5 Things from #vthsfootball week 7

1---Hornets beat buzzer, Seawolves to keep top 4 hopes alive.

    The Essex Hornets and Burlington/South Burlington Seawolves came into Friday night's matchup 1 of 4 teams at 3-3.  With the top 3 spots all but guaranteed going in (BBA, SJA at 7-0; MAU 5-2 with Brattleboro in the finale), this one ultimately became a must win to keep a top 4 seed and first round playoff game in D1.

    Enter Benjamin Hotaling, who made key plays against Rutland in week 4 and did the same in week 7, including pushing in from 3 yards out as the horn sounded for the Hornets to come away with a 25-19 win against BSB.  The Seawolves and Hornets traded TDs in the 4th with Levi Bent scoring to give EHS the lead before Henry Dodge scored to tie it at 19 (PAT block for Essex, 2-pt no good for BSB).

    Hornets will travel to Burr and Burton to end the regular season while the Seawolves host Colchester at Munson Field.

2---Cosmos shock Otters in last seconds, hand OV first loss of season.

    1 week ago, Springfield hosted Windsor and, after fumbling the ball deep in their own end, gave up the game-winning score late in the 4th quarter, suffering their first loss in state this season.  Friday night, the Cosmos would pull off the same result albeit in a much different form.

    After being denied on the 2-point play for the win, Springfield's Dmitri Jasinski recovered an onside kick, and the Cosmos scored the game-winning TD as Jace Beamon found JP Stanger with 8 seconds left to hand Otter Valley their first loss of the season 19-14 in Brandon.  Beamon started in place of Senior Maddox Wilson.

    The win by Springfield coupled with Mount Abe/Vergennes' win at Spaulding all but clinched the #1 seed for the Eagles in the Division 3 playoffs, though they'll have to travel to Murkowski Field for a matchup with Otter Valley next week.  As for the Cosmos, they host Bellows Falls in their rivalry game.  Both games take place Saturday night.

3---Notable playoff scenarios

D1

SJA and BBA are 7-0.  Bulldogs host Essex and Hilltoppers host Lyndon.  SJA win likely gives them the top seed.

Mount Anthony has all but locked up #3 seed with win at Fair Haven on Thursday.  At Brattleboro in Week 8.

Middlebury could get #4 with win and Essex loss.  Could be a 4-way tie for #4 if Rutland and Seawolves win.

CVU @ BFA could determine 8 if MMU wins.  Seawolves & Hartford win could help RedHawks.  MMU likely eliminated regardless of week 8 result.

D2

Colchester likely #1 seed.  Lyndon win vs. SJA gets them #2; loss and Fair Haven gets it with win vs. HART.  Rice and Spaulding battle for home field in round 1.  North Country could also get into 4/5 with win vs. MMU and help.

D3

MAV is #1; OV, SPR, BF battle for #2 (Cosmos get it with win & Otter's loss; Terriers could also move up with win in Springfield); Bottom 4 seeds is complete cluster with WIND 3-3 and 3 teams 2-4 (MRU, WOOD, MIL).

4---"Helmet Stickers"

Sawyer DiMario (MIL):  190 Passing yards, 5 TDs in Yellow Jackets' 36-22 win vs. FAX

Owen Fox (LYN):  148 rushing yards, 3 TDs including game-winner in Vikings' 30-26 win @ HART

Jeremy Glodgett (NCU):  170 Rushing Yards, 3 TDs in Falcons' 26-22 win vs. U-32

Tim Bacon, Benjamin Hotaling (EHS):  Bacon INT sets up Hotaling's GW TD for Hornets in 25-19 win vs. BSB

Jaden Bazin (BF):  8 carries, 335 yards, 5 TDs in Terriers' 60-28 win vs. MMU

Brady Lloyd (MIDD):  Passing TD, KO & Punt return TDs, INT on defense in Tigers' 42-6 win vs. BRAT.

Jace Beamont & JP Stagner (SPR):  Connected on GW TD in Cosmos' 19-14 win @ Otter Valley

Cole Gagnon & Clark Crary (MAV):  combined for 482 rushing yards and 6 Total TDs in Eagles' 49-6 win @ Spaulding.

