Rapid Recap: Fair Haven comes back, denies Randolph's repeat bid.

 

    The 2025 Vermont high school bowling state championship is heading back to Rutland County, but it didn't come without a fight.

    Fair Haven needed to come back from 3-1 down in the semifinals against Essex, then was even against top seed Randolph in the championship match before destroying the pins and knocking off the defending champions to win their second state title in four years and 4th overall (a state record in the sport).

    After the Slaters dominated South Burlington/Colchester in the quarterfinals, they met a Hornets team that came back from 0-3 down against Burlington to make the semis.  Essex took game 1 by a single pin, then won games 2 and 4 comfortably.  But Fair Haven put together Baker scores of 208, 211 and 208 and the Hornets started getting tired, leading to the Slaters comeback and advancing to the finals.

    Randolph, the top team in Vermont high school bowling in 2025 after winning the championship in 2024, also swept their QF match against White River Valley.  Then, after losing the first two games against #4 St. Johnsbury (who defeated Windsor in 5), controlled the pace and advanced to the finals.  In Game 4, the Ghosts tied the state record for a Baker game when they shot a 279.

    In the Final, Randolph took game 1 172-150; Fair Haven took the next two before the Ghosts responded in Game 4.  Then the Slaters got scores of 217 and 233 in games 5 and 6, respectively, to take down #1 and win the title.  

    Notes:  South Burlington/Colchester and White River Valley made the quarterfinals after defeating Craftsbury and Brattleboro, respectively, in the first round this AM...2025 marked the third straight year that SpareTime hosted the event...The 2025 bowling season concludes on March 8 with the twin state classic at Maple Lanes in Claremont, NH.

2025 Vermont High School Bowling State Championships preview

     After 9 weeks of Vermont high school bowling matches, we have reached the tournament weeks in the 2025 season.  Here's a look at the 10 teams vying for a state championship and how some individual performers did in 2024-25.

1---Randolph

    The defending state champions brought back several key players from their 2024 team and are the favorites to go back-to-back in 2025.  Randolph have won 87% of their Baker matches this year and have 8 individual bowlers who finished the regular season in the top 36 individually, led by Avery Stockwell who finished 2nd overall.  The last Ghosts bowler to win the individual title was actually Avery's brother, Howard, in 2019.

2---Fair Haven

    The 2022 state champions have two of the top 3 bowlers in the state (#1 George Stamp and #3 Emma Eckler) as they look for their second individual champion in the last 3 years (Josh Kennedy in 2023).  The Slaters are also one of three teams (RAND, BUR) to have won 20 of their Baker matches this year, which is pivotal in the best-of-7 state tournament.

3---Essex

    After heartbreaking finishes in the 2023 and 2024 state championships, the Hornets are back as North division champions.  2 bowlers finished in the top 5 individually (#4 Jayden Blake and #5 Jordan Tucker), but there have been some questions surrounding their performance in the Baker matches.  Can they figure it out in states, or will it be another tough end to another amazing season?

4---Saint Johnsbury

    In year 2 as a program, the Hilltoppers have seen similar success from 2024.  Their one major blemish this year was a 4-point effort at SpareTime at the beginning of February.  What will the return trip to the lanes in Colchester look like on the first?

5---Windsor

    For the first time in program history, Steve Bly is not coaching the Yellowjacket bowlers.  Windsor have had some big moments in February, winning 2 of the 3 Baker matches in the regular season, including the league championship last week.  Can that momentum help them to a run in the states?

6---Burlington

    The Seahorses, led by Noah Jenkins (#8 individual bowler), are hoping to use some home-lane advantage to make a deep run in the 2025 state championship.  They'll have the same seed as SB in 2024, who made it to the finals.

7---South Burlington/Colchester

    We have another first in Vermont high school bowling.  While the SB Strikers have found success for years, including a finals appearance in 2024, the team is now a co-op with Colchester for 2025.  With Owen McGrath and Griff Preska leading the charge, will they be a dark horse again in the state tournament?

