Colerain, Elder prevail in Cincinnati-area battles

Colerain's Alfred Ramsby continued to make a strong case for Cincinnati-area football player of the year consideration on Friday night.

In what was considered a much-hyped matchup between the Cincinnati area's top two teams in the Cincinnati Enquirer weekly coaches’ poll, Colerain (Cincinnati) defeated visiting Lakota West (West Chester) 57-44.

Colerain (9-0), ranked No. 19 nationally in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings and No. 1 in the Cincinnati Enquirer Division I area coaches’ poll, clinched at least a share of the Greater Miami Conference title with Friday’s win. Colerain plays host to Oak Hills next week and a Cardinals’ win would guarantee them an outright conference title. Colerain has won the GMC title 13 consecutive years.

On Friday, it was the senior quarterback Ramsby who stood out for the Cardinals. He was 8 of 12 passing for 158 yards and a touchdown and he also rushed 17 times for 230 yards and three touchdowns.

"He is special," Colerain coach Tom Bolden said.

However, the Cardinals had to rally for the victory. Lakota West (8-1), ranked No. 2 in the Enquirer poll, led 17-0 early in the second quarter and held a 30-28 advantage with 3:03 left in the third before the Cardinals surged ahead 36-30 with 38 seconds left in the quarter.

Ramsby’s two touchdowns in the fourth quarter put Colerain ahead 50-30 and the Cardinals sealed the win.

"Obviously he was the difference-maker in this game," said Lakota West coach Larry Cox. "He provides an element – run-pass threat – and does a great job with it. Hats off to him."

Both teams had a ton of offense: Colerain had 509 yards of total offense to Lakota West’s 408. Colerain led in rushing yards 351 to 207. Junior running back Detuan Smith added 91 yards rushing and two touchdowns for Colerain.

Lakota West junior quarterback Malik Grove accounted for five touchdowns – he threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 20 times for 123 yards and three touchdowns.

Colerain improved to 12-1 all-time against Lakota West — the first meeting was in 1997. Lakota West's only victory against Colerain came in 1999.

“I always say, ‘you do have to go through Colerain to get to a title,’” Cox told The Enquirer earlier this week.

Colerain, which moved up two spots to No. 19 nationally in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings, is ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press Division I statewide media poll this week. Colerain is rated No. 1 in the Division I, Region 4 computer points and is expected to host a first round playoff game.

Lakota West is ranked No. 8 in the AP Division I state poll. The Firebirds started the season at 8-0 for the first time ever. Lakota West plays host to district rival Lakota East Oct. 26.


Elder 38, Highlands (Fort Thomas, Ky.) 24 Visiting Elder (Cincinnati) won its third consecutive game Friday night with an impressive effort across the Ohio River against Kentucky state power Highlands.

Junior running back Chris Schroer rushed for 259 yards and scored five touchdowns to lead the Panthers (6-3), who continue to add momentum toward a playoff berth. Schroer had 210 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-14 win over Winton Woods on Oct. 12.

Elder improves to 5-1 all-time against Highlands after the win Friday. The Panthers had won four consecutive games until it lost to Highlands 34-29 on Oct. 21, 2011.

The loss snapped Highlands’ 42-game home win streak and it was the Bluebirds’ first home loss since 2006.

Elder entered Friday with the sixth position in the Division I, Region 4 computer points standings, according to the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

To conclude the regular season Elder faces Greater Catholic League South division opponent La Salle at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 26 at The Pit at Elder.

Highlands (8-1), the defending Kentucky Class 4A state champion, had scored at least 35 points in each of its past 14 games going back to last year’s win over Elder, according to the Enquirer.

Highlands completes the regular season at Ryle (Ky.) at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26.