Gavin Huntington-Monroe (SJA):  320 Passing yards & 4 TDs in Hilltoppers' 46-23 win vs. BFA

5---"Rivalry Week" games in Week 8

Mount Anthony @ Brattleboro (Friday @ 7PM):  A trophy is on the line, but both teams are heading in different directions to end the season.

Windsor @ Woodstock (Thursday @ 7PM):  While not a noteworthy rivalry, the two schools have history in D3, especially in recent memory.

Spaulding @ U-32 (Friday @ 7PM):  The Barre-Montpelier rivalry game may have more than just bragging rights on the line.

St. Johnsbury @ Lyndon (Saturday @ 1PM):  It's the game in VT, but it's the Hilltoppers game in recent years.  Can LI end the drought in 2026?

Bellows Falls @ Springfield (Saturday @ 7PM):  Another rivalry dating back to the 1890s with a lot more on the line this year.

5 Things from #vthsfootball Week 6

1---Movement Friday:  massive results change standings in all 3 Divisions

    The week 6 slate of games saw what I considered sneaky-good games across the state.  Thursday's 2 games went as expected as St. Johnsbury rolled over the Seawolves and Rutland got past Brattleboro.  Friday's games were much different as 4 results saw massive moves for each of the 3 divisions.

    In D1, Middlebury knocked off Essex 7-0 to send both teams to 3-3, joining Rutland and BSB at that mark.  D2 saw Lyndon come back to beat Bellows Falls 26-20 in Overtime while U-32 upended Rice 21-6 for their first win of the season.  D3 had an exciting finish in Springfield as Windsor recovered a fumble and scored late in the 4th to knock off the Cosmos 15-12.

    Heading down the stretch, results like these become more valuable to teams gunning for playoff berths.  Look at the games to watch for week 7 to see what I mean.

2---Colchester dominates at the line in D2 title game rematch

    It was a rematch from last year's D2 title game between Colchester and Fair Haven.  Unfortunately for the Slaters, it was the Lakers' seniors (especially those on the line) who took control of the matchup on Laker Lane, helping them prevail 27-6 and improve to 5-1 on the year.

    With 2 D1 opponents (CVU, BSB) left in the season, Colchester may have locked the #1 seed in the division with the win.  Fair Haven does have Mount Anthony next week so a win there could keep the Slaters in position for the top spot.

3---Is it time for 8-man football in VT?

    If you have followed my X/Twitter spaces during the season (or even in the last few years) you'll know that 1 discussion point is whether or not it is time for Vermont to add a new 11-man division or make an 8-man division for schools who may not have enough players to field a team (Oxbow and Poultney are example of those who have had to cancel seasons in recent years).

    The concern has continued as most JV programs have gone to the 8-man format this year due to low numbers.  While the 8-man option might not be for everyone, it may be one of the only ways to keep the sport thriving in the state even with other sports like Soccer and Cross Country seeing an uptick in numbers.

    My question to those reading is this:  How would you change Vermont high school football if you had the opportunity?  Would you add an 8-man division for programs who would have more chances to thrive?  Should the lower-tier programs combine to make its own division?  Let me know in the comments.

4---"Helmet Stickers" (stats via Burlington Free Press)

Micah Perez (RUT):  274 rushing yards and a TD in Rutland's 28-14 win over Brattleboro

David Gilbert (BRAT):  112 rushing yards, 2 TDs in Bears' 28-14 loss at Rutland

Conor Danaher (CHS):  170 rushing yards, 2 TDs (and a TD catch) in Lakers' 26-7 win vs. FH

Middlebury Defense:  Held Essex scoreless in 7-0 win at home

Jack Burke (WIND):  2 TD runs including game-winner in Yellow Jackets' 15-12 win at Springfield

Cormiac Farrell (U32):  TD runs of 46, 87 and 13 yards in Raiders' 21-6 against Rice (Win 1 for U-32)

Talin Bartholdi (MAU):  3 TD runs in Patriots' 34-26 win against Hartford

Owen Fox (LYN):  Game-tying TD pass to Grant Newland; Game-winning TD in overtime vs. BF

Sam Dowd (BBA):  5 Total TDs (4 Passing, 1 Rushing) in Bulldogs' 53-7 win @ CVU

BFA RBs Davion Jones, Porter Sweeney, Hayden Sweeney combined for all 5 TDs (Jones with 3) as the Bobwhites defeated MMU 35-28 for first win of the year.

