One of Cincinnati’s most familiar high school football grudges is getting an NFL-sized stage: Princeton will host Archbishop Moeller at Paycor Stadium on Thursday, August 20. The season opener starts at 7 p.m., bringing a rivalry that normally plays out at a school stadium to the Bengals’ riverfront home.
The Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County made the arrangement official Monday, with Princeton designated as the home team. According to the Bengals announcement, the game will be broadcast on Spectrum News 1, and Paycor’s West and East gates will open for general admission at 5:30 p.m.
The venue switch had been a moving target. Princeton City Schools said July 10 that discussions were still underway and required school board approval, after renovations at Pat Mancuso Field helped push the teams toward a downtown venue, as WCPO reported.
Tickets, Parking And Paycor Rules
Tickets cost $12 plus processing fees and are available through Princeton athletics, while parking will cost $10 in surrounding lots and garages on game day, with credit cards required for parking payments. The Cincinnati Enquirer also reported that concessions can be purchased with credit cards, debit cards or mobile payment.
Paycor Stadium is cashless, and its clear-bag policy will be enforced. Fans should plan for a stadium-style entry process rather than the looser routine of a typical Friday night at a local high school field.
A Longstanding Rivalry Gets A Bigger Stage
This will be the third straight season opener between Princeton and Moeller, with the winner claiming the “King of Block” trophy. Moeller leads the overall series 41-7 and has won 19 consecutive meetings, according to WCPO’s earlier report.
For Princeton, the game is more than a change of scenery. Athletic Director Joe Roberts called playing at Paycor a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” for many students, while the Bengals said the event is intended to give players a chance to compete in an NFL stadium in front of classmates, families, alumni and supporters.
