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.
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