Colerain may yet lose a Greater Miami Conference football game this decade. It just doesn't seem like something that will happen soon, given the consistent margins of victory the Cardinals post against their league brethren.
Friday, Colerain rolled into the most anticipated GMC game since 2003 and eased home with a 42-3 victory over host Lakota East.
The teams shared the GMC championship a year ago, each going 7-0 in the league without meeting each other. Friday's game was the GMC opener for each this year, with Colerain (3-1, 1-0 GMC) ranked No. 3 in the Enquirer's Division I poll and Lakota East (2-2, 0-1) ranked No. 6.
Colerain hasn't lost a GMC game since 1999, a stretch covering 38 games. While the defending Division I state champs were the preseason GMC favorite, East was given the best chance of challenging as the preseason choice at No. 2 by league coaches.
"Everywhere you look, at each spot, they have a very, very good player," East coach Greg Bailie said when asked how someone might derail Colerain. "I know one thing you can't do: You can't go out and do what we did and make a bunch of mistakes and put yourselves in the hole."
East didn't look totally outclassed when it lined up with the Cardinals. Thunderhawks tailback Paul Bowen managed to run for 99 yards, and East's defense came up with four turnovers.
But with Colerain's triple-option offense hitting its highest gear yet under new quarterback Gary Pride, the margin for error for most opponents is small.
Colerain posted its most impressive offensive half of the season in the first half, rolling up 295 rushing yards and scoring five TDs on the way to a 35-3 halftime lead.
If it was a memorable night for anyone, it would be Colerain senior halfback Kyle Lumpkin. A speedster with only a limited role because of the depth of talent in Colerain's backfield the last two years, he broke out with a night of 11 carries for 162 yards and three TDs.
Asked if he felt rewarded for his perseverance, Lumpkin offered a little smile. "We just play the game, and what happens, happens," he said.
That seems to be the tricky reality Colerain is negotiating now. They're enjoying success, but viewed in light of last year's powerhouse team, it is hard to find just the right perspective.
Statistically, Colerain outgained East 431-137 in yardage Friday. Pride added 14 carries for 133 yards and a TD, while Terrence Sherrer chipped in with nine carries for 80 yards and his own TD.
East's only points came when Sam Coffey kicked a 36-yard field goal at the end of the first quarter after a fumble recovery.
Lakota East, a hard-luck team in going 9-1 last season but missing the playoffs, has to quickly regroup and try to make a run through GMC play to a strong finish.
"We'll find out about ourselves," Bailie said. "I think we have a chance to be (a good team), but it is tough on the road in this league."
<TABLE class=enqtable cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR class=enqtdhead><TD align=left>Colerain</TD><TD class=enqtd align=left>14</TD><TD class=enqtd align=left>21</TD><TD class=enqtd align=left>0</TD><TD class=enqtd align=left>7</TD><TD class=enqtd align=left>-42</TD></TR><TR><TD class=enqtd align=left>Lakota East</TD><TD class=enqtd align=left>3</TD><TD class=enqtd align=left>0</TD><TD class=enqtd align=left>0</TD><TD class=enqtd align=left>0</TD><TD class=enqtd align=left>-3</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
C - Lumpkin 39 run (Schulte kick)
C - Sherrer 18 run (Schulte kick)
LE - Coffey 36 FG
C - Pride 2 run (Schulte kick)
C - Clifford 33 pass from Pride (Schulte kick)
C - Lumpkin 57 run (Schulte kick)
C - Lumpkin 28 run (Schulte kick)
Records: C 3-1 (1-0 GMC), LE 2-2 (0-1 GMC)
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