Rockville tops Ellington, advances to Class M semis

Dec. 1—VERNON — How do you prepare for an opponent that you played less than a week earlier?

That's the question Matt Ryan and his teammates on the Rockville High football team spent the six days between their games with Ellington trying to answer.

"I think it definitely made it harder," Ryan said. "It was a really weird week preparing. We played them last week, so we were really thinking about how they would change, for me defensively, but also offensively. It was really about who executed better because we both had an idea of what we were doing."

Fortunately for Ryan, it was the Rams that had the better execution Tuesday.

The senior threw two touchdown passes as No. 2 Rockville blanked No. 7 and Pequot Uncas foe Ellington 27-0 in the Class M quarterfinals.

The win gives the Rams (9-2) their second Class M semifinal berth in as many seasons. The 2020 campaign was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This year has been a lot about trying to get that stuff back after missing a year," coach Erick Knickerbocker said. "I think it took us a little bit longer, but we're excited to be there."

Rockville hosts No. 6 Torrington Sunday with a berth in the title game on the line. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

The Red Raiders (8-3) knocked-off No. 3 Granby/Canton 37-29 Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Ellington was making its first playoffs appearance since 2014. It finishes the season 7-4.

"I think tonight it really came down to they're much more physical than we are," coach Keith Tautkus said. "They have more players than we do. We have a good skill set, but our opportunities to bring in someone off the bench that can play really well are not there."

Tuesday's game was a rematch of the "Battle of Route 83" game Nov. 24, a 27-7 Rams win in Vernon.

"We knew Ellington would come back with everything they had," Knickerbocker said. "We did make some minor adjustments on defense and offense. It's weird, we've never been able to do something like that.

"Some of those adjustments paid off for us, but then they came out and gave different looks, and we came out and gave different looks. So it ends up being a different game anyway."

Things got off to a less than stellar start for the Rams Tuesday, however, as they fumbled on the first play from scrimmage.

But running back De'Shaun Perry was there for the recovery.

"One of the things we said we couldn't do was allow them to get something positive early," Knickerbocker said. "That's why we took the ball (after winning the coin toss). So that first fumble, man we're lucky to have it."

With new life, Ryan kept the drive going with a 14-yard run on third down, and the senior found Hason Green for a 45-yard touchdown pass two plays later to put the hosts up two minutes into the game.

"It was very important," Green said of the fast start. "This season, we had a lot of slow starts. We knew that if we came out on fire today we would be set-up to win this game."

The duo connected on another touchdown pass, this time from 18 yards out, to make it a two-possession game with 1:02 left in the quarter.

"Those two throws he made are the best throws he's made," Knickerbocker said. "I mean at this time of year when you have a quarterback making those throws and guys catching the ball like that, that's hard to defend."

Ellington mustered only 38 yards of total offense in the first half, compared to Rockville's 123.

"They didn't throw anything different at us," Tautkus said. "We had a tough week. I don't want to ever blame anything, but we had a lot of injuries. Mike Bontempo hurt his foot yesterday, we didn't even think he was going to play. Our other corner Elijah Miller severely sprained his ankle on Friday...But they sucked it up and got out here and played.

"They weren't 100 percent, I think that was a big factor. We were playing some other kids that hadn't been out there very much."

Still, Ellington had its chances. But like Wednesday, mistakes caught up to the Knights. A muffed punt that was recovered by the Rams cost them a drive with great starting field position late in the first half.

Ellington also had first-and-goal situations in the third and fourth quarters, but turned it over on downs both times.

"We had a couple breaks today," Knickerbocker said. "Defensively, we didn't have all the sacks or any of that stuff. But we seemed to collectively play good, solid defense all night. We forced some turnovers, that always helps, and we protected the ball."

Freshman Amir Knighton and senior Travon Edmondson had touchdown runs of 88 and 22 yards, respectively, in the third quarter to account for the final score. The Rams finished with 198 yards on the ground.

"They've been outstanding all year," Knickerbocker said of his running backs. "In our big games, Amir has always made that big play. But we ride Travon in the second half when teams are tired. That's not a fun guy to bring down."

Ryan finished 6-for-12 for 106 yards. Teammate Cameron Washington had an interception and Malachi Mapp also played well defensively.

Ellington junior Dante Mangiafico, who came in after starting quarterback Zac Killoran injured his left knee late in the second quarter, finished 11-of-20 for 118 yards and added 23 more on the ground. Teammates Louis Gosselin and Bontempo added interceptions.

While the Rams earned a shutout Tuesday, their next opponent saw its quarterfinal game come down to the wire.

Mason Stannard caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Semonich to give Torrington the lead with 57.8 seconds to play. Stannard then batted down a Granby/Canton fourth-down pass at the goal line with 5.5 left to clinch it.

Granby/Canton is the only common opponent the teams had this season. Rockville beat the Bears 42-0 on Oct. 22.

"We're going to have to play a good team, and we're excited to still be playing football in December," Knickerbocker said. "Who wouldn't be."

ELLINGTON (7-4) 0 0 0 0 — 0

ROCKVILLE (9-2) 14 0 13 0 — 27

R — Hason Green 45 pass from Matt Ryan (Michael Naylor kick).

R — Green 18 pass from Ryan (Naylor kick).

R — Amir Knighton 88 run (Naylor kick).

R — Travon Edmondson 22 run (run failed).

For coverage of the Connecticut Sun and professional women's basketball, Hartford Athletic pro soccer team, as well as area high school and local youth sports, follow Adam Betz on Twitter: @AdBetz1, Facebook: Adam Betz — Sports Writer, and Instagram: @AdBetzJI.