Bryce Karstetter doing his best Randall Cunningham impersonation, scrambling & delivering 40 yard TD to Dianta Highsmith. 6-0 C/P #cthsfb pic.twitter.com/QMl2fq2NxC — Josh Howard (@RareReminderJH) October 20, 2017 CROMWELL — Dianta Highsmith and Bryce Karstetter hooked up for a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter and Cromwell/Portland turned to its defense in the second […]
Boys soccer: H-K rolls to win over Portland
PORTLAND — Haddam-Killingworth’s boys soccer team is rounding into tournament shape.With the Shoreline Conference and CIAC state tournaments looming, H-K won for the 10th time in 13 tries, beating Portland 3-1 in an SLC match at Portland Hig…
Boys soccer: Cromwell handles Portland
PORTLAND — Except for a brief stretch at the end of the first half, Cromwell’s boys soccer team dominated Portland in winning the Shoreline Conference match 4-1 at Portland High Thursday evening.“I thought our energy level was really, re…
Football: Karstetter, Cromwell / Portland roll past Haddam-Killingworth to stay unbeaten
HADDAM >> Bryce Karstetter threw for 258 yards and four touchdowns in leading undefeated Cromwell/Portland to a 43-7 Pequot League win over Haddam-Killingworth in front of 400 at H-K High School Thursday evening. Karstetter (12-for-22, one interception) had TD passes to Dianta Highsmith of 74 yards in the first quarter, a 31-yarder to Liam Coleman […]
Soccer: Middletown area previews
Just about every school has soccer. It may not be a big player on the national scene, but at the high school level it’s universal. Here follows the outlook for many of the boys and girls teams in the Greater Middletown area. BOYS Xavier The Falcons were 6-5-5 in 2016 and the hope is they […]
Golf: Portland defends its Division IV championship; Tourtellotte's Kingsbury medalist
WATERTOWN >> On a day and a course meant to test anybody’s love for golf, Portland dug in to defend its Division IV State Golf Championship with a vengeance Monday at Watertown’s Crestbrook Park Golf Course. The Highlanders beat second-place Immaculate by nine strokes, 323-332, on a course that held psychological rewards for those […]
Golf: Portland defends its Division IV championship; Tourtellotte’s Kingsbury medalist
WATERTOWN >> On a day and a course meant to test anybody’s love for golf, Portland dug in to defend its Division IV State Golf Championship with a vengeance Monday at Watertown’s Crestbrook Park Golf Course. The Highlanders beat second-place Immaculate by nine strokes, 323-332, on a course that held psychological rewards for those […]
Baseball: Cromwell stays hot, rips Portland for eighth-straight victory
CROMWELL >> Cromwell’s season-opening, three-game losing streak is a distant memory. That’s because the surging Panthers have ripped off eight wins in a row, the latest an 11-0 Shoreline Conference romp over Portland Monday afternoon at Fran Monnes Field. “This was just one of those days,” Portland coach Rick Borg said of his team. “We […]
Boys basketball: Portland's Serra steps down, will concentrate on athletic director's duties
PORTLAND >> Citing concerns about the demands of his jobs as both athletic director and boys basketball coach at Portland High School, Chris Serra resigned the basketball job over the past weekend. Serra met with his team Sunday and told the players and communicated his decision via email to parents and Shoreline Conference ADs and […]
Boys basketball: Cromwell tops Portland, ends skid
CROMWELL >> The Cromwell boys basketball team’s recent stretch of four straight losses must have felt like an eternity for Panthers coach John Pinone. Well, the streak is over. But ending it wasn’t easy. Junior guard Noah Budzik drained some big 3-pointers in the second half and finished with 17 points, junior forward Austin […]
Boys basketball: Big second half propels North Branford past Portland
NORTH BRANFORD >> The North Branford boys basketball team matched last season’s win total with a 56-34 Shoreline Conference victory over Portland on Tuesday night at North Branford High School. Junior guard Brett LeQuire poured in a game-high 22 points, while junior Jake Haeckel scored all 17 of his points in the second half while […]