8---Brattleboro

    The Bears are another team dealing with major changes:  Coach Will Bassett left the program, and 2024 individual champion Thomas Bell graduated.  Brattleboro does have a top ten bowler in Dakota St. Louis in what has been a rebuilding season overall.

9---White River Valley

    The Wildcats continue to see positive strides in their bowlers and are hoping to pull off an 8-9 upset in the state tournament.  One bowler finished in the top 15 (freshman Andrew Bradley) while the team won 43% of their baker matches.

10---Craftsbury

    In year 3 for the program, the Chargers have had some rough spots but have also seen good performances from their bowlers.  The team took 3rd place in the league championship last week, giving them some momentum going into the state tournament.

Important Dates and notes:

Saturday:  Vermont High School Bowling individual championship (@ Rutland Bowlerama)

    Top 32 Bowlers make the tournament

    16 best performers advance to match play (2 rounds)

    Final 4 remaining compete in a stepladder format (4 vs. 3; winner faces 2; winner of that faces 1)

    Fun fact:  The last team to sweep the individual and team state titles were Windsor in 2015-16

March 1:  Vermont High School Bowling State Championship (@ Sparetime in Colchester)

    All matches are best-of-7

    First Round starts at 9AM

    QFs start around 10AM

    Awards ceremony to follow

    SFs around 12:30PM

    Championship match to follow the semis

Division 1 Vermont High School Boys' Basketball Scenarios

     We are in the final week of the 2024-25 Vermont high school boys' basketball season and there are still several moves that could happen in the last few days.  While some teams only have 2 games left, others have makeup games from the recent storms that dumped snow over the state the last few weeks.  Here are some of the key scenarios for each of the top 8 teams in D1

1---Burlington (17-1) (vs. RUT, @ RICE)

    The Seahorses' mission is simple:  Win tonight against Rutland and they are the top seed in D1.  Lose and hope the Knights lose one of their next 2 games.  Otherwise, Saturday's game at Bernie Cieplicki Court could determine the #1 seed come playoff time. 

2---Rice (14-3) (vs. COL, @ SJA, vs. BUR)

    A win tonight vs. the Lakers will be head coach Paul Pecor's 400th with the Green Knights.  But that's just the first of a 3-game in 5-day span for Rice, who head to the NEK on Thursday looking to clinch at least the #2 seed against St. J.

3---St. Johnsbury (12-5) (vs. EHS, vs. RICE, @ CVU)

    It's a Chittenden County finish for the Hilltoppers with the Hornets and Green Knights heading north while finishing the season in Hinesburg against CVU.  Taking 2 out of 3 should keep them in the top 4, but there are some teams lurking should they lose one more.

4---Rutland (13-5) (@ BUR, @ MMU)

    Rutland has everything to gain and lose this week.  If they can upset Burlington, it should give them a top 4 seed in the playoffs.  Losing 1 or both of their last 2 games will likely see them heading back up north in a QF game. 

5---South Burlington (12-6) (vs. CVU, vs. COL)

    If the Seahorses can take care of Rutland, The Wolves are in the right spot to secure a top 4 seed.  Only problem is they have to face a Redhawks team that knocked them off one month ago.  Home court tonight could be the difference between one or two playoff games at Burleigh court next week.

6---Mount Mansfield (9-8) (vs. BFA, @ COL, vs. RUT)

    After their game at Colchester was postponed, the Cougars face BFA-St. Albans tonight looking for win #10 on the season.  It would likely clinch the six seed in the playoffs and avoid Burlington and Rice until the semis.

7---Champlain Valley (8-10) (@ SB, vs. SJA)

    In Coach Ernie Duncan's first season, the Redhawks have a chance to finish at .500.  CVU could also finish outside the top 8 if other results go against them this week.

