5 Things from #vthsfootball Week 5

     In my last 5 things, I noted the strong performances from teams in the southern part of the Vermont high school football realm.  So, it wasn't any surprise that part of the state had the most dramatic and exciting performances from Week 5 of the season.  Here are this week's 5 things.

1---Rutland/MAU play offensive classic

    It was a back-and-forth matchup in Bennington as Mount Anthony had their homecoming game vs. Rutland.  Asa Reis and Grady Gallagher made big plays on offense, but it was Gio Spalleri finding Cellan Wood (a BFP breakout performer) for the go-ahead score late in the 4th quarter and an INT from Jon Crossman that gave the team formerly known as the Raiders a 42-39 win, spoiling the Patriots festivities.

 

2---This season's best player is...just a sophomore?

    Bellows Falls may be in D3, but after defeating the defending D2 state champions Friday night, they're 5-0 on the season.  One of the biggest reasons for their success is Sophomore RB/DB Jaden Bazin, who scored 5 TDs and came up with an INT on defense in the Terriers' 52-27 win over Fair Haven on Friday Night.  As the great Jack Healy of NSN noted, Bazin did "Everything except play in the band and sell popcorn in the stands."

3---SJA rebounds from Rutland loss in dominant fashion

    While they did face a rebuilding Seawolves team on Saturday, seeing St. Johnsbury up close gave me a chance to see one of the contenders in Division 1.  Maddox McFarland looked great both running and throwing the ball; Vincent Palmeri made guys miss all day and the defense kept Burlington/South Burlington under duress throughout their 49-7 win at Munson Field, a venue the Hilltoppers hope to get back to next month. 

4---D2 Hartford outplays D1 Middlebury

    It was a battle of undefeated teams in Middlebury, but it was Hartford who came out firing on Friday night en route to a 28-13 win over the Tigers.  Rex Baning had another great game with 2 total TDs while the Hurricanes D held Middlebury to 7 points in the first half.  At the moment, it might come down to Rutland in 2 weeks to try and stop Hartford from ending the year undefeated.

5---More realignment?  8-Man football?  The future of the sport.

    Every week, once the final games finish off (or in this case as BFA/Colchester was going on), I'll head on the X app to recap the week's action.  On the Week 5 Recap Show, we had a discussion about the future of the sport in the state of Vermont.

    This came after NSN's Eric Berry had posted on his blog (top post) his idea of realigning the teams into 4 divisions.  I encourage all who see this to look at Eric's post, then tap the other link to check out the space from Saturday for my thoughts on the situation.

5 things from #vthsfootball Week 4

     We have made it to the halfway point of the Vermont High School Football season.  Most of the top 4 teams in each division is either 4-0 or 3-1 but there are still opportunities for those in the bottom of the division to make a move and give those at the top a run for their money.  For now, let's look back at Week 4 and see what we've learned heading down the homestretch.

1---Burr and Burton uses strong 2nd half to knock off Essex

    After both teams' quarterbacks (Dowd for BBA, Bent for EHS) scored in the first half for a 7-6 Bulldogs lead.  Both teams would score to start the second half, and the Hornets were looking to respond after a big 4th down conversion, only for Burr and Burton to force a fumble and return it all the way for a TD to take control of the game.  Owen Cassan had 2 rushing touchdowns in that half as part of the Bulldogs run of 20 unanswered points as they knocked off Essex 27-13 in a pivotal Division 1 matchup.

2---Patriots run away from Rice; ready for D1 test

    Mount Anthony improved to 2-2 on the season with a 43-6 win vs. Rice on Saturday.  Both wins have come against D2 opponents (other being MMU) with a pair of massive D1 games coming up next (vs. Rutland, vs. Middlebury).

3---Rutland's Gallagher plays hero against St. Johnsbury

    Grady Gallagher was among the star players from the 2024 Rutland football team that made the D1 championship game vs. CVU.  He played that role perfectly on Friday night at home against a St. J squad that came in undefeated.

