Nottingham running back Aug. Cassidy, right, carries the ball as Princeton defensive back Langsdon Hinds tries to make the tackle during a WJFL game on Saturday afternoon at Jim Wilno Sr. Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Nottingham running back Aug. Cassidy, left, slaps hands with teammate Suliaman Bangura, right, after he scored a touchdown against Princeton during a WJFL game on Saturday afternoon at Jim Wilno Sr. Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Princeton tight end Zachary Nelson, left, looks for running room as Nottingham defensive back Sabri Melvin, right, makes the tackle during a WJFL game on Saturday afternoon at Jim Wilno Sr. Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Nottingham quarterback Dante Vazquez throws a pass against Princeton during a WJFL game on Saturday afternoon at Jim Wilno Sr. Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Princeton quarterback Travis Petrone passes the ball against Nottingham during a WJFL game on Saturday afternoon at Jim Wilno Sr. Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Princeton quarterback Travis Petrone, left, hands the ball off to running back Carmine Carusone, right, during a WJFL game on Saturday afternoon at Jim Wilno Sr. Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Nottingham wide receiver Qymir McMillan, left, catches the ball as Princeton's Anderson Potter, right, defends during a WJFL game on Saturday afternoon at Jim Wilno Sr. Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Nottingham coach Milo McGurie looks on from the sideline against Princeton during a WJFL game on Saturday afternoon at Jim Wilno Sr. Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Princeton coach Charlie Gallagher walks on the field to check on an injured player against Nottingham during a WJFL game on Saturday afternoon at Jim Wilno Sr. Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Show Caption1 of 9Nottingham running back Aug. Cassidy, right, carries the ball as Princeton defensive back Langsdon Hinds tries to make the tackle during a WJFL game on Saturday afternoon at Jim Wilno Sr. Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Expand HAMILTON – Whether throwing it, running it, catching it or returning it, Sabri Melvin is a weapon. And his entire arsenal was on display Saturday as he was in on three touchdowns in Nottingham’s 28-14 homecoming victory over Princeton. It was the Northstars (2-5) second straight win and it snapped a 2-game-win streak by the Tigers (3-4). Melvin’s fingerprints were all over the victory, as he ran for a touchdown, caught a TD pass and threw a scoring strike. He rushed for 34 yards, caught two passes for 18, completed three of four for 78 yards and had over 60 yards in returns. The receiver/defensive back played for Nottingham as a sophomore, transferred to Trenton last year and came back to the Northstars this year. After sitting out four games due to the transfer rule, he has helped Nottingham to its first two wins this season. “The first four games we weren’t getting anything going on offense or defense,” Qymir McMillan said. “He’s a key part to our team. Since we have him back, we’re winning ball games. He’s a captain, he’s a leader. We definitely need him.” “It meant the world to us,” coach Milo McGuire said of Melvin’s return. “We knew how dynamic he was, going back to his sophomore year. It’s amazing what he can do with that talent.” Melvin was like a caged animal watching those first four losses. “I felt like I was being held down,” he said. “I didn’t want to sit. But you know, that’s the rule.” He credited the entire team for the turnaround. “We’re playing together,” he said. “As of last week (at Hamilton) we came together as a team.” They had it all together during the game’s first 14 minutes. After taking the kickoff Nottingham went on an 80-yard scoring drive that consumed 6:19 before sophomore August Cassidy scored on a 2-yard run and Chris Alvarez added the first of four PATs. Princeton looked ready to answer, driving to the 21 before Malcolm Louissant’s interception gave Nottingham possession at the 24. Five plays later, Melvin scored on an 18-yard run to make it 14-0. “That felt great,” Cassidy said. “Our offense was really pumping. We hadn’t had much luck in our offense earlier this year.” After a