8---Burr and Burton (9-9) (@ MAU, @ BRAT)

    Unlike Rutland, who end their season with 2 games up north, the Bulldogs will stay close to home with matchups at Mount Anthony and Brattleboro.  Likely locked into a top 8 spot, 2 wins give them a chance at #6 in the playoffs.

My trip to Foxborough and the MIAA HS Football championships

     When I took the week of my birthday off, my initial hope was to see a New England Patriots game, just like I did when I turned 8 years old in 1996.  Unfortunately, the Pats were on a bye this week and I had to hope for something different to come into play.

    Then, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association announced that their "Super Bowl" football games would take place that same week and, after thinking long and hard about it, I took the chance and made it out to be part of this special event.  Did I see every game?  Well, between the weather and number of games played each day, not even close.  But it didn't stop me from having the experience of a lifetime at Foxborough.

    The trip down was pretty simple:  Making it to my hotel and being able to check in early so I can enjoy the calm before the storm.  After lunch with my dad (who brought me down from home), I relaxed for the night and got ready for the week.

    On day 1, it was all about enjoying the Gillette experience.  My first trip was to the Patriots Hall of Fame, spending time looking at the exhibits and talking with the son of the great Gil Santos.  Between Gil, George Commo and Sean McDonough, they were the first voices I remember hearing as a child and made me want to be a sports commentator so meeting Mr. Santos sent me through a case of emotions.  Then getting to see the footballs, rings, legendary jerseys and those Super Bowl trophies was a moment I'll never forget.  I didn't take any photos at the Hall, but that's because while they say a picture is worth a thousand words, I can promise you this is something that photos won't do justice.  You have to actually go there to see it.  After getting lunch and resting in my hotel a bit longer, I went to the lighthouse and was able to take photos from the top of it while also getting my picture taken from the point.

    Then the first game of the MIAA state championships began with Uxbridge and Mashpee.  The Spartans and Falcons were evenly matched, but with the score 28-20 in the fourth, Mashpee kicked the ball deep and Uxbridge scored on the very next play to take the momentum away and win the D7 title.  I tried staying for the D6 title game between Hudson and Fairhaven, but the rain started falling and I had to call it a night.  The Hawks knocked off the Blue Devils 21-14 in that game.

    On day 2, I took it easy early, then back to Gillette for the D4 title game between Scituate and Duxbury.  The Sailors won the coin toss, elected to receive, scored their first TD in about 3 minutes and took the momentum with it en route to a 29-13 win.  I made it through the first quarter of the D1 final between Xaverian and Needham, but the cold did in fact bother me and I checked out early again and watched the last 2 games in my room.  The Hawks won 14-7 while Catholic Memorial took the D2 title over King Philip.

    Day 3 was the coldest of the week.  With the wind picking up, the wind chill was in the teens, so I was hoping to get through at least 1 game and that's exactly what I did.  After heading to the Patriot pro shop and grabbing some new gloves (hoping the extra layers would work), I took in the D8 title game as Randolph (MA) faced West Boylston.  The Lions (who actually have the Detroit logo) got off to an early lead, but the Blue Devils came back.  Randolph turned a 22-3 deficit into a one-possession game late, but a miscue on an onside kick saw WBHS run out the clock and win the title.  After that, I got some food at the concessions, but I was already feeling the effects of the weather and ended my trip to the stadium early.

    In the end, I only got to see 3 games in full, but I still got enough out of being at Gillette Stadium and seeing the field up close (photos coming on my social accounts), going to the Patriots HOF and seeing all the exhibits (including one on New England football for my VT friends), and being on top of the lighthouse at the stadium.  So, it really doesn't matter how many games I saw or how cold it was each day (though it will come into play next time I try something like this); all that matters is being there and having a trip that I will never forget.

My day in St. Johnsbury and the #vthsfootball championship games

     For the first time ever, I had the opportunity to be a part of a day-long extravaganza in high school sports.  Well, first time may be an understatement as I was at the baseball finals at Centennial Field back in June, but I wasn't going to miss out on this occasion.  I heard so many people talk about the experience of being at Rutland for championship Saturday in football, but never had a chance to get down there (work or transportation issues).  But this year, I knew I needed to get down there.

