Week 4 of the Vermont high school football season finished up on Saturday, meaning we have officially reached the halfway point. While not all 30 teams have played 4 games thus far, enough games have occurred to give us a good look at which teams have shined this year and which ones have fallen off from 2023. Let's take a look at each Division 1 team's 2024 year and what's next for some of the best teams.
#1--Champlain Valley (4-0): The Redhawks have been the team to beat in Chittenden County since 2021 and now boast one of the top defenses in the state. Their closest win was 17-0 against Hartford in week 1 and have allowed a combined 19 points thru 4 weeks.
At the same time, the offense has scored 40+ points the last 3 weeks. Led by QB Orion Yates, WRs Jacob Armstrong and Billy Bates and RB Nolan Walpole, CVU continues to be atop the standings in Division 1 and a favorite to win the state title in November.
#2--Rutland (4-0): The school formerly known as the Raiders; Rutland hasn't seen a lot of success in recent years. But a marquee victory over Middlebury in week 3 have them poised to make a case in D1.
QB Noah Bruttomesso and RB Jayden Graham have catapulted Rutland's offense as they've scored 21+ points in all 4 games. They'll hope to keep the momentum going with matchups against Essex and Hartford coming up.
#3--Essex (3-1): The Hornets are the top 3-1 team in the division according to the VPA's ranking system, but it hasn't come easy for them. In week 3, Essex lost starting RB Ethan Hemingway to a knee injury and needed stellar play from QB Carter Crete against Burr and Burton to stay above .500 on the season.
While Griffin Randall has had stellar performances in relief of Hemingway, matchups with Colchester, Rutland and Middlebury will determine how far they will go into October.
#4--Middlebury (3-1): After being unable to come back at Rutland in week 3, the Tigers were able to spoil homecoming weekend at Hartford and keep them in line for a home playoff game.
The Defense has allowed 7 or fewer points in 3 of their 4 games and their trusted running game continues to shine with Avery Carl and Logan McNulty leading the way. QB Luke Nuceder has found success in the passing game when needed, but can they keep it going with matchups against CVU and Essex coming in October.
#5--Burlington/South Burlington (3-1): The Seawolves are the dark horse team in Division 1, but with one of the fastest players in the state, anything is possible.
QB Ahmed Diawara ran away with the 100- and 200-meters state championships in track last year and that speed and agility has shown in all 3 wins of 2024. But he has also found success in the passing game, connecting for a GW TD in a comeback win vs. St. Johnsbury in week 2 and throwing another TD pass in week 4's win against U-32. With BFA, Colchester and Brattleboro coming up, can he and the Seawolves continue their run to a top seed in the postseason or will they fall into a trap before the showdown with CVU in week 8?
#6--Mount Anthony (2-2): The Patriots, led by QB Jon Crossman and top receiver Dreland Carey, have won their last 2 games against Burr and Burton and Colchester and now host Hartford in week 5.
#7--Hartford (2-2): The Hurricanes' offense has been stymied in losses to CVU and Middlebury this season, only scoring a combined 7 points. But RBs Nick Daniels and Austin St. Peter have stepped up for a program that lost several key players from their 2023 D1 runner-up squad.
#8--St. Johnsbury (2-2): After starting the year 0-2, the Hilltoppers have outscored opponents 132-21 to get back to 500. Now they travel to Hinesburg for a matchup with #1 CVU on Saturday.
#9--Burr and Burton (1-3): The Bulldogs have lost 3 in a row and are feeling the void from graduating several members of the 2023 D1 state championship team. It doesn't get any easier for BBA as htey face Rutland, SJA, CVU and Middlebury to finish the season.
#10--Brattleboro (0-4): The Bears have allowed 40+ points in their last 3 games but have only been shut out once and nearly upset BBA in week 1.
#11--BFA-St. Albans (0-4): the Bobwhites' closest loss was against Colchester in week 2 and are looking for their first points of the season in week 5 vs. the Seawolves.
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