Eli Hoar (SPA):  2 rushing TDs on 91 yards; 132 passing yards and a TD in Tide's 33-13 win at FAX

5---Games to watch in Week 7

Mount Anthony at Fair Haven (Thursday @ 7PM):  Patriots last 2 games are against D2 opponents, but a win here likely solidifies a home playoff game.

Burlington/South Burlington at Essex (Friday @ 7PM):  Hornets looking to bounce back against Seawolves as a potential home playoff game is on the line (BSB host Colchester in week 8; Hornets at BBA).

Lyndon @ Hartford (Thursday @ 7PM):  Vikings looking for #2 and a home semifinal game but cannot overlook Hurricanes with SJA next.

Mount Abraham/Vergennes at Spaulding (Friday @ 7PM):  MAV could solidify D3 top seed with win in Barre; Tide looking for a home playoff game in D2.

Springfield at Otter Valley (Friday @ 7PM):  After loss to Windsor, Cosmos may need to win to keep hopes of a home playoff game alive (host BF in week 8)

5 things from #vthsfootball week 5

1---Chittenden County 2-2 games didn't disappoint as Essex, Seawolves pick up crucial wins

    5 teams in Division 1 came into week 5 with 2-2 records.  On Friday night, Mount Anthony shut out BFA-St. Albans 28-0 to get their 3rd win of the season.

    The other two came down to the wire in Chittenden County as Essex and CVU renewed Vermont's "Iron Bowl" while Rutland made the trek north to face the Seawolves.

    At Munson Field, Rutland once again scored first only for special teams to give up a KO return TD.  BSB would pull ahead and hang on for a 40-32 win and get them to 3-2.  At Mark Bombard Field (Thanks, Jack Main), Essex came back from a 17-6 deficit in the 4th quarter with Niko Nann breaking through from 40 yards out to win it for the Hornets 20-17.

    Both the Seawolves and Hornets have massive road tests next week (BSB at SJA and EHS @ MIDD)

2---Huntington-Monroe, Hilltoppers knock Lakers from rank of unbeatens

    Another week for St. Johnsbury football, another big performance from Gavin Huntington-Monroe.

    GHM threw for 297 yards and 5 TDs (3 to Kingston Carey and 1 each to Maddox McFarland and Henry Semp) to keep their undefeated season going while handing Colchester their first loss 35-14 (the 14 points the most the Hilltoppers D has allowed all season).

    SJA have the short week coming as they host BSB on Thursday.  Colchester have the D2 final rematch against Fair Haven Friday night in the Platypus Bowl (Disney fans may get the reference).

3---MAV dominate Rice to remain unbeaten, add to QPR with 3 games remaining

    Cole Gagnon of Mount Abraham/Vergennes has been the talk of the 2026 season in D3 with nearly 300 rushing yards per game.  While Rice was able to stop him early, the rest of the Eagle(dorres) were able to shine in a 31-6 win against the Green Knights to improve to 5-0 on the season.

    Mason Atkins (one of the Burlington Free Press' breakout performers in the first half of the season) picked off Rice twice, including one returned for a TD, while Clark Crary caught and ran for a score in the victory.  Gagnon did run for 2 scores of his own in the second half while amassing 147 rushing yards in the game.

    Mount Abraham/Vergennes welcome Missisquoi to Bristol next week for senior night before traveling to Spaulding and Otter Valley to end the season.  Rice also host Missisquoi for their senior day in 2 weeks with road games at U-32 and Milton sandwiched between it.

4---"Helmet Stickers"

Alphonce Mashaka (BSB):  80-yard KO return for TD, Rushing TD late in Seawolves 40-32 win vs. Rutland.

