Princeton's football team remains the top-ranked Division I program in Ohio, collecting nine of 14 first-place votes and 133 total points in the Associated Press state poll released Tuesday, Oct. 20.
The Vikings (9-0, 8-0 Greater Miami Conference) held the No. 1 spot they have occupied all season, according to the Journal-News. Lakewood St. Edward (8-1) sat second with four first-place votes and 121 points. Gahanna Lincoln (9-0) was third with one first-place vote and 100 points. Perrysburg (9-0) ranked fifth with 69 points.
Three other Cincinnati-area programs made the Division I top seven: Elder (7-2) at No. 6 with 61 points, No. 4 Lakota West (8–1), with 96 points, and Moeller (6-3) at No. 7 with 45 points.
Princeton earned the latest poll nod after rolling past Oak Hills 39-7 on Friday, Oct. 16. Senior defensive back Gianni Simpson grabbed two interceptions with 64 return yards in that game, according to TriState Football's Player of the Week ballot.
The lopsided win was no outlier. TriState Football reported that since Week 3, Princeton has averaged 46.6 points per game. The Vikings opened the season by beating Moeller 31-24 at Paycor Stadium, then knocked off Colerain 49-6 in Week 3 and survived six turnovers to edge Lakota West 27-24 in Week 5.
Head coach Andre Parker's assessment after that Lakota West comeback captured the team's grit. "You don't have six turnovers and win a game. You have to be a special team to do that," Parker told TriState Football in coverage published in September.
The roster has produced standout performances throughout the run. Running back Jordan Hall rushed for 100 yards and four touchdowns on 10 carries in the Colerain blowout, according to TriState Football. Quarterback Monsanna Torbert rushed for 188 yards against Lakota West, and Key'Sean Torbert returned a kickoff 68 yards for a touchdown in that same game.
Princeton closes the regular season Friday, Oct. 23, at home against Fairfield (5-4, 4-4 GMC). TriState Football's Blitz 5 rankings list the Indians at No. 16 and note they have won three straight since sophomore quarterback Parker Randall took over as starter.