    Gallagher ran for 2 TDs and had a game-sealing INT to hand the Hilltoppers their first loss of the season 21-13, part of a major weekend for teams south of the "Middlebury-Dixie Line" in VT high school football.

4---Game that looked good on paper ended up as drubbings

    It was the 112th meeting between Springfield and Bellows Falls, but for the 15th year in a row, it's the Terriers bringing the trophy home after a dominant performance against the Cosmos on Friday night.

5---Week 5 slate of games (to be updated before Friday)

Hartford @ Middlebury (Friday @ 7PM) (NSN)

Rutland @ Mount Anthony (Friday @ 7PM) (NSN)

St. Johnsbury @ Burlington/South Burlington (Friday @ 7PM) (NSN)

North Country @ U-32 (Friday @ 7PM) (CVT Sport?)

Fair Haven @ Bellows Falls (Friday @ 7PM) (NSN)

Mill River @ Woodstock (Friday @ 7PM)

Poultney @ Springfield (Friday @ 7PM) (NFHS/YT)

Lyndon @ Mount Mansfield (Saturday @ 1PM) (NSN)

Missisquoi @ Milton (Saturday @ 1PM) (LCATV)

BFA-St. Albans @ Colchester (Saturday @ 7PM) (NSN/LCATV)

Brattleboro @ Burr and Burton (Saturday @ 1PM) (NSN)

Essex @ Champlain Valley (Saturday @ 1PM) (NFHS)

Rice @ Mount Abraham (Saturday @ 1PM) (NFHS)

BFA-Fairfax @ Spaulding (Saturday @ 6PM) (CVT Sport?)

Otter Valley @ Windsor (Saturday @ 1PM)

5 things from #vthsfootball week 3

 1---Another defensive stand keeps Lyndon undefeated

    Lyndon Institute faced adversity yet again on Friday night after allowing U-32 to come back from 11-0 down to take a 15-11 lead in the third quarter.  But the Vikings drove down the field, Logan Wheeler scored early in the 4th quarter to take the lead, and the defense did just enough to defeat the Raiders 18-15.

2---Middlebury pulls away from Rutland; moves to 3-0

    In a battle of undefeated squads, it's the Tigers knocking off Rutland 31-21 and take control of one of the top spots in D1 (with St. Johnsbury, who are also 3-0)

3---BF, Cosmos head into rivalry game with seeding at stake

    The Terriers dominated their matchup Friday night at North Country while Springfield got a road win against Windsor.  Both teams come into a critical rivalry matchup 3-0 as Bellows Falls celebrates homecoming 2025 Friday night.

4---Teams who fell week 1 getting better at the right time?

     CVU, Essex, Rice and Woodstock among teams who have won last 2 games after losing their season opener.

5---New Vermont high school football field unlocked.

    Burr and Burton open up Friendship Field with 17-7 win vs. Mount Anthony on Saturday.  Bulldogs head to Essex Friday night for a pivotal game with Hornets.

5 Things from #vthsfootball Week 2

 1---CVU dominates for coach Parisi's first win

    After getting outplayed by Rutland in week 1, Champlain Valley returned to Hinesburg for their first home game of the Frank Parisi era.  It ended up being a dominant performance as the Redhawks defeated BFA-St. Albans 31-3 for Parisi's first win as head coach.  Ian Kennelly threw 2 TD passes in the game as CVU moved to 1-1 on the season and host Burlington/South Burlington next Saturday.

2---LI ones to watch after knocking off defending D2 champs

    Lyndon Institute was 1 win away from a D2 title game appearance close to home in St. J.  Their chances of getting to that game in 2025 got better with wins over the two teams that played in said final.

    After a dominant performance vs. Rice in week 1, the Vikings outlast the Slaters 14-13 on a pair of TD runs by Jackson Wells and an INT from Preston Jenkins late in the game to seal a 2-0 start.  Lyndon travels to U-32 on Friday night.

