Tyler Williams could be under center for Colerain this fall.
Photo by Wayne Litmer
While the stifling July humidity is expected to continue this week, the Cardinals continue to get ready for their season opener against Northmont (Clayton, Ohio) in a primetime showdown at 8:15 p.m. Aug. 28 at the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium.
"Our summer workouts have been awesome,” said Bolden, who added that 117 players have been lifting weights since the end of November.
Colerain, which has won the Greater Miami Conference title (either outright or shared) for 10 consecutive seasons, missed the postseason last year for the first time since 1999.
Bolden said the Cardinals (8-2 in 2009) have a chip on their shoulder with the way last season ended. That attitude has been present in conditioning on the field and in conversations among players, Bolden said.
Colerain, No. 20 in MaxPreps.com's look at national contenders this summer, returns 14 starters, including seven players on each side of the ball.
Offensively, the Cardinals return senior fullback Trayion Durham and senior Tyler Williams.
Durham, who has several significant scholarship offers including Colorado, Minnesota, Kentucky and Wisconsin, rushed for 1,113 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Williams, who also has multiple offers, rushed for 893 yards and eight touchdowns.
Williams is a candidate for the team’s quarterback position in the triple-option offense, Bolden said.
Defensively, the Cardinals are led by senior linebacker Jarrett Grace, who verbally committed to Notre Dame in April. Grace had 94 tackles, one sack and two interceptions last season.
"Jarrett has done a phenomenal job," Bolden said. "He is the All-American in the classroom, in the community and in the weight room."
Other top defensive leaders include senior linebacker Andrew Smith (offers from Cincinnati, Stanford and Virginia), junior linebacker Joe Bolden (offer from Cincinnati), junior defensive lineman Jake Blust and senior cornerback Chris Dukes (offers from Louisville, Colorado, Boston College and Pittsburgh).
2. Rose commits to West Virginia: Centerville (Centerville, Ohio) senior defensive end Kyle Rose made a verbal commitment to play at West Virginia last week, according to multiple reports. Rose, who is 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, also reportedly had offers from Cincinnati, Kansas, Indiana and Mid-American Conference schools, according to ScoutingOhio.com.
"Once (West Virginia) offered me, they were my top school immediately,” Rose told the Dayton Daily News.
Rose had 54 tackles and six sacks last season, according to the publication. He is the third Centerville player to make a college commitment from the 2011 class. Lineman Michael Bennett (Ohio State) and linebacker Mike Replogle (Indiana) made earlier commitments this year.
3. Upper Arlington tennis player named All-American: Upper Arlington (Columbus, Ohio) senior Niki Flower was recently named an All-American by the National High School All-American Tennis Foundation, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Flower has made a commitment to play college tennis at Ohio State, according to the publication. Flower defeated Cincinnati Ursuline junior Komal Safdar 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 for the Division I state title in Columbus last fall.
4. Ringer has two early offers: Clayton Northmont junior linebacker Kaleb Ringer has two early verbal scholarship offers, including the University of Cincinnati and Iowa. Ringer, one of the state’s top players in the 2012 class, is 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, according to ScoutingOhio.com.
Ringer is a versatile threat for the Thunderbolts. He had a sack, two interception and three fumble recoveries last season, according to the Greater Western Ohio Conference website. He also returned kickoffs.
5. Muff named Mason softball coach: Liann Muff has been named the new Mason (Mason, Ohio) head softball coach, pending Board of Education approval. Muff, who has been an assistant Mason coach for the past eight years, started in 2003 when Brian Castner was hired as head coach. Castner stepped down after this spring in order to concentrate on his head football coaching duties.
"It is an honor to be chosen to lead a program that I am so proud of and have so much respect," Muff said. "I’m looking forward to working with the talented and hardworking players at Mason High School. My goal will be to continue the tradition of excellence with a sound fundamental approach."
The Comets won their first Greater Miami Conference title this past spring with a 22-6 record. Mason has made seven consecutive district final appearances. Mason was a state semifinalist in 2007 and 2008.
Recruiting news
Fairfield (Fairfield, Ohio) outfielder Will Drake has verbally committed to play baseball at Michigan. Drake was first-team All-Greater Miami Conference as a junior. He hit .379 with five doubles and 23 RBI for the Indians. …Purcell Marian (Cincinnati, Ohio) defensive lineman Tyrone Patel (6-2, 305) was offered by Notre Dame College, a Division II program in northeast Ohio on Monday. It is his first offer. …Marion-Franklin (Columbus, Ohio) wide receiver Jeremy McCoy (6-3, 198) has been offered by Kent State, according to ScoutingOhio.com. ...Fairfield senior linebacker Marquise Vann is expected to visit Minnesota this week, according to the Enquirer. He has several scholarship offers, including Duke, Stanford, Michigan State and Minnesota.
Random thoughts
Bishop Fenwick (Franklin, Ohio) has named Mike Asbeck as its new athletic director, according to the Dayton Daily News. Asbeck worked at De Sales High School in Columbus for the past six years, according to the publication. …The Princeton (Cincinnati, Ohio) at Sycamore (Cincinnati, Ohio) football game will be televised locally on a digital channel on Thursday, Sept. 16. The game will start at 7 p.m. and production is being handled by the Princeton students. …Thomas Worthington’s Lauren Porteus has been named an All-American in girls’ water polo, according to the Dispatch. Porteus, a Colorado State commit, led Thomas Worthington to a state title this past season, according to the publication. …The Madison Senior (Middletown, Ohio) boys basketball team went 12-1 in summer competition and a 5-1 record at the Michigan Team Camp.
