SOLO PERFORMANCE: Alex Solopenkov heads up the field during his career with the Princeton High football team. Recently graduated Solopenkov will wrap up his high school football career as he plays for the West team in the 21st annual Sunshine Football Classic at The College of New Jersey on June 29. He will be joined on the squad by PHS teammates Ethan Guerra and Matt Hawes. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Transferring to Princeton High from North Brunswick midway through his sophomore year, Alex Solopenkov was an unknown quantity when he hit the football field for the Little Tigers in the fall of 2015.

“Everyone didn’t really know who I was or what I was about,” said Solopenkov.

Seeing time at running back and receiver on offense and in the secondary on defense, Solopenkov showed everyone that he was a versatile performer as the Little Tigers went 4-6.

“I like playing both ways, obviously it would be nice to be on one side where you can get a rest and just go on,” said Solopenkov. “It is fun. It is a good experience, you can see what you are more into.”

Last fall, Solopenkov had a valuable experience, serving as one of the captains for PHS, striving to help hold the squad together as it battled its way through a tough 1-9 campaign.

“I felt more comfortable with the team,” said Solopenkov. “My junior year, I came in, not knowing a lot of the people. As a captain, I had to talk for everyone. When something wasn’t going well, I had to say things. It was nice having all the younger kids looking up to you.”

Solopenkov set a good example for his younger teammates, getting chosen to play for the West squad in the 21st annual Sunshine Football Classic at The College of New Jersey on June 29.

Solopenkov’s prowess at safety this past fall helped pave the way for his selection to the Sunshine game.

“In my junior year, I wanted to be more of a receiver and I kind of changed,” said Solopenkov.

“I ended loving up defense so my senior year I just focused on that. I went from being a corner to playing safety. My freshman year at North Brunswick,
I played corner and then I played safety. I like safety more than corner.”

Solopenkov, who is heading to the University of Pittsburgh, is focused on joining the school’s football program as a walk-on.

“I have been training for almost four months, I have gained 20 pounds but I have gotten faster,” said the 5’11 Solopenkov, who now weighs 180 pounds after playing at 160 last fall.

In Solopenkov’s view, competing in the Sunshine game will be memorable no matter what happens at Pitt.

“I was very happy, a few guys got to go last year and it was neat,” said Solopenkov, who will be joined on the West squad by PHS teammates Ethan Guerra and Matt Hawes.

“I am not sure what is going to happen in the future so being able to get another game in high school will be fun.”