3---MAV a D3 contender

    3 teams moved down a division this year, but while Hartford and Bellows Falls' moves led to folks already booking them for state title games, Mount Abraham/Vergennes have become a contender.

    After major defense and special team moments against Otter Valley in week 1, the Eagles delivered another 2nd half rally to knock off BFA-Fairfax/Lamoille 27-20 and improve to 2-0 on the season.  Cole Gagnon carried that momentum with 193 rushing yards and a pair of 2nd half TDs in the win.  MAV are at Missisquoi Saturday.

4---D1 St. J survives scare from D2 Colchester

    The game of the week may have been Otter Valley-Springfield had it not been for a pair of massive late-game drives in Laker Land on Friday night.

    First, Colchester tied things up with a 13-play drive, culminating in a TD pass from Colton Lefebvre to Mason Sheltra (+2 from Brody Coppins) to tie things up at 14.  Then, St. Johnsbury would answer with a sub-60 second drive, capped off by a Maddox McFarland pass to Cole Lemieux to give the Hilltoppers a 21-14 win over the Lakers.

    This game may have proved that Colchester could hang with the Metro teams as they head to Essex on Friday night.

5---Massive matchup in Midd awaits.

    After a pair of intense wins to start the season, both Middlebury and Rutland head into their matchup on Friday night with hopes of ending their season at Munson Field in November.  The Tigers picked up road wins at Essex and Brattleboro while Rutland defeated CVU and Burr and Burton at home.

    Now the two clash in a game where the winner may become the favorite to win Division 1, making this a can't miss matchup.  If you can't be there for the game, NSN will be there for all the action.

*Stats and highlights from Burlington Free Press

5 things from #vthsfootball Week 1

     It's time for a new segment on the blog in 2025 involving the Vermont High School football season!  After every week, I'll be looking at the 5 most important events from the previous week.  Let's take a look at those moments from Week 1.

1---Playoff rematches=revenge*

    In Week 1, 2 games were rematches of playoff matchups from last year...and in both cases, the team that lost in 2024 wound up winning in 2025.  Lyndon, under new HC Colin Wells, shut out Rice 23-0 at home and Rutland, also at home, took care of CVU 35-10 to get to 1-0 on the season.

    However, I did have to put an asterisk on this topic as both teams that won last year lost some key players to graduation (and in the Redhawks case, prep school) so we'll have to keep an eye on both Rice and CVU to see how the rest of the season goes.

2---drop down teams mean business

    In 2025, Hartford dropped from D1 to D2 while Bellows Falls and Mount Abe/Vergennes went from D2 to D3.  All 3 teams pitched shutouts in Week 1 with each team playing within their own division.

    The Hurricanes defeated Fair Haven 33-0; The Terriers knocked off Windsor 44-0 while the Eagles got a blocked FG return for a TD en route to a 14-0 win vs. Otter Valley.

3---Colchester's continued success vs. D2

    In Laker Land, the football program has one of the toughest schedules in the state with more than half of their 8-game schedule vs. D1 foes.  But it's helped Colchester against D2 opponents, including rival Milton on Friday night.

    The Lakers got out front with a KO return TD and never looked back in a 54-12 win over the Yellowjackets.  A great start heading into the Metro slate that includes SJA, Essex and CVU on the horizon.

4---Bobwhites' impressive comeback

    A handful of teams ended up with disappointing 2024s with 1 or 0 wins.  BFA-St. Albans may have had the toughest year out of them all, but they started 2025 with a bang.

    The Bobwhites went on an impressive 92-yard drive late in the fourth quarter and capitalized on a miscue on the ensuing kickoff to knock off North Country 21-20 and pick up their first W since 2023.

5---Mill River/Mount St. Joseph's co-op leads to football back at St. Peter's

    Mount St. Joseph's football program hasn't been around for 20 years but have been able to see some players suit up for neighboring Mill River in the years since.  On Saturday, St. Peter's Field at MSJ was home to football once more as the Minutemen hosted BFA-Fairfax/Lamoille.

