The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Experienced Cromwell/Portland aims for playoff return
With a roster chock full of freshmen starters, Cromwell/Portland predictably took its lumps in 2019. After a string of playoffcaliber years, the Panthers sunk to a 2-9 finish with their eyes on the future.
The future didn’t quite arrive as expected. But now that it’s here, Cromwell/ Portland’s football program is ready. There are only veterans here and coach Randall Bennett’s expectations are high for a bounceback 2021 season.
Bennett says he’s been employing a two-platoon philosophy: Spread some of your best players across the field, have them specialize and build depth by getting younger players involved sooner.
“We kind of spread all these guys out and tell them, you’ve got to play just one position and dominate,” Bennett said. “You don’t see that too often in Class S. I did see that from St. Joseph in a state championship and I said, we’ve got to start gearing our teams towards what they’re doing.
“When you have your kids come off the field and you can talk to them about what they just saw, it makes a world of difference.”
Cromwell/Portland’s success this year starts with its linebackers — seniors Owen Brunk, Teddy Williams and junior Ryan Rozich. They all played as sophomores and freshmen, with Brunk earning allstate.
Bennett says it straight up about this crew: “I’ve got the best linebackers in the state. Hands down.”
Also returning is quarterback Cole Brisson, a lefty who also started as a freshman and has developed into one of the team leaders as the players bonded during the pandemic. “They took it upon themselves to get better,” Bennett said. “And it trickles down to the rest of the team.”
Sophomore Daevyon Lovelace, a newcomer, joins junior veterans Alex Hair and Teddy Williams as some of Cromwell’s top offensive weapons. Lovelace’s impact will be felt at a variety of positions. “He’s a difference maker,” Bennett said. Returning senior
tackle Ethan Philbrick figures to be an immovable object on the offensive line at 6-foot-5, 335.
In addition to its strong linebackers, Cromwell/Portland’s defense will also rely on sophomore Emeka Yearwood and senior Jihad Singleton, a transfer from New London, to shore up the defensive line. Junior Ben Fagan, who also started as a freshman, will man the secondary at safety alongside Lovelace at cornerback.
With so many players apparently ready for prime time this year, it would appear Cromwell/Portland would have a big advantage over a majority of its Pequot rivals.
“I feel like it’s an advantage, but it’s also something we can’t rest on,”
Bennett said. “Other teams will get better and they will catch up. So we have to keep our foot down.”
VITALS
COACH — Randell Bennett (4th season, 19-12) CONFERENCE — Pequot Sassacus PLAYOFF CLASS — S (co-op) HOME — Pierson Park, Cromwell 2019 RECORD — 2-8 2021 OPENER — Sept. 10 at Morgan,
6:30 p.m. TEAM SOCIAL MEDIA — Twitter: @cromportfb TOP PLAYERS
Owen Brunk, Sr. LB (5-10, 205) Ryan Rozich, Jr. LB (5-10, 180) Teddy Williams, Sr. RB/LB (5-11, 200) Jack Williams, Soph. RB/LB (5-10, 190) Cole Brisson, Jr. QB (6-1, 185) Daevyon Lovelace, Soph. CB/WR/RB (5-7, 150) Ethan Philbrick, Sr. (6-5, 335) Alex Hair, Jr. RB/LB (6-1, 200) Ben Fagan, Jr. S (5-11, 170) Emeka Yearwood, Soph. DE (5-11, 175) Jihad Singleton, Sr. DL (5-10, 200)
2021 SCHEDULE
Sept. 10 — at Morgan, 6:30 p.m.** Sept. 24 — at North Branford, 6:30 p.m.**
Oct. 1 — HADDAM-KILLINGWORTH, 6 p.m.**
Oct. 9 — at Valley Regional/Old Lyme, 1 p.m.**
Oct. 22 — OLD SAYBROOK/WESTBROOK, 6 p.m.**
Oct. 29 — GRANBY/CANTON, 6 p.m.* Nov. 5 — CREC CO-OP, 6:30 p.m.** Nov. 13 — at Coginchaug/Hale Ray/East Hampton, 1 p.m.**
Nov. 19 — STAFFORD/SOMERS/EAST WINDSOR, 6 p.m.*
Nov. 24 — at Rocky Hill, 6 p.m. Home games in CAPS **Division game
* Conference game