Panthers Superior in Shunpike Showdown

Cromwell/Portland football won the Shunpike Showdown for a fourth straight time, defeating Rocky Hill 38-7 at Pierson Park on the eve of Thanksgiving.

The win improved the Panthers to 9-1 and earned them the top-seed in the Class SS playoffs.

Playing in his first Shunpike Showdown, freshman Tyler Cipolla returned the opening kickoff of the game for a touchdown to open the flood gates as the home Panthers scored the first 31 points.  

Quarterback Cole Brisson connected with Jack Nolan for a pair of touchdowns and Alex Hair added two more rushing touchdowns in the lopsided victory. 

After losing the three games in the holiday series, which dates back to 2015, the Panthers have won the last four by a combined score of 121-42.

Rocky Hill’s Joey Motes hit Frankie Guerrera on a 37-yard touchdown in the four quarter for the Terriers only points in the loss. 

Rocky Hill ended the season with a record of 7-3, just missing out on a spot in the Class SS playoffs. 

​Despite losing all-conference senior captain Alex Peruta to a season-ending injury in September, the Terriers ended up winning the Central Connecticut Tier IV Championship behind a great team effort and the talents of Guerrera, who scored 19 touchdowns this fall.