    The Bullets may have won 31-20 but for me and those who remember the days of the Mounties/Green Wave playing at St. Peter's, seeing it host another game makes it a special occasion for everyone involved.

30 Hours of Excitement: My weekend at the VPA championships.

     On Wednesday night, after the final outs took place in the Vermont high school baseball semifinals, we all had the same idea going:  It was going to be a busy day at Centennial Field for the championship games.

    That was until we realized that when Enosburg knocked off Lyndon, a tripleheader Saturday became 2 doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday.  That's because Enosburg (D2) and White River Valley (D3) were graduating that AM while their opponents graduated the night before.  It meant their games would take place on Saturday afternoon/evening and the D4 and D1 finals would happen on Friday night.

    Not to worry though because it meant that I could also get to Virtue Field for the Ultimate finals on Saturday morning.  So instead of attending just 4 baseball games over 2 days, I got to see 6 title games and meet so many people (both new and familiar) to talk everything involving high school sports.

    Without further ado, here is a look at my weekend attending the VPA championship games.

D4 Baseball Final:  Blue Mountain vs. West Rutland

    Prior to the game, I had the chance to speak with Vermont Sports Hall of Famer George Commo about Friday's action.  He told me that this one had all the makings for an upset (more from him in a moment).  It made sense as the Golden Horde had knocked off #2 Arlington and #3 MSJ to get here.

    But 3 batters in, everything changed.  Leadoff hitter Ryan Coolidge was on third base heading home on a chopper to third and was out by a mile, but tried sliding in a suffered a severe knee injury in the process.  Nearly 30 minutes later, he was transported to UVM Medical Center, and the game was able to resume.

    After that, the story turned to the Bucks' #9 hitter Kristofer Fennimore, who broke his wrist in a scrimmage before the season began.  It led to him wearing a brace throughout the season.  But on Friday, it didn't faze him one bit as he hit an RBI single and got the save, pitching 2 innings in relief, to help Blue Mountain 3-peat as D4 state champions 4-1 over West Rutland.

D1 Baseball Final:  Mount Anthony vs. St. Johnsbury

    Going back to my conversation with Mr. Commo, we talked in great lengths about this matchup and had the same thought:  These two teams making it here was somewhat a surprise.

    It was probably a Chittenden County bias if you ask me, but then I talked to Michael Mawson of the Bennington Banner, and he felt the same way.  But in his case, he thought CVU would give the Patriots a run for their money in their QF matchup.  But in the end, MAU and St. J put on an exciting (and pretty sloppy) contest.

    After Wedensday's win, we knew Rex Hauser, the Gatorade player of the year in baseball for the state, would start for the Hilltoppers.  But he had a rough start against Mount Anthony, allowing 6 runs (1 earned) in 4IP while walking 4 batters in the process.  But St. Johnsbury would rally with a 4-run fourth (down 3-0) and a 2-run sixth (down 6-5) to claim the program's first D1 title since 2016 by a final of 9-7.

Boys Ultimate Final:  Champlain Valley vs. Montpelier

    At 9:45AM on Saturday, UVM's Virtue Field was set up for the Ultimate finals and it was a pretty unique experience for me.  In ultimate, the goal is to either be ahead after 90 minutes or be the first to 15 points to win.  After a back and forth start, the Solons would make a run to take an 8-5 lead into halftime.  Montpelier would then pour it on, making stops and scoring goals to get to within 1 goal of the title.  

    That's when the chant of "Rally, Rally, Champlain Valley" would kick in as the Redhawks would score the next 4 goals to get within 2.  But the Solons would get that title-clinching goal with about 3 and a half minutes left in the game to win their third boys ultimate title 15-12.  An exciting contest and a great look at how the sport has grown since its inception in 2019.

Girls Ultimate Final:  Champlain Valley vs. Milton

    Next up was the girls' final, also involving CVU as they faced the Yellow Jackets from Milton, making the final in only their second year as a varsity program.  Unfortunately, this game was a lot different from the boys as it was all Redhawks from the opening toss.