Kingston Carey (SJA):  159 rushing yards, 103 receiving yards & 3 TDs in Hilltoppers' 35-14 win vs. Colchester

Sam Dowd (BBA):  3 TD passes in Bulldogs' 54-7 win at Brattleboro

Clark Crary (MAV):  2 TDs (1 rushing, 1 receiving) in Eagles' 31-6 win at Rice

Jackson Wells & Owen Fox (LYN):  Combined 266 rushing yards and 5 TDs in 42-20 win over NCU

5---Week 6 games to watch

Burlington/South Burlington @ St. Johnsbury (Thursday @ 7PM):  With BFA and LYN following, this could be last chance for Hilltoppers to add to their QPR total.

Essex @ Middlebury (Friday @ 7PM):  Hornets "House of Horrors" game as both teams come off massive wins.

Fair Haven @ Colchester (Friday @ 7PM):  Rematch of 2025 D2 state championship game.

Windsor @ Springfield (Friday @ 7PM):  Sneaky-good game in D3 as both teams continue to track in right position.

Burr and Burton @ Champlain Valley (Saturday @ 1PM):  RedHawks had a tough time against SJA; how will they look against the other D1 unbeaten?

5 Things from #vthsfootball Week 4

1---Crossman, Patriots knock off Tigers in Middlebury

    The Burlington Free Press has their fearless football picks come out prior to the start of the week.  This week, all but one person had Middlebury over Mount Anthony in week 4.

    This is the part where I give Jack Main of NBC5 his flowers as the Patriots went into Doc Collins Field and came back from a 14-0 deficit to defeat the Tigers 27-17.  Jonathan Crossman continued his amazing run Friday, throwing for 301 yards and 3 TDs (156 yards and 2 TDs to Rowan Behan) as MAU moves to 2-2 on the year with BFA-St. Albans coming to Bennington next Friday.

2---Green Knights defense stymies Tide in shutout at Landers Field

   After an injury to starting QB Jack Tyson, Rice's football team turned to Freshman Liam Aslakson for an important matchup with Spaulding in week 4.  While he wasn't perfect in the Knights win over the Tide, he didn't have to be.

    The Rice defense gave him the spark he needed on a 95+ yard pick 6 from Jack Semprebon and shutting out Spaulding 21-0 on Saturday (though a Tide TD was called back on an inadvertent whistle in the 3rd quarter).  Aslakson did do his part, running for a score late in the first half, then passing for a score to Healy Talbert in the 4th quarter to put the game on ice.

    Rice now hosts Mount Abraham/Vergennes on Saturday looking to give the Eagles their first loss of the season.

3---Officiating emphasis in play after article on video reviews

    While I was at Landers Field on Saturday, there was 1 thing I noticed during the game that got my attention:  at least a half-dozen times the offense was called for an illegal procedure penalty.

    Earlier this week, an article came out from Alex Abrami of the Burlington Free Press regarding film review for officials during the season.  One significant play discussed happened in week 2 when Middlebury's final drive against CVU should have ended on a penalty for illegal touching as the receiver who caught the ball was covered up on the play, making him ineligible.

    These types of pre-snap calls can be important depending on where a team is on offense.  For the Tigers, it's a difference between a 0-4 and 1-3 start.

4---"Helmet Stickers"

Owen Cassan & Sam Gilliam (BBA):  Combined for 6 TDs in Bulldogs 55-14 win against the Seawolves

Ben Hotaling (EHS):  KO return TD, receiving TD, INT on Defense in Hornets' 27-20 win vs. Rutland.

Jack Semprebon (RICE):  3 INTs on defense, including a pick-6 in the first quarter against Spaulding.

Gavin Huntington-Monroe (SJA):  357 passing yards and 5 TDs in 42-7 win at CVU.

Jonathan Crossman (MAU):  301 passing yards and 3 TDs in 27-17 win at Middlebury

Cole Gagnon (MAV):  278 rushing yards, 3 TDs in 44-8 win vs. Woodstock.

Rex Baning (HART):  139 rushing yards, 2 TDs (plus INT on D) in 21-6 win vs. Brattleboro.

5---Games to watch in Week 5

Champlain Valley @ Essex (Friday @ 7PM):  Hornets celebrate 60 years of football with rivalry game between 2-2 opponents.