three-and-out by the Tigers, Melvin returned a punt 22 yards to the Princeton 29. The visitors looked ready to crumble when the Stars moved to the 19, but on first down Zyair Mackey’s interception gave his team life. The Tigers responded with a 74-yard scoring drive capped by quarterback Travis Petrone’s TD run. Trailing 14-6, Princeton took the second-half kickoff but James Rumph intercepted on the first play. It didn’t take long before Melvin caught a 6-yard scoring pass from Dante Vazquez. Again, Princeton was on the ropes but refused to die and got within 21-14 when Petrone found Hinds on a 39-yard slant that the receiver ran in. Momentum kept changing with each team answering the other’s challenge. “We’re together through thick and thin,” said Cassidy, who had another strong game at linebacker. “We’re good, we’re strong, mentally and physically.” Nottingham was tested again when Carmine Carusone, who played his usual stellar all-around game, got an interception at the 50. But Princeton turned it over on downs, as the game became a defensive slugfest. Later in the half Princeton was stopped on fourth down at its 42, but got it back quickly when Langsdon Hinds made his team’s fourth interception. Once again, Nottingham’s defense held as Princeton turned it over on downs. “We just had to do what we had to do,” Melvin said. “Stop them on the run. And our secondary did pretty good. Our secondary carried us through that game.” It sure did. Despite Petrone having ample time to throw, Melvin, McMillan and Rumph were locked on their receivers most of the game. “Our secondary is actually good,” McMillan said. “We have some absences over there. Ted (Mondesir) is really good. With Ted being out (due to a wrist injury), it motivated us as DBs to push ourselves and make sure nothing gets caught.” “My d- line has to get after it a little more, but I’m proud of the secondary,” McGuire said. “The secondary is able to stick to their man and hold tight.” The outcome was still in the balance when Nottingham took over at its 29 with 3:39 left. Desperately in need of a stop, Princeton was stunned by an electrifying 69-yard TD pass from Melvin – who replaced Vazquez in the fourth quarter – to McMillan. The pass itself was about 10 yards, but the speedster danced up the sidelines, spun away from tacklers, got to the middle of the field and either dodged or broke tackles into the end zone. And it all started when Melvin dropped the snap. “It was a bad play to begin with because the ball was fumbled,” said McMillan, who had five catches for 120 yards. “But my QB is an improviser. He’s an athlete. I had an out route, I had to turn it upfield. We’re down by one touchdown. I don’t want them to get the ball back. Really, I thought I was gonna fall and we’d run the time out and win the ball game. But me being an athlete, I went and scored. That’s all credit to my teammates.” McMillan felt like he was in a real-life video game during the run. “I kind of think of it like I’m playing Madden,” he said. “Last night I played Madden and was having fun. Today I played the game, and the scenario came to a head, so I took it into my own hands and I scored. I did my thing. I had a human joystick and I knew I had that ability.” McGuire was happy to see his team respond every time Princeton threatened. “They were able to rally to the charge,” he said. “I’m proud of the kids for that. And I’m proud of Princeton, they were .500 coming in here. Charlie (Gallagher) is turning things around over there.” Along with the interceptions, Princeton held Nottingham to 101 rushing yards. Offensively, Hinds had four catches for 78 yards. Next up for Nottingham is Notre Dame, which is coming off a win over a Paul VI team that beat the Northstars by 35 on opening day. Notre Dame has won four straight, but Nottingham is much improved since its opener. “There’s still some flaws, like penalties,” Cassidy said. “But we’re getting better at trusting each other. Our mentality is different. Coach Milo really got us going.” Along with Sabri Melvin. Princeton (3-4) 0 6 8 0 – 14 Nottingham (2-5) 7 7 7 7 – 28 N-Cassidy 1 run (Alvarez kick) N-Melvin 18 run (Alvarez kick) P-Petrone 1 run (kick failed) N-Melvin 6 pass from Vazquez (Alvarez kick) P-E. Hinds 39 pass from Petrone (Caursone run) N-McMillan 69 pass from Melvin (Alvarez kick)