The
Colerain (Cincinnati, Ohio) Cardinals received a little bit more of their swagger back Thursday night at Princeton.
Colerain never truly lost its flair, but the Cardinals wasted little time in putting on a show for those in attendance at Viking Stadium and on a regional cable TV network Thursday with a 56-7 win.
It was a statement of sorts for Colerain, which escaped with a 17-14 win over visiting Hamilton less than a week ago. On Thursday night, the Cardinals were never in jeopardy. Colerain (8-0, 5-0 Greater Miami Conference) held a 35-0 lead and never looked back.
“We’re real confident,” Colerain senior linebacker
Andrew Smith said. “But we know with what happened last week we need to stay focused and work hard every day.”
The Cardinals, rated No. 11 nationally by the MaxPreps Xcellent 25, had a dominant performance on both sides of the ball over host Princeton in a Greater Miami Conference game in suburban Cincinnati.
Colerain racked up 409 net rushing yards to just 5 net rushing yards for Princeton. Colerain coach Tom Bolden said the balance in the backfield paid significant dividends.
Colerain senior fullback
Trayion Durham led the Cardinals with 21 carries for 122 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore
Chris Davis – playing just about 75 to 80 percent because of a slight hamstring issue – scored three touchdowns in the first half.
Defensively, Colerain limited Princeton (3-5, 1-4) to just eight first downs while Colerain had 23 first downs. Senior linebacker
Jarrett Grace (Notre Dame commit) led the Cardinals with four tackles. Smith had a sack and 1½ tackles.
“Our kids run fast and they hit hard,” Bolden said of the defense. “I keep saying that over and over but that is the biggest thing. When you can fly to the ball and make tackles and when you hit hard that takes a toll on teams.”
Colerain’s potent attack was even more apparent on TV.
Colerain relishes the spotlight – especially on TV. It was the second time a Colerain game was televised this season and it’s safe to say the Cardinals certainly enjoy rising to the occasion on the scoreboard.
Thursday’s game was televised by a regional cable network in Southwest Ohio, while the Cardinals’ 44-12 win over visiting Elder was televised statewide on a cable network on Sept. 3.
Williams admitted there was extra motivation being on TV Thursday night, but he said “you have to bring your ‘A’ game because everyone is gunning for us.”
Colerain next plays host to Sycamore on Oct. 22. The Cardinals have won 56 consecutive home games since 1999.
Bolden said the extra rest will be “huge” in terms of getting ready physically for the Sycamore game, which is also homecoming.
Colerain hasn’t lost to a GMC opponent since a road game at Middletown on Oct. 3, 2008.
Princeton next plays at Oak Hills on Oct. 22.
Princeton hasn’t defeated Colerain since 1997, according to the Princeton athletic department.
Colerain 56, Princeton 7 Colerain 28-7-7-14--56
Princeton 0-0-0-7--7
C-Mimes 48 run (Budke kick)
C-Durham 8 run (Budke kick)
C-Davis 39 pass from Williams (Budke kick)
C-Davis 5 run (Budke kick)
C-Davis 7 run (Budke kick)
C-Williams 17 run (Budke kick)
C-Dustin Smith 5 run (Budke kick)
P-Cornwall 78 pass from McGill (Reisen kick)
C-Dustin Smith 5 run (Budke kick)
Records: C 8-0, 5-0 GMC; P 3-5, 1-4
