News
Princeton's P.J. Nelson Selected as LaRosa's MVP of the Week
Press Release from LaRosa's High MVP of the Week program:
NAME: Paul Nelson
SCHOOL: Princeton High School
SPORT(S): Football
GRADUATING YEAR: 2025
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: 2023 Ohio Defensive Player of the Year
BIRTHDATE: 2/4/2007
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'2"-210 lbs.
RESIDENCE: Glendale
PARENT: Vivian Thomas
BIGGEST INFLUENCE: “LeBron James”
FUTURE GOAL: Play in the NFL
One of the best linebackers in the state of Ohio is Princeton High School senior Paul (“P.J.”) Nelson.
He entered this season coming off a great junior campaign when he accumulated 89 tackles (53 solo tackles), a league-leading 12 sacks, five forced fumbled, two fumble recoveries (one for a TD) and a pick-six interception. This season, after ten games, he leads the GMC in tackles with 115 (73 of which are solo tackles) to go along with a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and an interception. The Vikings have won back-to-back GMC titles.
He was a major contributor to a 12-1 Viking team that finished an undefeated 10-0 in last year's regular season and won the outright championship of the tough Greater Miami Conference for the first time since 1993. He anchored a Princeton defense that allowed a mere 11 points per game. Princeton advanced to the regional semifinals where they lost to Lakota West.
For his work on the field, P.J. received numerous honors, including being named GMC Player of the Year, Cincinnati Div. I Defensive Player of the Year (Enquirer), Southwest Ohio District Defensive Co-Player of the Year, TriState Football's Defensive Player of the Year, and Ohio Div. I Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named Cincinnati Defensive Player of the Year by the Cincinnati Enquirer High School Sports All-Star Awards.
P.J. will play football at the next level, having committed to the University of Indiana. In his spare time, he enjoys playing Fortnite. His favorite athlete is Aaron Donald, favorite entertainer is Kai Cenat, favorite book is Harry Potter, favorite movie is Toy Story 2 and most-like-to-meet is LeBron James.
COACH'S QUOTE – “P.J. is a hardworker and plays with a super high motor. He is a linebacker that can cover sideline to sideline and arrives with a purpose. P.J. makes his presence felt in every game.”
—Andre Parker, Varsity Football Coach
GMC Football Has a Definite Playoff Presence
In OHSAA Region 4, there were 16 Division I seeded positions. The Greater Miami Conference placed eight schools among those 16 tournament spots. Based on Harbin Points accrued during the regular season, teams were seeded according to their point totals. The top eight seeded schools earned the right to host games in the first round. In the second round of action, the higher-seeded team will host the contest.
In OHSAA Region 2, another GMC school, Middletown, earned a seeded position. Based on their regular-season success, the Middies secured the #9 seed and will travel to Huber Heights Wayne to face the Warriors, who are the #8 seed.
All first-round games are set for Friday, November 1st, at 7:00 PM.
OHSAA Ticket Information *(select football and scroll to Region 4 and pick your specific contest): Region 4 OHSAA Ticket Info
OHSAA Ticket Information: *(select football and scroll to Region 2 and select Middletown vs. Wayne contest): Region 2 OHSAA Ticket Info
GMC Seeding results:
Overall 9 out of 10 GMC schools are participating in the OHSAA playoffs.
Lakota West #2, Princeton #4, Hamilton #5, Lakota East #8, Mason #10, Oak Hills #12, Fairfield #13 and Sycamore #16. (plus Middletown #9 in Region 2).
To see the overall OHSAA Regional Football bracket picture, follow the link provided below:
GMC Volleyball Makes Impact in OHSAA Regional Semi-Finals
Down to the final sixteen Division I volleyball teams in the state, the Greater Miami Conference claims two of those coveted positons. The Mason Comets, coming off an undefeated league season at 9-0 will take the court opposite the Milford Eagles on Thursday, October 30th, while the Fairfield Indians 6-3 for the year in conference action, will take on Seton also on October 30th. Interestingly, both Mason and Fairfield finished the regular season with identical 18-6 records.
Fairfield plays Seton at 5:30 PM and Mason plays Milford at 7:30 PM with both games being hosted by Lakota West (GMC doubleheader set for Wednesday, October 30th).
OHSAA State Voleyball Brackets: OHSAA VB Division I Brackets
GMC Boys and Girls Soccer Advance to OHSAA Regionals
The Greater Miami Conference boys' and girls' soccer teams are making their presence known in the OHSAA Regional Semi-Finals, also known as the "Sweet Sixteen." For both boys and girls, the GMC is well-represented, with both the league champion and the runner-up earning berths among the final sixteen teams in the state.
For the boys:
Mason (GMC Champion) plays Beavercreek on October 30th - 7:00 PM at Miamisburg.
Lakota West (GMC Runner-up) plays Pickerington North on October 30th - 7:00 PM at Hilliard Bradley.
For complete Division I Brackets: OHSAA Division I Boys Soccer Brackets
For the girls:
Oak Hills (GMC Champion) plays Seton on October 29th - 7:00 PM at Centerville.
Mason (GMC Runner-up) plays Lebanon on October 29th - 7:00 PM at Princeton.
For complete Divison I Brackets: OHSAA Division I Girls Soccer Brackets
Lakota West and Princeton Share GMC Football Title
With identical 8-1 conference records, the Lakota West Firebirds and the Princeton Vikings shared the coveted GMC football crown for 2024. For the Vikings, this marks their second consecutive GMC championship (outright or shared). For the Firebirds, it’s their fourth GMC title in the past five years (one shared). Lakota West’s lone league blemish was a narrow 13-7 loss to Princeton in the opening game of conference play, while Princeton’s only GMC loss came at the hands of the Hamilton Big Blue, 34-0. West finished the regular season with a 9-1 record and will be the #2 seed in the playoffs, while Princeton concluded their season with an 8-2 record and will be the #4 playoff seed.
In alignment with GMC By-Laws, teams with identical records share the distinction of being conference champions. Contrary to initial media reports, there is no tie-breaking procedure in place for any Greater Miami Conference team sport.
