Even though the Princeton High football team was coming off a 0-10 season in 2013, Colin Buckley sensed that things would be a lot different last fall for his senior campaign.

“We definitely changed the culture,” said PHS fullback/defensive end Buckley.

“We were tired of everyone talking about us as losers and going 0-10. I was telling people that we were going to turn it around.”

Buckley and PHS didn’t waste any time turning things around as they opened the 2014 season by defeating Hamilton 28-7.

“It was a huge win,” said Buckley. “They were picked to win the division and we had been written off.”

Over the course of the fall, PHS wrote one of the best turnaround stories in recent years, going 8-2 and winning the West Jersey Football League’s Valley Division crown.

As a byproduct of that success, Buckley was chosen to play for the West Squad in the 19th Sunshine Football Classic sponsored by Fisher Capital LLC on July 1 along with Little Tiger teammates Sam Smallzman, Ben Danis, Tad Moore, Tommy Moore, Omar Moustafa, Brian Lemus-Camey, and Joe Hawes.

PHS showed that it had plenty of stars as it started 5-0, featuring a potent offense and a hard-hitting defense. “We were on a roll, we were gaining confidence,” said Buckley.

Moving to fullback from guard, Buckley helped spark the running game by clearing holes for junior star Rory Helstrom as he rushed for 1136 yards on the season.

“It is fun blocking for a running back like Rory who can break it at any time,” said Buckley.

The powerful Buckley got his turn to carry the ball, rushing for 289 yards on 46 carries for six touchdowns

“It was a lot of fun running the ball, the offensive line did a really good job,” said Buckley.

On defense, Buckley helped anchor things from the trenches in his defensive end spot.

“Sam Smallzman coming back from an ACL was huge, he called the signals and made a lot of tackles,” said Buckley, who also stars on defense for the PHS boys’ lacrosse team. “Having Tommy Moore at defensive end was big.”

It was big for PHS to earn a division title. “It meant a lot, we would stop in the hall to look at the trophy,” said Buckley, who is headed to Texas Christian University where he is considering playing intramural football, club lacrosse and rugby.

“I think we had age and commitment. It shows what you can do if you put the hard work in.”

Looking ahead to the Sunshine Classic, which is being played at The College of New Jersey,  Buckley is committed to doing his best.

“I am definitely excited,” said Buckley. “It is one more chance to put on the pads. It had been fun but it is tough learning a whole new offense. They have me at fullback.”

Buckley is particularly excited to be back on the field with his PHS teammates.

“It feels great, you know they have your back and I have their back,” said Buckley. “I just want to have fun, we are playing for a great cause.”