Football: Cromwell / Portland's Chris Eckert announces resignation after six seasons
Chris Eckert, the 2016 Pequot Sassacus Coach of the Year who guided Cromwell/Portland to the Class S semifinals this season, announced his resignation as the team’s head coach Wednesday, according to a note posted on the team’s Twitter account, which is run by Eckert. In a note, Eckert cited his desire to pursue an administrative role within […]
Class S semifinals: Dobbs delivers as Ansonia defeats Cromwell / Portland, returns to final
ANSONIA >> Heading into Monday evening’s Class S semifinal against Ansonia, Cromwell/Portland was well aware it had to stop Chargers star running back Markell Dobbs. Knowing and doing are two completely different things. Behind 312 yards rushing and 411 combined yards by the junior back, second-seeded Ansonia easily defeated the sixth-seeded Panthers 49-28 at Jarvis […]
Football: The 2016 CLASS S Semifinal Preview Capsules – Cromwell/Portland at Ansonia; Seymour at Rocky Hill
CIAC Football Playoff Scoreboard More Playoff Capsules: CLASS LL | CLASS L | CLASS M CLASS S The 2016 CIAC Class S Semifinal Previews. Compiled and written by Mike Pucci. Videos by Sean Patrick Bowley. No. 6 Cromwell/Portland at No. 2 Ansonia WHERE / WHEN — Jarvis Stadium, Monday, 6:30 p.m. TEAM RECORDS — Cromwell/Portland 10-1 (Pequot Champions); Ansonia 11-0 (NVL […]
Class S quarterfinals: Cromwell / Portland stuns defending champion Bloomfield
WFSB 3 Connecticut BLOOMFIELD >> Cromwell/Portland held an eight point lead over defending Class S champion Bloomfield with less than two minutes to play and all Panthers senior Kristian Sapp wanted to do was get a first down. Instead, Sapp got a terrific block, burst through an opening and raced 67 yards for a touchdown. […]
Football: The 2016 CIAC Class S Quarterfinal Preview Capsules
More Previews: CLASS LL | CLASS L | CLASS M CLASS S Capsules compiled by Mike Pucci (Seymour v. Capital Prep, Ansonia v. Stafford, Rocky Hill v. Bullard-Havens) and Derek Turner (Bloomfield v. Cromwell/Portand). Sean Patrick Bowley contributed. No. 8 Seymour at No. 1 Capital Prep/AF Where/When: Jessee/Miller Field (Trinity College), Hartford, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Team records: Seymour 8-2 (NVL […]
Football: Rocky Hill runs past Cromwell / Portland, clinches Class S playoff spot
CROMWELL >> Rocky Hill clinched a Class S playoff berth with a dominating 28-6 victory over Cromwell/Portland before a huge Thanksgiving Eve crowd Wednesday night at Pierson Park. Yup, the Terriers made a number of big plays in the second half and ruined the Panthers perfect season. Cromwell’s biggest concern, however, is the health of […]
Football: Cromwell/Portland routs North Branford, clinches Pequot title, playoff berth
NORTH BRANFORD >> The last time Cromwell/Portland won the Pequot Football Conference championship the Panthers went on and defeated Ansonia in the Class S title game. Can that blueprint be repeated? After a 63-6 thumping over North Branford at Colafati Field, it seems like 2008 all over again for the Panthers. Cromwell/Portland clinched the Pequot […]
Class S girls soccer: Old Saybrook edges Portland in PKs
MIDDLETOWN >> The Portland girls soccer team’s run finally came to an end. The Highlanders started 2-7, then got off the deck and qualified for the Class S tournament on the final day, beating Old Saybrook on the road. They then won three tourney games in a row to get to Monday night’s semifinal date […]
Football: Big plays lift Cromwell/Portland past Morgan
CROMWELL >> Cromwell/Portland senior Kristian Sapp is one of the top playmakers in the Pequot Conference. Sapp is a fast and shifty running back as well as a terrific receiver with a nose for the end zone. Sapp showed Morgan on Friday night that his repertoire also includes blocking field goals. With the Huskies threatening […]
Football: Sapp, Cromwell/Portland run past Valley Regional/Old Lyme
