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?