Middlebury @ Hartford (Friday @ 7PM):  Both teams enter 1-3, but Hurricanes looking to add to QPR with win.

Colchester @ St. Johnsbury (Friday @ 7PM):  Someone will take their first loss as the Lakers head to Fairbanks Field against a tough Hilltoppers offense.

North Country @ Lyndon (Saturday @ 1PM):  Sap Bucket on the line as the Vikings and Falcons do battle.

Mount Abraham/Vergennes @ Rice (Saturday @ 1PM):  Eagles come in at 4-0, but the Knights defense looks good after shutting out Spaulding in week 4.

5 Things from #vthsfootball Week 3

1---Seawolves return to BHS; Jovall, CVU spoil party

    For the first time in 4 years, the Burlington/South Burlington Seawolves hosted a high school football game at Buck Hard Field, BHS' home turf in front of their new school that opened last month.

    Leave it to rival Champlain Valley to ruin the party with a defensive stranglehold of BSB in a 20-6 win.  Alex Jovall was the story for most of the game, picking off 2 Seawolves passes and kicking FGs of 28 and 37 yards in the victory.  Luca D'Agostino provided the other scores for the RedHawks, running for a score in the first and passing for another to Carter Matthews just before half.

    CVU's defense has been impressive early but have a hot St. Johnsbury team at home next Saturday.

2---Patriots end 31-year drought against Rutland

    Mount Anthony was the team to watch going into the 2026 season but home losses to the Seawolves and BBA had them on the ropes early.  A trip to Rutland Friday night became a proverbial must-win for the Patriots and, behind their defense and a pair of Crossman to Baker TDs, managed to pull off the upset 14-12 at Alumni Field.

     Doesn't get any easier for MAU as they're at Middlebury next week.

3---6 Undefeated teams remain

    Burr and Burton & St. Johnsbury in D1; Fair Haven and Colchester in D2; Otter Valley and Mount Abraham/Vergennes in D3.  All 3-0 on the season and in some cases, all 3 were no contests.

    The Bulldogs ran over Hartford on Saturday.  The Hilltoppers pulled away late at Middlebury.  Slaters and Otters shut out Lyndon and Rice, respectively while the Lakers and Eagles ran away in their week 3 games against NCU and Fairfax/Lamoille, respectively.

    The Otters are on a bye next week, but a few of the 3-0 teams have important games in week 4.

4---Week 3 "Helmet Stickers."

Niko Nann (EHS):  170 rushing yards, 3 TDs in Essex's 42-27 win over BFA-St. Albans

Jonathan Crossman & Logan Baker (MAU):  Connected on 2 TDs in the Patriots' 14-12 win at Rutland

Maddox Wilson (SPR):  300 Passing yards, 3 TDs in Cosmos' 32-22 win against Woodstock

James Caforia-Magee (MMU):  180 Passing Yards, 4 TDs (S/O to Nate Fullem who caught 3 of those) in Cougars' 34-14 homecoming win against U-32.

Jack Boulger (MRU):  3 TD Passes and a TD run in the Minutemen's 34-12 win vs. Windsor.

5---Week 4 Games to watch

St. Johnsbury @ Champlain Valley (Saturday @ 1PM):  Hilltoppers bring their high-potent offense to Hinesburg against one of D1's best defenses.

Mount Anthony @ Middlebury (Friday @ 7PM):  Both teams come in at 1-2.  Patriots have the momentum; can they keep it up at Doc Collins Field?

Rutland @ Essex (Friday @ 7PM):  So much history with this rivalry and Hornet Homecoming game makes this one you can't miss.

Spaulding @ Rice (Saturday @ 1PM):  After being shut out at OV, Knights return home against a Tide team that put up 69 in Swanton.

Milton @ Windsor (Saturday @ 1PM):  Yellowjackets are the first to come off a bye this season.  How will they look when they travel south to face the Yellow Jackets (wait, which one is which?)

5 things from #vthsfootball week 2

1---Seawolves rally late, improve to 2-0 with Buck Hard return next

    After losing their starting QB and giving up a TD late in the 4th quarter to make it a 2-score game, Burlington/South Burlington needed a jolt to get them back in the game.