DEEP RIVER >> After losing a heartbreaker against Rocky Hill in last year’s season finale, a Thanksgiving loss that cost Cromwell/Portland a trip to the state playoffs, Panthers senior Kristian Sapp went into the weight room. “His offseason this year was probably the best offseason he’s had to prepare for what he’s had to do […]
Football: Bransfield's Middletown area preview, predictions
MIDDLETOWN >> The headliners in the area this week are both in the city: Wethersfield at Middletown and West Haven at Xavier. Both MHS and Xavier are in everybody’s Top 10 and both must win to stay there. In other games, Cromwell/Portland and Valley Regional/Old Lyme look to go to 2-0, while Haddam-Killingworth, Coginchaug and […]
Pequot Football 2016: Cromwell / Portland preview
Vitals Coach: CHRIS ECKERT (Sixth year, 36-19) Conference: Pequot Sassacus North Playoff Class: S (296 boys enrollment) Home: Pierson Park, Cromwell 2015 Record: 8-2 (4-1 Pequot East) 2016 Kickoff: Sept. 9 vs. Coginchaug, 4 p.m. Team website: MaxPreps Top players KRISTIAN SAPP, Sr., RB (5-10, 175) ETHAN ROY, Sr., DE (6-3, 220) JON SIENA, Sr., WR (5-10, 175) ANTHONY PUNTIEL, […]
Football: Middletown's WCNX unveils 15-game broadcast slate
MIDDLETOWN >> Middletown internet radio station WCNX enters its ninth season this fall broadcasting local high school football games. From Xavier’s home opener against Norwich Free Academy at McHugh Field to Cromwell’s Thanksgiving Day clash against Rocky Hill at Pierson Park, WCNX will broadcast 15 regular season games. And owner John Clark is thrilled with […]
American Legion: RCP shuts out Middletown
CROMWELL >> RCP’s American Legion team broke open a close game with five runs in the fifth and sixth innings to beat Middletown 8-0 in an inter-zone game played Thursday evening at Fran Monnes Field at Cromwell High School. For RCP, there are only two out-of-zone games left — today with Waterbury at home at […]
Boys Golf: Portland captures Division IV crown
HARWINTON >> Two teams waiting a combined 70 years for a state golf championship finished first and second in the CIAC Division IV Golf Tournament at Harwinton’s Fairview Farm Golf Course on Tuesday. Portland shot a phenomenal 306 over the par-72 course for its first state title in 30 years. Litchfield tied three-time defending champion […]
Class S Baseball: St. Paul holds off Portland, advances to first state semifinal since 1999
BRISTOL >> St. Paul senior Michael Dombrowski blasted a triple past the Portland left fielder in the bottom of the sixth in the Falcons Class S tournament quarterfinal game vs. Portland on Saturday. It turned out to be the biggest hit of the game. Not only did he drive in Chadd Richardson to reclaim the lead, but […]
Boys Golf: Portland wins Shoreline title
MIDDLETOWN >> After compiling a perfect 10-0 league mark during the regular season, the Portland boys golf team was the prohibitive favorite in Thursday’s Shoreline Conference championship match. The Highlanders then went out and showed why they were the league’s best this season. Junior Nick Piersall fired a 2-under par 69 and Portland ended Morgan’s […]
Baseball: Portland tops Hale-Ray on Senior Day
PORTLAND >> After spoiling Portland’s Senior Day a year ago, it looked like Hale-Ray was up to some old tricks again. The Noises turned a first inning bases-loaded double play and cruised into the bottom of the fourth with a 1-0 lead behind the one-hit pitching from junior Bryan Ziobron. “We played pretty well early […]
Girls basketball: East Hampton tops Portland for ninth straight win
PORTLAND >> The East Hampton girls basketball team capped its terrific 2015-16 campaign with a 34-24 victory over Portland Wednesday night at the Bengston Memorial Gymnasium. The Bellringers, who have won nine straight, finished 18-2. Their only losses were to fourth-ranked Cromwell and Morgan. “The kids have done an amazing job and have really […]
Girls basketball: Portland honors Chaconis at twinbill
