Friday, September 22, 2000
No. 1 Colerain returns to winning ways
Battle's return part of Cardinals' resurgence
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Colerain LB James Battle
(Craig Ruttle photo)
| ZOOM |
|
Off to a 4-0 start, Colerain could erase the bitter memories of the 1995 season when the Cardinals were forced to forfeit their 13 consecutive wins when it was discovered they had used an ineligible player. Colerain also was declared out of the Division I state championship game.
Since that ill-fated season, Colerain has qualified for the state playoffs only once (1998) but failed to advance past the regional championship.
At one time, coach Kerry Coombs envisioned that the 2000 season could equal or surpass 1995. But Coombs learned in February that quarterback Mike Ferris was skipping the season.
If that wasn't bad enough, Coombs was informed that a knee injury sustained by middle linebacker James Battle during a preseason scrimmage against Moeller was career-ending.
Although the initial assessment of Battle's injury was off the mark, Coombs was forced to come up with an alternate plan for the opening game against Elder at Nippert Stadium.
“Mike (Ferris) is a great baseball player and we wish him the best,” Coombs said. “He got hurt both years playing football and told me he'd have a hard time forgiving himself if he got hurt again and couldn't play baseball.”
A projected first round draft choice in the 2001 Major League Baseball draft, Ferris was The Cincinnati Enquirer's Player of the Year in baseball, leading the area in most hitting categories.
Knowing of the decision by Ferris early gave Coombs and his staff time to decide on Sean Jones, a wing back last year, as the new quarterback.
A 5-foot-11, 180 pound junior, Jones has filled the bill, giving the Cardinals a needed passing game (26-for-44, 352 yards) while also picking up 300 yards rushing.
Running backs John Mohr (453 yards), Maurice Johnson (320 yards) and Robbie Loehner (287 yards) have also played an integral role in the team's success.
With the offense averaging 32.5 points and 345.2 yards a game despite a young and inexperienced line, the defense also has come through in grand fashion, giving up an average of 90.5 yards a game.
Battle missed only the first series against Elder before he was inserted back into the lineup, only seven days after suffering a sprained anterior cruciate ligament injury.
“James came to practice on Wednesday after the scrimmage on crutches,” Coombs said. “The next day we went to Nippert Stadium to practice, he was in full equipment.”
“I heard the knee pop and the leg went numb and I lost my breath,” Battle, a 5-foot-11, 215 pound senior,said. “I thought the season was over after the trainer told me it was an ACL and LCL injury.”
When the pain subsided several days later and Dr. Angelo Colosimo examined the knee, Battle had hopes of returning by mid season.
“The leg still hurt but I wanted to play,” Battle said. “The trainers did a tape job on me and it felt good against Elder. After the game, it hurt almost as much as after the injury.”
Intent on impressing the college recruiters, Battle plans to continue playing despite the pain.
“I'd say I'm about 95 percent recovered,” Battle said. “I know it's not going to get better until after the season when I can rest it.”
One of 10 returning defensive starters, Battle is the acknowledged leader of a Cardinals unit that includes Kevin Sablosky, Ryan Hughett, Mike Bumpus, Jesse Dailey, Adam Meier, Buddy Spears, Tony Thompson, Charles Bishop and Doug Monaghan.
Battle is familiar with adversity and this latest battle is minor compared to the first.
“I payed football in junior high but never got in the games,” Battle said. “I was 5-foot-5 and 240 pounds and known as the little fat guy who couldn't run.”
Battle didn't play as a freshman because of a loss of interest, and he was academically ineligible as a sophomore.
“Coach Coombs pulled me aside and told me I could start as a junior if I got my grades up,” Battle said. “I believed him and got with it. I started doing my homework and also working out in the weight room. I wouldn't be where I am today without coach Coombs.”
Battle earned a starting position at middle linebacker as a junior and quickly earned the reputation as a hitter.
“Our only goal is to win, win and win some more games,” Battle said. “If we win games, everything else will follow.”
Complete prep football coverage at Enquirer.com/prepfootball
Sports Stories
