GROUND CONTROL: Princeton High running back Rory ­Helstrom runs to daylight in recent action. Last Friday, junior star ­Helstrom rushed for 205 yards and three touchdowns as PHS defeated WW/P-N 47-21 to improve to 8-1 and earn the West Jersey Football League’s Valley Division title. The Little Tigers will begin their quest for a state title as they compete in the Central Jersey Group 4 playoffs, where they are seeded seventh and will play at second-seeded Brick Township (8-1) on November 14 in a quarterfinal contest. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

As the Princeton High football team got ready to play WW/P-N last Friday night with the West Jersey Football League’s Valley Division title up for grabs, Charlie Gallagher put the onus on the squad’s unsung heroes.

“In my pregame speech I had all the linemen stand up and said it is on your backs,” recalled PHS head coach Gallagher. “We are going to run the ball a lot tonight.”

Accepting the coach’s challenge, the linemen proceeded to dominate the trenches as PHS rolled up 382 yards rushing in defeating WW/P-N 47-21 and improving to 8-1.

Junior star Rory Helstrom led the ground attack, gaining 204 yards on 21 carries with three touchdowns. Senior Colin Buckley rushed for 112 yards on 10 attempts with two TDs while classmate Sam Smallzman gained 73 yards on two carries, highlighted by a 50-yard touchdown run.

“It was cold and windy, we didn’t know how much we would need to pass,” said Gallagher.

“Rory, Colin, and Sam ran the ball well, they all broke long ones. We saw they had put up a lot of points. We knew we were going to be able to run the ball and we wanted to manage the clock.”

The PHS defense managed to stifle the Northern Knights, holding them to seven points through three quarters.

“We did a good job of containing the running game, they had some good runs up the middle but that was it,” said Gallagher. “We put pressure on the quarterback, I think we had five or six sacks.”

The Little Tigers felt very good about earning the division title. “They knew it hadn’t been done in a while, it would be something meaningful,” said Gallagher.

“We have been motivated coming into every game but it was definitely an added motivational factor. We are excited, it feels great.”

In Gallagher’s view, the achievement is a great testament to the squad’s work ethic and character.

“I think it shows that all the hard work paid off,” said Gallagher.  “We have great senior leadership and three great senior captains in Sam Smallzman, Colin Buckley, and Brian Tien.”

PHS will be putting in some hard work this week as it prepares to compete in the Central Jersey Group 4 playoffs, where it is seeded seventh and will play at second-seeded Brick Township (8-1) on November 14 in a quarterfinal contest.

“I will tell the kids that it is real simple, we have a chance to lose it if we don’t play our game,” said Gallagher, reflecting on the matchup.

“It is about us. If we go out and play good football, we can win. It is a one-game season now, we are going to take it one week at a time. We have won eight games so there is a confidence level. In the beginning of the season, we wanted to just compete because we didn’t know who we were. Now we just want to win.”