we will be as athletic and as fast as we have
ever been.”
Tabar is a caretaker in the option offense, although he
threw for 515 yards and six touchdowns last year. Williams and Durham each
eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark last year. Williams finished with 1,269 yards and
16 TDs rushing, while Durham had 1,032 yards and nine scores.
“We feel like our offensive line will be built more like a
triple option line,” Bolden said. “They are very athletic. Our guys have worked
hard in the weight room. We have 17 300-pound bench press guys and two 400-pound
benchers. We should be as strong as we’ve ever been – probably up with our 2004
team.”
Grace is a guy to keep an eye on at middle linebacker.
“He was offered by Cincinnati as a sophomore,” Bolden said.
“Not only is he 6-4, 235 pounds but he is strong and athletic. He has started on
the basketball team here since his freshman year. He is also No. 4 in that
(2011) class academically with a 4.0 GPA.
Colerain meets rival Cincinnati St. Xavier in the Crosstown
Showdown and visits state runner-up Cincinnati Elder as well. The Elder game
could be a Sunday telecast on one of the ESPN networks.
“We probably have the hardest schedule we’ve ever had,”
Bolden said.
Another GMC title will be the goal when the conference
season arrives.
“We know in our league that Lakota West will be good this
year,” Bolden said. “They have a lot of retuning talent. You also have to look
at Middletown and Sycamore as well.”
Schedule
Aug. 28, vs. Cincinnati St. Xavier (Skyline Chili Crosstown
Showdown at UC’s Nippert Stadium), 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 6, at Cincinnati Elder, noon
Sept. 11, Louisville (Ky.) DuPont Manual
Sept. 18, Liberty Twp. Lakota East
Sept. 24, at Hamilton, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2, Cincinnati Princeton
Oct. 9, at Cincinnati Sycamore
Oct. 16, at Mason
Oct. 24, Middletown, 7 p.m.
Oct. 30, at Cincinnati Oak Hills
