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.

Week 7 Vermont High School Football Predictions

     Last week, I went 12-2-1 (yeah, I forgot MAU/RICE, so it's a tie for me), but Week 7 should be an easy one with these predictions.  Several games should be easy, but there are a few to keep an eye on in Week 7.  Here are this week's picks:

Burr and Burton @ Champlain Valley:  This is a battle between the last two D1 state champs, but the Bulldogs have lost some key players from 2023, and it's shown all season.  The Redhawks should be able to pull away from BBA.

U-32 @ Mount Mansfield:  A spot in the D2 playoffs may be on the line here with these two 1-5 teams.  The Raiders have lost 5 in a row after winning week 1 and the Cougars won last week ending their own 5-game skid.  It's a toss-up, but I like the Cougars to get win #2.

Brattleboro @ Seawolves:  This looks like a no-contest for Burlington/South Burlington, but don't think it will be easy against a team still with a chance to make the playoffs.  I'll take the Seawolves, but it will be closer than anticipated.

Lyndon @ Woodstock:  The Wasps are one of four unbeatens left in the state but are going up a division this week as they face the Vikings.  Lyndon is coming off a win in the Barrel Bowl but are in a trap game with "the game" vs. St. J next week.   I like Woodstock to stay unbeaten.

North Country @ Hartford:  The Hurricanes play their second straight against a D2 opponent, and this one should be an easy win at home.

Fair Haven @ Mount Anthony:  This one should be a doozy with the Slaters and Patriots in Bennington on Friday.  I'll take Fair Haven to get it done.

Colchester @ St. Johnsbury:  A battle of 2 teams at .500 in their respective divisions, but the D1 Hilltoppers should prevail on the home turf.

Bellows Falls @ Springfield:  The 111th meeting between these two rivals, I like the Terriers to come back from last week's loss at Hartford.

Spaulding @ Missisquoi:  Someone's getting Win #1 in Swanton on Saturday.  I'll take the Tide over the Thunderbirds.

Milton @ Mount Abraham:  The Yellowjackets have battled throughout the season but are still on the outside looking in for a playoff spot.  With the Eagles and Rice ahead, things are looking bleak to get that 8th and final spot.  I'll take Mount Abe at home.

Rutland @ BFA-St. Albans:  After a very difficult 4OT loss at Essex last week, Rutland are poised to rebound this week at St. Albans.

Poultney vs. Mill River:  This one takes place at Castleton and you think that gives MRU the advantage as they have played on Rice's turf field earlier this year.  I still like the Blue Devils to rebound from last week's loss at Windsor.

BFA-Fairfax @ Rice:  The only matchup of undefeated teams at the turf field and it will be a classic matchup of the Bullets running game vs. the Knights' D.  This one will be close, but I think Rice will prevail at home.

Essex @ Middlebury:  We are in October and the Hornets are taking a trip to a venue that may be their version of a haunted house.  A Saturday night showdown at Middlebury with so much on the line.  The Hornets have played 6 extra sessions in the last 2 games while the Tigers are coming off an early morning loss at CVU.

This one has instant classic written all over it and I'm calling for another Hornets win on the road. 

Week 6 Vermont High School Football Predictions

    As we wrap up the 2024 Vermont High School football season, I thought it would be a good idea to give my picks for who will win the remaining games of the year, starting with this week's schedule.  There could be some matchups that could be seen as "instant classics" while a few of them might just be another long day/night for teams who have had rough seasons.

Here's a look at week 6's showdowns and my winners for the week

Bellows Falls @ Hartford:  A battle of longtime rivals kicks off the week Thursday night.  The Terriers are riding a 4-game winning streak and seem locked for a top 4 seed in the playoffs.  Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are coming off a shutout performance at Mount Anthony and are hoping to make a run late in the season.

BF may have the edge in running the ball, but I think Hartford's defense will be too much for them to pick up the upset.

Springfield @ Milton:  Another non-divisional game as Springfield makes the long trek to Milton for a 6:30PM start.  The Cosmos are looking to rebound after a heartbreaking OT loss where they were stopped on a 2-point try to win at Poultney.  The Yellowjackets are 2-3 on the year and fighting for a spot in the playoffs but those Ws have been against winless teams (MSQ and SPA) and they have yet to score 20 points in a game.

Give me Springfield in this one.

Rutland @ Essex:  I may be a homer for my alma mater and the history of this matchup still gives me nightmares, but I will try to be unbiased knowing how good Rutland have been.  But the last 2 games against VT opponents were close contests vs. MIDD and at BBA and Essex are led by Carter Crete and Griffin Randell so this could have all the makings of an upset.

Yeah, I'm going to be biased here...give me the Hornets!

Colchester @ Burlington/South Burlington:  The Lakers come off an impressive upset win against Essex last Thursday, while the Seawolves scored 69 at BFA-St. Albans the next day.  Colchester is no BFA, but B/SB have something special going on this year and start a 3-game homestand to finish 2024.

In this D2 vs. D1 matchup, I'll go with the D1 Seawolves here.

Middlebury @ Champlain Valley:  The Biggest game in week 6 and the earliest game on Saturday (10:30AM) is in Hinesburg as the Tigers and Redhawks battle for the top of division 1.  Both teams come in a week removed from blowout wins against BRAT and SJA, respectively.

The biggest question for this one will be which D can stop each team's top performers:  CVU vs. the Tigers' running attack and MIDD vs. Orion Yates and his big receivers.

This is the biggest toss-up game of the week and maybe even the season.  I think Middlebury will do enough in the end and get an emotional win on the road.

Other Week 6 Picks

Burr and Burton @ St. Johnsbury:  The host Hilltoppers are the Jekel and Hyde of D1.  The Dr. should be in at home against the Bulldogs.

Fair Haven @ U-32:  Slaters get revenge after suffering their first loss last week vs. Bellows Falls.

Keene (NH) @ Brattleboro:  The Bears are 0-5 and allowing 40+ points in their last 4 games.  I'll take the Blackbirds here.

Fairfax/Lamoille @ Mount Abraham:  Another toss-up, but the Bullets should do enough in Bristol to keep their perfect season alive.

Otter Valley @ Missisquoi:  After Dominating Milton a week ago, the Otters take care of business against the Thunderbirds.

BFA-St. Albans @ Mount Mansfield:  Someone's going to get their first W of the season (because HS football games can't end in ties).  Give me the Cougars in the battle of 0-5s.

North Country @ Lyndon:  In the Barrel Bowl game, the Vikings D should be able to stop Hayden Boiven and the Falcons enough to take home the jug.

Woodstock @ Mill River:  Wasps remain undefeated in another high-powered performance.

Poultney @ Windsor:  The Blue Devils will be able to carry the momentum from last week's fantastic finish at home to Windsor and get above 500.