PILING ON: Princeton High linebacker Sam Smallzman flies on top of the pile as PHS stymies Ewing last Friday on its way to a 7-0 win over the Blue Devils. Senior star Smallzman contributed a fumble recovery and game-sealing interception along with a slew of tackles as the Little Tigers improved to 2-0. PHS will look to keep on the winning track as it plays at Hightstown on September 27. (Photo by John Dowers)

With Harris Field packed last Friday evening as the Princeton High football team played under lights specially brought in for Homecoming festivities, the school’s studio band got the fans on their feet with a spirited halftime rendition of the Supremes’ classic “Respect.”

The crowd kept cheering all night long as PHS earned a large dose of respect, stifling Ewing en route to a hard-earned 7-0 win.

It was the second straight victory for the Little Tigers, who have emerged as one of the pleasant surprises of the fall, bouncing back from a 0-10 campaign in 2013.

Afterward, a beaming senior linebacker Sam Smallzman said he and his teammates fed off the festive atmosphere of the throng estimated at 2,000.

“It was great, the whole school was here,” said Smallzman. “It was the first game under the lights ever at PHS. It was a great feeling to give our fans that. It was great to have them support us.”

For Smallzman, it was an especially great moment, considering that he was sidelined early last season with an ACL and meniscus injury.

“I worked all off season,” said Smallzman. “My teammates pushed me and believed in me to get back. I am doing what I can for them.”

On Friday, Smallzman did quite a lot for the Little Tigers, making a slew of tackles, recovering a fumble in the third quarter, and coming up with an interception in the last minute of regulation to seal the victory.

While Smallzman stood out, the defensive performance was definitely a group effort.

“Coach Goldy [defensive coordinator Scott Goldsmith] does a great job of making sure that we all have fun,” said Smallzman.

“We are really getting after it, swarming, and communicating. We have a great group of guys; we all trust each other to lock it down. It was just no big plays, everyone swarm, wrap up, and communicate. I think we did a great job.”

Smallzman has a big job as the team’s defensive signal caller. “I call the plays but it is really everybody,” said Smallzman. “There is no one guy who does it all. It was great to get a shutout.”

Smallzman won’t soon forget getting the game-clinching play on the late interception.

“I was missing them earlier in the game, I had one that hit me in the hands,” said Smallzman. “I read the QB, I jumped it, and the rest is history.”

PHS head coach Charlie Gallagher liked the way his defensive unit jumped all over the Blue Devils.

“We tried to put together a great defensive scheme,” said Gallagher.

“Coach Goldsmith, our d-coordinator, is doing a great job. We are firing on all cylinders. It was a great total team effort from the front line of the defense to the backers to the defensive backs. They are all making plays.”

The Little Tigers got a special effort from Smallzman. “He is a beast in the middle, we love him,” asserted Gallagher.

“He is the heart and soul but at the same time he is one of several guys this year. Last year, there weren’t as many guys out there. There were one or two guys trying to carry the load. We have other great players out there who are filling everything that needs to be filled to win football games because you just can’t do it with two or three kids.”

The Little Tigers were thrilled to get a second straight win to start the season.

“I think they say the hardest part about being 1-0 is getting to be 2-0,” said Gallagher, whose offense came through when it counted as junior star Rory Helstrom scored the lone touchdown of the night on an 11-yard run in the third quarter after PHS got the ball deep in Ewing territory on a botched fake punt by the Blue Devils.

“It is a big confidence boost. Getting that first win gave us confidence. I felt good this week. I was a little bit nervous about feeling good and confident; I haven’t had that feeling too often. But now we are 2-0. We are just going to take it one a game at a time. We have got a strong Hightstown team next week.”

Gallagher felt his team drew strength last Friday from the standing-room only crowd on hand at Harris Field.

“Without a doubt, to come out here and see the entire stands filled, what a great atmosphere,” said Gallagher.

“Thanks to the PTO and the football booster club because this wasn’t cheap. They did a great job of helping the PHS football program out and putting on a great event.”

Smallzman is hoping for some more great moments in the upcoming weeks. “We are just taking it game by game,” said Smallzman.

“We beat Hamilton West and as soon as that was over, we moved on, and focused on Ewing. The same goes for this week. We will watch a little film and move on and start getting ready for next week.”