COLERAIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- The Colerain football team is ranked No. 14 nationally in the summer’s first preseason national high school football rankings by MaxPreps.
Colerain is the only Ohio team listed in MaxPreps Top 25 Early Football Contenders which was released Wednesday. Akron Archbishop Hoban — the reigning Division III state champion — is ranked No. 29 nationally.
Colerain (12-2), a Division I state semifinalist in 2015, returns nine starters on defense and four on offense.
The Cardinals are led by several standouts including senior-to-be cornerback Amir Riep, who has 48 scholarship offers. Senior linebacker Kyle Bolden and senior safety Keontae Jones were among other all-area standouts returning. Both have significant scholarship offers.
Bolden was named the TriStateFootball.com Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Year in 2015.
Offensively, junior Gunnar Leyendecker will be the team's quarterback. The Cardinals also return senior fullback Monalo Caldwell, who rushed for 1,343 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.
Colerain will be tested early in its schedule. The Cardinals are scheduled to open the season against Warren Central (Ind.) in the season opener. The complete Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown will likely be announced the week of June 13.
Colerain also plays at St. Xavier Week 2 and plays host to La Salle Week 3.
Colerain coach Tom Bolden begins his 10th season with a 96-16 career record.