    I left my place at around 6:30AM yesterday, got to St. Johnsbury at 8AM and had breakfast at Anthony's Diner on Railroad Street.  The food there was delicious, and it definitely felt like an old-school diner experience.  After that, it was a walk down memory lane (as a grad of Lyndon State College) heading to Fairbanks Field for the 3 title games taking place.  Meeting so many people before and during the games (media, coaches, officials, administrators) was such an exciting experience and made it feel like an event.

    The Division 2 final between Rice and Fair Haven was first off.  The Knights got off to a great start with 2 long TD passes from Dallas St. Peter, but the Slaters responded with a prolific defensive game and a running game that could not be stopped.  The game was close throughout, but Fair Haven put it away late with a time-consuming final drive and an INT late to secure their first title since 2017.

    After that was the D3 final and it was all Woodstock from the opening kick.  The Wasps pulled away to a 65-14 win over Otter Valley to secure their 12th state title, tying the record for most in the sport (Hartford and Bellows Falls also have 12).  The 65 points were the most all time in a high school football championship game.

    Then came the main event:  The D1 title game, which featured CVU and Rutland.  The Redhawks have been the most dominant team in D1 post-Covid, making the title game for the 3rd time in 4 years and looking for their second title in this run.  Not only did they do just that, but it was another dominant performance for a team that has done just that during their undefeated season.

    Nolan Walpole shined all game long (even after suffering an ankle injury late in Q2) and Orion Yates was able to find his receivers all game long for an impressive 41-14 win that gave CVU their 6th state title in the fall season (Girls XC, Boys and Girls golf, Boys and Girls soccer).

    There have been talks as to whether or not this team is the best D1 team ever and it's tough to go against them.  The Redhawks outscored their opponents by nearly 400 points!  Some may say that 2009 Essex is up there as well and, while I knew most of the players on that team (2007 EHS alum), 2024 CVU has a run for that top spot after Saturday's performance.

    At the end of the day, the scores didn't matter to me.  It was being at St. Johnsbury, being part of something that was so special and meeting people who put their heart and soul into Vermont high school football.  Thanks to all of you who were nice enough to let me talk about the game.  Thank you to St. Johnsbury Academy for being an amazing host after 12 years at Rutland.  Thanks to the officials who did a great job during their games.  Thanks to the fans who were able to make this even more special (no matter how far they had to travel to get there).

    Thank you to everyone who made this day one I will never forget!  The fall sports season is over and winter is coming.

    You know what that means?  🎳

Instant Reaction: Rice ends decade-long title game drought, survives Lyndon 27-20.

     The 2024 Rice Memorial football team has had a somewhat easy schedule this year with half of their games against D3 schools (including their only loss vs. BFA-Fairfax).  Coming into the postseason, the odds were against them and, after surviving a scare from U-32 a week ago, it felt like Lyndon would take advantage of that schedule.

But as the old saying goes, the Green Knights survived and advanced.

Rice used a 4th quarter rally and pressure on the Vikings offense to stamp their ticket to the D2 final with a 27-20 win at Bill Landers Field Saturday.  It's the Knights' first title game appearance since 2014.

Rice got the ball to start the game and drove down the field with a couple of big runs from Eric Poso before Dallas St. Peter finished the drive for the TD.  After Lyndon were unable to do anything on their first drive, St. Peter would capitalize again, busting through the defense to make it 13-0 (PAT blocked after the second TD).

But before halftime, the Vikings would gain the momentum with a TD pass from Ethan Lussier to Logan Wheeler with 24 seconds left.  LI would then pull off the onside kick and Lussier would find Wyatt Mason who rumbled down the sidelines to give them the lead at halftime.

