SHARONVILLE — If you want to visit the center of Greater Cincinnati's prep football universe, steer your car tonight to the northern loop of Interstate 275, exit and take a short drive into southern Butler County.

A banner celebrating more than 100 years of Hamilton High football hangs on the High Street bridge in downtown Hamilton. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

        Within a few miles, you'll find four of this week's Top 10 Enquirer Poll, Division I high school football teams: Colerain, Hamilton, Princeton and Fairfield.

        This area's hotbed of football sizzles as the No. 1 Colerain Cardinals travel to take on fifth-ranked Hamilton's Big Blue and the No. 6 Princeton Vikings visit the ninth-ranked Indians of Fairfield.

        Most of the coaches of these schools attribute their collective gridiron excellence to a combination of winning traditions, off-field fan and community support and popular feeder systems of youth programs.

        But to Hamilton High coach Ed Mignery, it's mainly tradition — and he should know, having devoted the last 14 years of his coaching life to this Butler County school with 109 years of storied football history.

        His team reflects the city's hard-working, industrial roots. The the city's adult residents are loyal and pass their values to the community's youngsters.

        “Sports is the front door to any community, and our people in this city have always been proud of and supported its football team,” said Mr. Mignery.

        Princeton High coach Scott Miltenberger, a 19-year-veteran of the Viking program and long-time southern Butler County resident, agreed about the role of tradition.

Princeton High Coach Scott Miltenberger shares a laugh with Viking tight end Ryan McElroy during a practice at the school on Chester Road. (Dick Swaim photo) | ZOOM |

        “Kids in elementary and junior high in Princeton can't wait to play varsity football for the Vikings,” he explained.

        Wearing the Viking horns emblem on a football helmet is something earned only when a player makes the varsity squad, and youngsters learn early to value the symbol, he said.

        The tradition is also fed by popular boys' football leagues in the Princeton school district where players “learn at a young age about value of competition ... the kids learn early it takes hard work to get to the top.”

        Colerain High Cardinal coach Kerry Coombs said Greater Cincinnati in general has a love affair with prep football.

        But size is also a factor, he said, noting that all four schools each enroll at least 1,000 students.

        “These are all big communities where what the kids do is very important. People get together on Friday evenings at football games; and anytime you have larger numbers, you can have tradition,” said Mr. Coombs.

        Doug Foster, 62, is a retired Hamilton resident who has followed Big Blue football for decades and said the success of all four schools lies in their fan base.

        “A lot of high school games you'll see mostly kids in the stands. But when these teams play, you'll see a lot of older people in the crowd. The teams represent their whole community,” said Mr. Foster.

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