High school football Top 25 Preseason Early Contenders: No. 14 Colerain

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Video: Early Contenders - Colerain
Cardinals continue to trot out elite defenses under Tom Bolden.

Head coach: Tom Bolden

2015 record (MaxPreps national rank): 12-2, OHSAA Division I semifinalist (No. 12)

Last decade: 109-17

Star power: CB Amir Riep (119), LB Kyle Bolden (735), S Keontae Jones (1,132) and Darrian Beavers (1735) and DT Howard Watkins (1,460)

Even more: Running back Monalo Caldwell (5-foot-9, 215 pounds) is a third-year starter, quarterback Gunnar Leyendecker takes over for all-everything Deshaunte Jones and Howard Watkins (6-5, 280) anchors the line.

See the Colerain preseason Top 25 photo shoot gallery

Game to watch: At St. Xavier (Cincinnati), Sept. 2

Briefly: The defense that held six opponents to single digits last year will be even better in 2016. … Linebacker Bolden, with offers from Illinois, Indiana and Cincinnati, is the son of coach Bolden. … Ohio State and Michigan State appear to be fighting it out for Riep.

Look for a full preview of the Cardinals on June 18.