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Undefeated teams. High-powered offenses. Suffocating defenses. Wide-margin victories. Those are all factors when considering which Vermont high school football team had the greatest single season in state history.
There are many teams who can make a case they are No. 1. Or on the short list to make their claim they deserve to be included in the discussion. For criteria, Burlington Free Press reporters Alex Abrami and Judith Altneu plucked out 13 nominations for the poll based on seasons since 1970 and on — the first year the Vermont Principals' Association adopted a championship format.
Now it's your turn, the reader, to cast your vote in the latest BFP summer ballot powered by Delta Dental.
Voting is unlimited until the poll closes at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6. The 2026 football season opens with training camps statewide on Monday, Aug. 10. Opening night is set for Friday, Sept. 4.
Read on and then vote away!
Behind linebacker Kent "Grumpy" Haskell, one of the program's greats, Bellows Falls capped an perfect season with a hard-fought, 14-13 victory over Montpelier in front of 3,000 fans at Middlebury College. Haskell made several big plays in the title game, according to the Free Press 1971 game report, including a momentum-swinging interception. Prior to the final, Montpelier coach Burt Morrison said of the Terriers: "They don't do anything fancy, offensively. They just run at you, but they do it well."
Mount St. Joseph steamrolled every opponent they played, trailing just one time all year long. The Mounties outscored opponents 394-77 and relied on a team built on speed and running back depth with Bobby Joe Cioffi, Russell Ward and fullback John Harvey sharing the load. In the D-I championship game against South Burlington, the Mounties score touchdowns on the team's first four possessions enroute to a 50-7 win and a perfect season. MSJ's defense only gave up an average of 7.0 points per game.
South Burlington started the 1982 season with a 56-0 shutout in the season opener. It ended in perfect fashion, beating mighty Mount St. Joseph for the second time that fall with a 19-7 triumph in the Division final for a 9-0 campaign. In the back half of 1982, South Burlington allowed just 13 total points and clinched the Northern Division title with a convincing victory over Middlebury. Paul Jordan was named coach of the year and eight players landed on the Northern Vermont All-Conference team including Dave Aldridge, who piled up 169 yards on 27 carries in the title game.
Mount Anthony football won its semifinal game without star wide receiver Ryan LaCasse, who suffered a knee injury. LaCasse suited up for the D-I championship game at the last minute and scored two touchdowns in the Patriots' 28-0 shutout victory over Middlebury helping Mount Anthony secure a perfect season where it outscored teams 401-80. Running back Jason Parks rushed for 1,136 yards and 14 touchdowns for Mount Anthony. Four Patriots earned spots on the BFP's all-state first team with LaCasse making both the sides of the ball.
Quarterback Jake Eaton led Rutland to its second straight title with a 24-14 win over Middlebury throwing for 232 yards and three touchdowns. It was Rutland's 20th straight win dating back to the 1996 season. Eaton had a break out year during his junior season throwing for over 1,900 yards and 26 touchdowns. Eaton, tight end Matt Daley linemen Chris Dupuis and Jeff Whitmer and defensive back Bill Moran all were included on the Free Press All-State first team.
Mount St. Joseph picked up where they left off in 1998, putting together an undefeated season with back-to-back Division I titles. The Mounties averaged 39.4 points per game entering the state championship game where Mount St. Joseph defeated Middlebury 26-6. Quarterback Mike Keenan threw for over 2,500 yards and 33 touchdowns. Running back Mike Hackett accumulated over 1,800 all-purpose yards with 32 touchdowns.
Three years after a winless season, a rebuilt Rice program led by coach Tony Brice stormed to the Division III championship by outscoring teams 548-124 over 11 games. Behind Drew Mccartney (218 rushing yards) and Matt Tomkowicz (165 yards), Rice halted Woodstock's four-year reign with a 37-14 triumph in the final. Five players, including Mccartney and Tomkowicz, made the 2004 Free Press All-State first team.
Perfecting a no-huddle, spread offense, the Essex Hornets swapped out their traditional wishbone offense for a high-flying one. And they lit up opposing defenses, rolling up 500 points while allowing just 131 in an 11-0 campaign capped with a 48-14 victory over Rutland in the D-I championship game. Essex trailed just twice all season. Gatorade player of the year Max Librizzi threw for 3,335 yards and 45 touchdowns. Librizzi led six Essex players who landed on BFP's all-state first team.