PORTLAND >> The Portland community filled the Bengston Gymnasium on Tuesday night to honor Hall of Fame girls basketball coach Nick Chaconis. Chaconis, who retired after a 41-year career, didn’t speak during the special ceremony in between the boys and girls basketball doubleheader that pitted the Highlanders against Hale-Ray. He didn’t need too. And it […]
Boys basketball: Cromwell shakes off slow start, routs Portland
PORTLAND >> Cromwell shook off a slow start and routed Shoreline Conference neighbor Portland, 61-37, Tuesday night at Bengston Memorial Gymnasium. The Panthers, winners of 7 of their last 8, improved to 10-3. “We have a problem starting games and it’s cost us probably two of those games because we’re always trying to fight from […]
Girls basketball: A Hall of Fame career comes to an end
This was the greatest night in the history of Portland girls basketball. One that became downright Hoosiers-like, replete with a fire engine escort and patrons spilling out of the Winchester Café in celebration as buses carrying the jubilant Highlanders from Uncasville rolled past. Of course, a night like this wouldn’t be whole without The Look. […]
Safety clinches win for Rocky Hill, but not playoffs, in first Shunpike Showdown
ROCKY HILL >> In a must win to even have a shot at the Class S playoffs, the Rocky Hill football team – specifically the defense – got it done. Linebacker Patrick Sullivan sacked Cromwell/Portland quarterback Jarius Bailey in the end zone with 58 seconds left in the fourth quarter to give the Terriers a 9-7 […]
Football: Defense lifts Cromwell / Portland past Hyde / Career / Whitney
CROMWELL >> Powered by a new-found passing attack, a kick-off return for a touchdown, and a momentum shifting goal-line stand, Cromwell/Portland took another huge step towards a possible Class S playoff berth with an impressive 33-12 Pequot Conference win over Hyde/Career/Whitney Tech Friday at Pierson Park. Panthers senior quarterback Jarius Bailey completed 9 of 10 […]
Football: Hyde back in Class M state playoff conversation
WEEK 10 Hyde Co-Op at Cromwell/Portland, Friday, 6 p.m. NEW HAVEN >> A current five-game winning streak has put Hyde/Career/Whitney Tech in the Class M state playoff conversation. The Howling Wolves (6-2), who are 10th in the Class M rankings, will need to win their two remaining regular-season games and then acquire enough bonus points […]
Football: Cromwell / Portland squeaks past Gilbert / Northwestern
WINSTED >> Cromwell/Portland’s football team (6-1) came within an eyelash of an upset by a fired-up Gilbert/Northwestern team (4-3) at the Gilbert School Saturday afternoon before pulling out a 13-9 win with 2:15 left in the game. The Yellowjackets led 9-0 at the half, 9-6 after three quarters, holding a trio of talented Cromwell/Portland runners […]
Girls soccer: St. Paul Catholic edges Portland
PORTLAND >> St. Paul Catholic tuned up for the upcoming Class S state tournament with a 4-3 non-league victory over Portland Thursday night. The Falcons, who compete in the Naugatuck Valley League, scored three unanswered goals in the second half to edge the two-time defending state champion Highlanders. “They’ve (Portland) always had a very good […]
Football: Cromwell/Portland holds off North Branford
Cromwell takes 7-0 lead on @CarlsonNelson Nelson Carlson's 29-yard TD scamper #cthsfb pic.twitter.com/2cIwx0KrWN — Josh Howard (@RareReminderJH) October 16, 2015 CROMWELL >> There were a few moments in the fourth quarter when North Branford seemed destined to march down the field and score the game-tying touchdown. But the Cromwell/Portland defense rose on every occasion. The Panthers […]
Boys Soccer: Valley Regional clinches Class M tourney berth
DEEP RIVER >> The Valley Regional boys soccer team kept its slim Shoreline Conference tournament hopes alive with a 5-1 victory over Portland Thursday afternoon at Blythe Field. Senior Jason Simoneau tallied two goals and two assists, senior Garrett Hines netted two goals, and junior keeper Buddy Haydu made three saves as the Warriors improved […]
Football: Cromwell / Portland awarded forfeit from Coventry / Windham Tech / Bolton