    Zoey McNabb was the star of this one, scoring 5 goals in the first half and guiding Champlain Valley to their first girls ultimate title in program history.  It was a great story for Milton to make the title game, but it was CVU who would not be denied on this day.

D2 Baseball Final:  Missisquoi vs. Enosburg

    Back at Centennial Field on Saturday, the place was packed with folks from eastern and western Franklin County as the #1 Thunderbirds faced off with the #6 Hornets in the Division 2 final.  This one ended up being a blowout, but not without some excitement from both teams as a couple of foul balls ended up closer to me than I would've liked.

    In the end, a massive game from Missisquoi's AJ Dennett (2-run single and bases-clearing double) and a great pitching performance from Parker Hakey proved to be too much for Enosburg as the T-Birds finished a perfect season with a 12-2 win.

D3 Baseball Final:  White River Valley vs. Thetford 

    Occasionally, I could have some bias towards a team depending on location or who follows me on social media.  This one, my bias was towards the home plate umpire who I've talked to several times online and formally met in St. Johnsbury back in November for the football championships.

    If I had a chance after this game, I would've asked if he implemented a pitch clock for this one as it started at 8PM and ended nearly 100 minutes later with the same outcome as the last two D3 title games:  White River Valley falling short in Burlington.

    The Wildcats did end up scoring first on an error by Thetford (their first run in the last 3 years at Centennial Field), but Thetford answered with back-to-back doubles from Owen Goodrich and Ollie Sarazin giving the Panthers the lead for good, adding one more in the 6th for a 4-1 win.

So, after all of that, the 2024-2025 Vermont high school season has come to a close for me.  It was one of the most time-consuming years I've had.  From the first game at Munson Field to the championships at Centennial Field, it has been a blast being able to see so many great student-athletes compete in the sports they love and the people who covered these events for the different media partners.

Over the course of those 30 hours, I met up with some familiar faces and others who I hadn't talked to either in years (Mawson) or at all (James Biggam of the Times Argus).  That's the benefit of being at 6 games with different parts of the state represented; you never know who's going to show up and cover the games.

As we head into summer vacation, a note that hopefully I can catch some American Legion baseball action before we return to the high schoolers again in August.  For now, enjoy the sunshine (however much there may be this year) and we'll come back again when the gridiron calls in the fall.

Walkoff X2: Wolves take over #1 seed in D1 after 12-inning thriller vs. Lakers

     After losing so many talented players (including their top pitcher), the South Burlington baseball team has been able to find wins and get back to the top of Division 1 in 2025.  But their last 2 wins may have been their most dramatic.

    Less than 24 hours removed from coming back from a 3-1 deficit and walking off CVU, the Wolves were able to force extra innings (and then some) before getting their second straight last at-bat win, defeating Colchester 2-1 in an instant classic at the SB Field on Wednesday night.

    The offenses were kept off the scoreboard throughout the game, with the only runs in regulation coming from an Owen Fullerton RBI double in the fifth and a sac fly by Aiden Gray to bring home Cedric LaMothe (who stole both 2nd and 3rd prior to) in the 7th.

    Both Bennett Campbell (SB) and Jackson Pecor (COL) were outstanding tonight, going a full 9 innings before being relieved in the 10th.  Trey Smith was able to keep the Lakers from scoring through his appearance, while Eli Davis got big strikeouts in the 10th and 11th innings to keep things even.

    In the 12th, Gray led off with a Double and got to 3rd on a single by Sam Kelly.  After Henry Dorman was intentionally walked, Davis was able to get Cade Brouillard (who started the 7th inning rally vs. CVU on Tuesday) to strike out looking before Campbell knocked in the winning run on a hit through the right side of the infield.

    South Burlington improves to 12-2 on the season and travel to Jericho tomorrow for a matchup with Mount Mansfield; Colchester drops to 9-5 on the year and will head to Hinesburg for a date with the Redhawks tomorrow.