Hartford continued its dominant run winning its second of three consecutive D-I titles with a perfect 11-0 season where the Hurricanes outscored opponents 508-112. Troy Bell earned the Free Press' football player of the year award after averaging 17.1 yards per carry and excelling in the other two phases. Five other Hurricanes earned places on the BFP's all-state first team.
One year after completing an undefeated season, the Middlebury Tigers were perhaps even better in 2014. With a bevy of returnees, the Tigers averaged 41.6 points per game and only gave 8.7 points. Most games were over by the break on their way to an 11-0 campaign punctuated by a 28-7 victory over St. Johnsbury in the D-I title game. Middlebury also pitched five shutouts and allowed just 13 points total after Week 5. Free Press player of the year and quarterback Austin Robinson was among five teammates on the the BFP all-state first team.
Powered by Gatorade player of the year Carson Leary, Otter Valley tore through its competition, outscoring teams 574-124 during an 11-0 run to capture the D-III crown. Leary, who ran for 2,484 yards and 39 touchdowns, piled up 421 yards and five scores on the ground in the Otters' 33-14 win in the state final. OV recorded three shutouts on the season and eclipsed 50 points on seven occasions.
The 10-1 Burr and Burton Bulldogs are the lone team on this list that do not go undefeated. But the Manchester program had an electric offense and stifling defense, averaging 48.6 points per game and yielding just 11.8 as the Bulldogs set a then-championship record for points with a 63-14 victory in the D-II title game. Joey McCoy flourished at the controls of the BBA offense, with top receiver Jake Baker among the state's best.
Yes it happened this decade, but the 2024 Champlain Valley team was arguably one of the state's best cruising to an 11-0 undefeated season. The Redhawks outscored opponents 462-62 and only gave up two touchdowns in two games. Champlain Valley had skill players all over the field with star quarterback Orion Yates, the player of the year, and wide receiver Jacob Armstrong. The defense featured playmakers such as Dylan Terricciano and Lucas Almena-Lee.
Contact Alex Abrami at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
Contact Judith Altneu at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vote for the greatest Vermont high school football team powered by Delta Dental
Continue reading...
There are many teams who can make a case they are No. 1. Or on the short list to make their claim they deserve to be included in the discussion. For criteria, Burlington Free Press reporters Alex Abrami and Judith Altneu plucked out 13 nominations for the poll based on seasons since 1970 and on — the first year the Vermont Principals' Association adopted a championship format.
Now it's your turn, the reader, to cast your vote in the latest BFP summer ballot powered by Delta Dental.
Voting is unlimited until the poll closes at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6. The 2026 football season opens with training camps statewide on Monday, Aug. 10. Opening night is set for Friday, Sept. 4.
Read on and then vote away!
Vote for the greatest Vermont high school football team since 1970
1971 Bellows Falls Union High School
Behind linebacker Kent "Grumpy" Haskell, one of the program's greats, Bellows Falls capped an perfect season with a hard-fought, 14-13 victory over Montpelier in front of 3,000 fans at Middlebury College. Haskell made several big plays in the title game, according to the Free Press 1971 game report, including a momentum-swinging interception. Prior to the final, Montpelier coach Burt Morrison said of the Terriers: "They don't do anything fancy, offensively. They just run at you, but they do it well."
1976 Mount St. Joseph Academy
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Mount St. Joseph steamrolled every opponent they played, trailing just one time all year long. The Mounties outscored opponents 394-77 and relied on a team built on speed and running back depth with Bobby Joe Cioffi, Russell Ward and fullback John Harvey sharing the load. In the D-I championship game against South Burlington, the Mounties score touchdowns on the team's first four possessions enroute to a 50-7 win and a perfect season. MSJ's defense only gave up an average of 7.0 points per game.
1982 South Burlington High School
South Burlington started the 1982 season with a 56-0 shutout in the season opener. It ended in perfect fashion, beating mighty Mount St. Joseph for the second time that fall with a 19-7 triumph in the Division final for a 9-0 campaign. In the back half of 1982, South Burlington allowed just 13 total points and clinched the Northern Division title with a convincing victory over Middlebury. Paul Jordan was named coach of the year and eight players landed on the Northern Vermont All-Conference team including Dave Aldridge, who piled up 169 yards on 27 carries in the title game.