    They got that on the ensuing kickoff when Sheamus Leggett took it 80 yards to the house, making it 31-26.  After recovering the onside kick, Guthrie Safran (who took over for Kyle Knoth) found Colton Bramhall over 4 BFA defenders for the 34-31 win and a 2-0 start as they get set to play their first game at Buck Hard Field in at least 4 years against CVU Friday Night.

2---Lyndon comes back from HT deficit, sets up marquee showdown Friday night.

    Another massive showdown is Fair Haven hosting Lyndon.  But the Vikings nearly fell into the trap of U-32 on Saturday afternoon, trailing 14-8 at halftime.

    But LI were able to score the next 27 points to prevail 35-14 and get to 2-0 before traveling southwest to face the Slaters.

3---Otters building momentum in D3 with victory in Fairfax

    2 years ago, Otter Valley stunned Fairfax/Lamoille in the D3 semifinals to make the title game at St. Johnsbury.  The Otters have continued to have the Bullets' number holding them to just 1 TD in a 24-8 win Saturday.

    OV play their home opener against Rice on Friday night.

4---Week 2's "Helmet Stickers"

    Brody Lloyd (Middlebury):  Multiple fourth down conversions, including 2 on the Tigers' game-winning drive at CVU (26-yard TD pass to Jason Sperry)

    Conor Danaher (Colchester):  Rushing, Recieving and KO return TDs in 28-19 win vs. Essex

    James Caforia-Magee (Mount Mansfield):  3 Passing TDs in loss to Rice

    Jackson Wells (Lyndon):  179 rushing yards, 2 TDs (plus Passing TD) in win vs. U-32.

    Cole Gagnon (Mount Abraham/Vergennes):  40 carries, 263 yards, 4 TDs in 34-16 win at Windsor

5---Games to watch for in Week 3

    BFA-St. Albans @ Essex (Friday @ 7PM):  Hornets play their first home game in a must-win for 0-2 squads.

    St. Johnsbury @ Middlebury (Friday @ 7PM):  Tigers' home opener is a D1 title game rematch against the Hilltoppers.

    Colchester @ North Country (Friday @ 7PM):  Falcons face the defending D2 champs in their home opener.

    Woodstock @ Springfield (Friday @ 7PM):  Wasps in potential must-win against a veteran Cosmos team coming off close loss at Beekmantown, NY.

    Windsor @ Mill River (Saturday @ 1PM):  While the Minutemen are 0-2, they're a tough 0-2 as they host the Yellowjackets.

Rapid Recap: Middlebury score TDs to begin, end thriller at CVU

     In week 1 of the Vermont high school football season, the Middlebury Tigers were shut out by D1 favorites Burr and Burton in Manchester.  It took them the first possession of week 2 in Hinesburg against Champlain Valley to score their first TD of the season.

    Their second TD happened with 13 seconds left in regulation from a reliable source.

    After CVU took the lead in the third, Middlebury would go 84 yards in about 5 minutes with Jason Sperry scoring the game-winner from 26 yards out to knock off the RedHawks 12-7.  The Tigers took the opening possession at their own 6-yard line and drove down the field in over 10 minutes of play before Maverick Gardner-Wacker punched it in for a 6-0 lead.

    Both defenses were unstoppable the rest of the half, including CVU's Alex Schad picking off Brody Lloyd just before halftime to keep it 6-0.  In the 3rd quarter, the RedHawks would get on the board as D'Marcus Riggs was able to find Alex Jovall for the TD to make it 7-6.  In the 4th quarter, Middlebury was able to hold off the CVU offense while Riggs would suffer a significant injury.  The Tigers were outstanding on 4th down with a couple of key conversions during their final drive, setting up Lloyd and Sperry's game-winning connection.

    Jovall would return the ensuing KO into Middlebury territory, and a penalty would give CVU one last chance, but Luca D'Agostino's pass was overthrown and picked off to preserve the Tigers win.

    Middlebury plays its home opener next Friday night against St. Johnsbury while Champlain Valley travels to Burlington's Buck Hard Field for a rivalry matchup with the 2-0 Seawolves.