CROMWELL >> Cromwell/Portland football coach Chris Eckert confirmed via email Friday morning that Coventry/Windham Tech/Bolton has forfeited its game to Eckert’s team that was scheduled to be played at Coventry. Eckert said that Coventry could not field a team because of “low numbers” of players. He said Coventry told him they had 23 players available. […]
Football: Hickman's 3 TDs leads Ellington past Cromwell/Portland in Pequot unbeaten battle
Congrats to @mark_hickman10 who officially passed Chad Anselmo for the Knights All Time Leading Scorer! #cthsfb pic.twitter.com/S9FJ34Y2Wk — Ellington Football (@FootbalKnights) September 26, 2015 ELLINGTON >> Mark Hickman scored three touchdowns to become Ellington’s all-time leading scorer as the Knights defeated Pequot East rival Cromwell/Portland, 34-20, for the first time in program history. Ellington led […]
Boys Soccer: 'Greatest Show on Turf,' Old Saybrook blanks Portland on new field
OLD SAYBROOK >> The Old Saybrook boys soccer team was the Greatest Show on Turf on Thursday. Powered by junior Ashton Reina’s two first half goals, the Rams christened its new turf field with a 5-0 Shoreline Conference victory over Portland at Old Saybrook High School. “The kids are excited,” Old Saybrook coach Sam Barnes […]
Football: Cromwell tops Stafford in Eckert's return
CROMWELL >> The Cromwell/Portland football team made head coach Chris Eckert’s return to the sidelines a winning one as the Panthers topped Stafford/East Windsor/Somers, 39-7, in a Pequot Conference battle Friday night at Pierson Park. Eckert missed the Panthers’ opening day win against Coginchaug last Saturday while serving a one-week suspension following a preseason hazing […]
Football: Middletown region preview/picks
MIDDLETOWN >> The unquestioned headliner this weekend is tonight’s Middletown at Wethersfield game. It’s an early-season matchup of two teams expected to be among the Central Connecticut Conference’s top Class L teams. The game also carries statewide playoff implications. Xavier opens its home slate tonight, hosting Amity at Palmer Field as the Falcons try to […]
Football: Sapp's late TD lifts Cromwell / Portland to victory over Coginchaug in emotional victory
DURHAM >> It wasn’t the greatest win in Cromwell football history. But it sure felt like it. Kristian Sapp scored the game-winning touchdown with only 58 seconds left and senior lineman Justice Taylor thwarted Coginchaug’s final drive with a huge quarterback sack as the Panthers upended the Blue Devils, 20-14, in a Pequot Conference slugfest […]
Football: Jim Bransfield's Middletown region preview/picks for opening night
MIDDLETOWN >> The high school football season opens tonight and all the area teams are in action. If there is a theme involving the three city teams, it’s concern about the offensive line. Xavier’s Sean Marinan, Middletown’s Sal Morello, and Vinal’s Joe Cefaratti all expressed concern about the guys up front. In all cases, it’s […]
2015 Pequot League Team Preview Capsules
EAST Coginchaug The Blue Devils lost several of their star players from last season and head into 2015 with new coach Nick D’Angelo. Parker Tregoning and Cam Powers at least return at RB and Wes Benjunas takes over at QB for graduated Jake Ober. The defense, however, returns just four starters. Team Preview […]
Girls soccer: Portland ready to defy the odds again
PORTLAND >> It’s not Glastonbury, Avon, Immaculate or Suffield. It’s not traditional power Guilford. It’s not even a program from The Big Three conferences: SCC, FCIAC, and CCC. Portland is the answer to the question: name the state’s only girls’ soccer program that has played in three state championship games in each of the last […]
Football: Cromwell suspends coach Chris Eckert for week following hazing incident; Captains apologize on team's behalf
CROMWELL >> Cromwell Superintendent of Schools Paula Talty announced on Tuesday that head football coach Chris Eckert has been placed on a one-week unpaid suspension following the investigation of a hazing incident within the Panthers program. Eckert, who has been on paid administrative leave since a complaint was made to the Cromwell police on Aug. […]