1994 Mount Anthony Union High School
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Mount Anthony football won its semifinal game without star wide receiver Ryan LaCasse, who suffered a knee injury. LaCasse suited up for the D-I championship game at the last minute and scored two touchdowns in the Patriots' 28-0 shutout victory over Middlebury helping Mount Anthony secure a perfect season where it outscored teams 401-80. Running back Jason Parks rushed for 1,136 yards and 14 touchdowns for Mount Anthony. Four Patriots earned spots on the BFP's all-state first team with LaCasse making both the sides of the ball.
1997 Rutland High School
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Quarterback Jake Eaton led Rutland to its second straight title with a 24-14 win over Middlebury throwing for 232 yards and three touchdowns. It was Rutland's 20th straight win dating back to the 1996 season. Eaton had a break out year during his junior season throwing for over 1,900 yards and 26 touchdowns. Eaton, tight end Matt Daley linemen Chris Dupuis and Jeff Whitmer and defensive back Bill Moran all were included on the Free Press All-State first team.
1999 Mount St. Joseph
Mount St. Joseph picked up where they left off in 1998, putting together an undefeated season with back-to-back Division I titles. The Mounties averaged 39.4 points per game entering the state championship game where Mount St. Joseph defeated Middlebury 26-6. Quarterback Mike Keenan threw for over 2,500 yards and 33 touchdowns. Running back Mike Hackett accumulated over 1,800 all-purpose yards with 32 touchdowns.
2004 Rice Memorial High School
Three years after a winless season, a rebuilt Rice program led by coach Tony Brice stormed to the Division III championship by outscoring teams 548-124 over 11 games. Behind Drew Mccartney (218 rushing yards) and Matt Tomkowicz (165 yards), Rice halted Woodstock's four-year reign with a 37-14 triumph in the final. Five players, including Mccartney and Tomkowicz, made the 2004 Free Press All-State first team.
2009 Essex High School
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Perfecting a no-huddle, spread offense, the Essex Hornets swapped out their traditional wishbone offense for a high-flying one. And they lit up opposing defenses, rolling up 500 points while allowing just 131 in an 11-0 campaign capped with a 48-14 victory over Rutland in the D-I championship game. Essex trailed just twice all season. Gatorade player of the year Max Librizzi threw for 3,335 yards and 45 touchdowns. Librizzi led six Essex players who landed on BFP's all-state first team.
2011 Hartford High School
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Hartford continued its dominant run winning its second of three consecutive D-I titles with a perfect 11-0 season where the Hurricanes outscored opponents 508-112. Troy Bell earned the Free Press' football player of the year award after averaging 17.1 yards per carry and excelling in the other two phases. Five other Hurricanes earned places on the BFP's all-state first team.
2014 Middlebury Union High School
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One year after completing an undefeated season, the Middlebury Tigers were perhaps even better in 2014. With a bevy of returnees, the Tigers averaged 41.6 points per game and only gave 8.7 points. Most games were over by the break on their way to an 11-0 campaign punctuated by a 28-7 victory over St. Johnsbury in the D-I title game. Middlebury also pitched five shutouts and allowed just 13 points total after Week 5. Free Press player of the year and quarterback Austin Robinson was among five teammates on the the BFP all-state first team.
2015 Otter Valley Union High School
Powered by Gatorade player of the year Carson Leary, Otter Valley tore through its competition, outscoring teams 574-124 during an 11-0 run to capture the D-III crown. Leary, who ran for 2,484 yards and 39 touchdowns, piled up 421 yards and five scores on the ground in the Otters' 33-14 win in the state final. OV recorded three shutouts on the season and eclipsed 50 points on seven occasions.
2018 Burr and Burton Academy
The 10-1 Burr and Burton Bulldogs are the lone team on this list that do not go undefeated. But the Manchester program had an electric offense and stifling defense, averaging 48.6 points per game and yielding just 11.8 as the Bulldogs set a then-championship record for points with a 63-14 victory in the D-II title game. Joey McCoy flourished at the controls of the BBA offense, with top receiver Jake Baker among the state's best.
2024 Champlain Valley Union High School
Yes it happened this decade, but the 2024 Champlain Valley team was arguably one of the state's best cruising to an 11-0 undefeated season. The Redhawks outscored opponents 462-62 and only gave up two touchdowns in two games. Champlain Valley had skill players all over the field with star quarterback Orion Yates, the player of the year, and wide receiver Jacob Armstrong. The defense featured playmakers such as Dylan Terricciano and Lucas Almena-Lee.
Contact Alex Abrami at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
Contact Judith Altneu at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vote for the greatest Vermont high school football team powered by Delta Dental
Continue reading...
