Rockville snaps Cromwell-Portland’s 22-game winning streak

CROMWELL — Rockville’s Malachi Mapp played right tackle last season, but when a spot in the backfield opened up this fall due to a departed player, he relished the idea of taking on the new role.

“Whatever it takes to help the team,” said the 5-foot-10, 193-pound senior as he reflected on Rockville coach Erick Knickerbocker’s ask of him to run the ball in 2022. “Playing tackle, I’m so used to running into people.”

Mapp was the showcase player during Rockville’s game-winning drive against undefeated Cromwell/Portland on Thursday night. With his offensive line plowing the way, Mapp devoured 54 of the 67 yards before giving way to teammate Lexington Hunter, who scored from the 1 with 14 seconds left as the Rams defeated the Panthers 21-14 at Pierson Park.

Rockville’s sixth win in eight games fortified its hold on a Class M playoff spot while dealing the 2021 Class S champion Panthers (8-1) their first loss in 22 games.

Cromwell/Portland is currently fourth in the Class SS point rankings with only Rocky Hill left on its regular-season schedule.

The Panthers had possession near midfield for one final play with 5 seconds left, but senior quarterback Cole Brisson’s throw to a double-covered Emeka Yearwood at the 5-yard line fell incomplete.

“Our defense was doing a great job until that last drive,” Panthers coach Randell Bennett said. “It looked like Rockville wanted it more than we did. It’s a good reality check and wake-up call for us.”

The Panthers scored on the opening drive of the game and ate up almost 10 minutes doing it, with Brisson running for the touchdown from 10 yards out. Allen Cohen’s extra point made it 7-0.

As the Panthers have done many times this season, they kicked off short in the hopes of recovering it. But the Rams’ Armani Gordon — on his very first varsity play — grabbed it out of the air and returned it 50 yards for the tying score. Freshman Molly Wilson converted the PAT and was 3 for 3 on the night.

Cromwell/Portland took a 14-7 lead midway through the third quarter behind running back Alex Hair, who was making his first start of the season after recovering from a preseason leg injury. Hair had a huge 58-yard gain during the drive, punched it into the end zone from a yard out and finished with more than 100 rushing yards.

Mapp, who carried 21

times for 81 yards, scored on a 2-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter to tie it at 14.

Mapp’s helmet came off when he was stopped at the 1 on second down on Rockville’s winning drive. Knickerbocker called the team’s final timeout, but then realized Mapp still had to sit out a play because of the helmet rule.

Enter Hunter, who swept left and touched the cone for the game-deciding score.

“Our offensive line carried us,” Knickerbocker said after the Rams’ third straight win, “and we’ve put a lot on Mapp’s shoulders, but this was a collective win for us. The last time we were here in 2018, my first game with Rockville, we lost (35-21) but I felt we gained some respect. We wanted this so bad.”