Colerain's Jermaine Johnson tries to ward off Anderson's Mike Ahrens. (Brandi Stafford photos) | ZOOM |

        Colerain was shell-shocked early by Anderson's wide-open, no-huddle, shotgun offense. The Cardinals cure was previously unheard-of Jermaine Johnson.

        The sophomore running back, who gained 155 yards on 24 carries during the regular season, gained 225 yards and scored a late touchdown to lead Colerain to a 37-7 victory over the Redskins (8-3) in a Division I quarterfinal game at Colerain Saturday night.

        Johnson's electrifying contributions helped set up the three scores the Cardinals needed to wipe out an early 7-0 deficit.

        Colerain (11-0) advances to next Saturday's regional semifinal against St. Xavier.

        Serving as the pitch back in Colerain's option attack, he gained 22 yards on Colerain's first scoring drive to help open up a previously ineffective passing game. He scampered 16 yards on a reverse to spark the drive that led to the go-ahead field goal, and his 36-yard burst on Colerain's first possession of the second half set up fullback John Mohr's 3-yard touchdown plunge.

Anderson's Chris Gabor tackles Andy Mangold. | ZOOM |

        “I felt like I had to pick it up,” Johnson said. “The team was relying on me.”

        “They were determined to not let our fullback get any yards, and our quarterback was a little sick all week,” Colerain coach Kerry Coombs said. “It's great when you have another kid to pick up the slack.”

        “In an option offense, whatever phase is working is what you're going to do,” Anderson coach Vince Suriano said.

        Anderson's offense needed just one minute and 18 seconds to take a 7-0 lead. Senior quarterback Kenny Riddell, who gained 60 yards on 11 carries and completed nine passes for 93 yards in the first half, misfired on his first two passes before hitting his next four. The fourth was a 3-yard scoring toss to senior wide receiver Neal Rothfuss.

Mike Bumpus celebrates a sack. | ZOOM |

        The Redskins drove to the 10-yard line on their next series. Colerain called time out and Coombs lit into his defense.

        “I panicked,” he admitted. “They panicked. I was not very composed. I apologized to them at halftime.”

        Coombs' tirade had an impact. Senior defensive back Doug Monaghan stopped Riddell on fourth-and-one, and the suddenly rejuvenated Cardinals defense forced punts on the Redskins next five possessions.

        “They did a few things that hurt us, blitz-wise,” Suriano said. “We were out of synch offensively.”

        Colerain junior quarterback Sean Jones missed badly on his first six passes before he locked in with three consecutive completions to Monaghan, the last for 19 yards and a touchdown with one minute, 29 seconds in the half.

        Anderson ....... 7   0  0   0— 7

        Colerain ....... 0  10  14  13—37

        A—Rothfuss 3 pass from Riddell (Haukebo kick)

        C—Monaghan 19 pass from Jones (Crosby kick)

        C—Crosby 41 FG

        C—J. Mohr 3 run (Crosby kick)

        C—M. Johnson 3 run (Crosby kick)

        C—Jones 7 run (kick failed)

        C—J. Johnson 10 run (Crosby kick)

        Records: Anderson 8-2, Colerain 11-0.

        Complete prep football coverage at Enquirer.com/prepfootball

Sports Stories

Cincinnati football schedule Second-round pairings Fairfield 14, Moeller 7 Elder 42, Lebanon 12 Colerain 37, Anderson 7 St. Xavier 42, Western Hills 7 New Richmond 44, Logan Elm 12 Purcell Marian 41, Gallia Academy 12 Reading 41, Columbus Academy 20 Wyoming 23, Indian Hill 20