Neither team could garner much on offense in the 3rd quarter as Rice would pick off Lussier twice in the quarter.  Then, needing the drive of his HS career, St. Peter would deliver a pass to Isaias Lagasse for the go-ahead score.  Lussier would be picked again on the ensuing drive and St. Peter would connect with Poso to put the game out of reach.

The Vikings would score at the buzzer for the 27-20 final.

Rice (9-1) will face Fair Haven in the Division 2 final (a rematch of that 2014 title game), who knocked out Bellows Falls in the semifinals.  Lyndon's season ends at 6-4.

Week 8 Vermont High School Football Predictions

     It's the final week of the 2024 Vermont High School football regular season, so let's make these picks count.  After a 9-5 run last week, I'm looking to get a perfect run this week.  Here are my picks for Week 8.

Rice @ Milton:  Yellowjackets are in a must-win at home to make the playoffs, but the Knights have looked strong all season and will continue that as they look for the #1 seed in Division 2.

Mount Anthony @ Brattleboro:  The Bears are winless and have nothing to lose while a Patriots loss could force them into a matchup with CVU in the playoffs.  While the upset looks good here, I like MAU to come out of this one with the win.

Poultney @ Fair Haven:  Slaters looking to guarantee a top 4 seed in the D2 playoffs while the Blue Devils have an outside chance to do the same with a win.  In the end, Fair Haven will be too much and send Poultney into the playoffs on a 3-game skid.

Essex @ BFA-St. Albans:  The Bobwhites have given up 50+ in more than half of their games this year.  Don't know if Essex gets to that many, but this should be an easy W for the Hornets on senior night.

Champlain Valley @ Seawolves:  CVU hasn't scored less than 30 since week 1, but might face their biggest test at Munson Field against the Burlington/South Burlington co-op.  I'll take the Redhawks to end the regular season undefeated, but I'm also hoping for a shootout and hope the Seawolves will make it a close one Friday.

Spaulding @ U-32:  The Barre-(E)Montpelier showdown has some D2 playoff implications.  Both teams are coming off impressive wins last week, but I like U-32 to hang on against the Tide.

Hartford @ Rutland:  Doesn't get simpler than this; the winner is guaranteed a home playoff game while the loser could finish as low as 6th.  The Hurricanes have spent the last 2 weeks facing D2 squads while Rutland overcame their first loss of the season with a 54-point explosion at St. Albans.  In this rivalry matchup, I like Rutland to take care of business at home.

Mount Mansfield @ Colchester:  The Lakers have only loss once against a D2 foe in the last two seasons (the 2023 D2 final vs. NCU); I like them against the Cougars at home.

Mount Abraham @ North Country:  A long trek for MAV as they head to Newport with hopes of moving up the ladder in the D2 playoffs.  The Eagles should take care of business in the all-birds showdown with the Falcons.

Middlebury @ Burr and Burton:  This game is at Applejack Stadium as BBA hosts their senior night, but the Tigers look to have the momentum after a huge win at home vs. Essex last week.  Give me Middlebury in this one.

Sanborn (NH) @ Bellows Falls:  While this game will have no playoff implications for the Terriers, I still like them to win this inter-state contest.

Woodstock @ Windsor:  Longtime rivals and opponents in the 2023 D3 finals, but two different teams in 2024.  The Wasps are undefeated and hungry for a title while the Yellow Jackets are young and looking for an upset.  I still like Woodstock in this one.

Missisquoi @ Fairfax/Lamoille:  The Bullets are looking to finish off an undefeated season while the Thunderbirds are looking for win #1.  Going with Fairfax to finish 8-0.

Otter Valley @ Mill River:  The Otters are coming off a bye while the Minutemen have momentum after last week's win vs. Poultney at Castleton.  Another huge rivalry with playoff implications, I like MRU at home.

St. Johnsbury @ Lyndon:  It's the 119th meeting between these two schools, but this means more for the Vikings with a chance at the top seed in D2.  The Hilltoppers are stuck in the 7/8 position in D1 but would like to prove themselves going into the playoffs.  I like SJA on the road.