The Elite Eight
Players to watch in Saturday’s championships
With eight teams set to take the field on Saturday in four state championship games, we take a look at the most important player for each team in their respective games.
CLASS LL
TYMAINE SMITH, FAIRFIELD PREP
Year: Senior
Position: LB
Stats: The senior linebacker has been all over the field this season for the top-seeded
Jesuits. He has 88 total tackles, with 161⁄2 coming for a loss. He also has five sacks and an interception and was named the co-SCC Player of the Year. He is the anchor for a dominant Jesuits’ defense that has allowed 110 points all season.
Best game: During the Jesuits Week 10 game against Xavier, Smith made 12 total tackles (10 solo), two tackles were for a loss and he had two sacks.
TIGHE CUMMISKEY, DARIEN
Year: Senior
Position: RB
Stats: Darien’s bulldozing running back has paced the Blue Wave all season. He has rushed for almost 1,600 yards, 18 rushing touchdowns and caught four touchdowns. He has rushed for over 100 yards in eight games — all Darien wins.
Best game: During the Blue Wave’s Week 9 game against Norwalk, Cummiskey rushed for 198 yards and three touchdowns. With the Blue Wave trailing 21-20 at halftime, Cummiskey took a fourth-and-2 handoff 51-yards for a touchdown. He scored two more times in the second half to put Norwalk away.
CLASS L JOSH BOGANSKI, MALONEY Year: Position: Stats:
Junior
RB
The junior exploded onto the scene during the Spartans fifth game of the season and has never looked back, rushing for over 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns.
He has rushed for 100 yards in six games — all Maloney wins.
Best game: In Maloney’s biggest regular season game against thenNo. 4 Hall on Nov. 5, the junior had 50 carries for 320 yards and five touchdowns as the Spartans handed Hall its first loss of the season 49-18.
ELIJAH CROMARTIE, WINDSOR
Year: Junior
Position: QB
Stats: The junior has been the Warriors’ quarterback since his freshman year and while he had a successful first season, he has stepped his game up this year. He has thrown for over 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns — 10 in the state playoffs.
Best game: In Windsor’s comefrom-behind win over St. Joseph in the state semifinals, Cromartie struggled early, throwing three interceptions and one touchdown as his team trailed by 18 going into halftime. He came out in the second half like a man possessed, throwing three touchdowns in the second half to fuel the comeback
victory. He finished the game with 207 passing yards and four touchdowns.
CLASS M JACK SHARPE, KILLINGLY Year: Position: Stats:
Senior
RB
One of the few returners from the 2019 Class M finalists, Jack Sharpe continued his torrid pace of rushing yards against state opponents this season. He racked up 1,126 yards and 19 touchdowns, including 145 yards and three scores in the Class M quarterfinals. He has two fivetouchdown games this year. Best game: In the most important game of the regular season against Class LL opponent Norwich Free Academy, Sharpe ran wild. He racked up 241 yards and three touchdowns in the 48-0 win.
MALACHI MAPP, ROCKVILLE
Year: Junior
Position: LB
Stats: The junior linebacker has been a menace for opposing offensive coordinators all season, making them always wonder where No. 56 is going to line up. He has 124 total tackles this year with 181⁄2 coming for a loss and 31⁄2 sacks. Against Coventry/ Windham Tech/Bolton/Lyman Memorial, Mapp had seven tackles for a loss.
Best game: With a chance to reach the state final for the first time since 1995, the Rams top defender stood tall, making 18 total tackles in the game, helping shut down Torrington’s single wing offense.
CLASS S TEDDY WILLIAMS, CROMWELL / PORTLAND
Year: Senior
Position: LB/WR
Stats: Coming into the year, coach Randell Bennett said his team has the best linebacker group in the state and Williams hasn’t let his coaches words be wrong. Williams has 80 total tackles to go with 21⁄2 sacks and three interceptions. On offense he has been just as effective. He has caught 56 passes for 1,365 yards (24.3 yards a catch) and 19 touchdowns.
Best game: During the semifinal against Ansonia, Williams caught nine passes for 332 yards and five touchdowns. In both playoff games, Williams has 18 catches for 586 yards and five touchdowns.
DALLAS ROSE, BLOOMFIELD
Year: Senior
Position: RB/LB
Stats: The senior picked up where the previous Warhawks left off. He has rushed for close to 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns. In the Warhawks quarterfinal win, Rose touched the ball just six times and rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, he has made 57 total tackles and has one sack.
Best game: During Bloomfield’s Week 7 game against Rocky Hill, Rose only got 10 carries, but he made the most of them. He rushed for 255 yards and five touchdowns.