You know how some people think Vermont is only about skiing and maple syrup? Honestly, they’ve clearly never stood on the sidelines of a VPA title game in mid-November when the air is biting and the mud is thick. High school football in the Green Mountain State is a different breed of grit. It isn't just about the numbers on the scoreboard; it’s about the communities that show up to cheer on a Friday night under the lights.
We just wrapped up a 2025 season that kept everyone on their toes. If you were looking for vermont high school football scores this year, you probably noticed some familiar powerhouses stayed dominant, but we also saw some absolute heartbreakers and massive upsets that shifted the landscape of the three divisions.
The Drama in Division 1: Middlebury Reclaims the Throne
Middlebury Union just has that "thing." You know what I mean? That culture of winning. This year, they capped off a stellar 10-1 season by taking down St. Johnsbury Academy in a defensive masterclass. The final score was 13-7, a game that basically felt like a heavyweight boxing match where neither side wanted to blink.
St. Johnsbury (SJA) didn’t make it easy. They came into the championship at South Burlington High School with a 9-2 record and a lot of momentum after steamrolling Champlain Valley Union 56-21 in the playoffs. But Middlebury’s defense was like a brick wall when it mattered most.
It's kinda wild when you look at how the D1 bracket shook out:
- Middlebury beat BFA-St. Albans 35-6 in the first round.
- Burr & Burton edged out Essex 13-7 in a nail-biter.
- Middlebury then handled Burr & Burton 27-7 in the semis.
- SJA shut down Rutland 33-13 to punch their ticket to the final.
Rutland and Burr & Burton both finished 6-4, showing that the middle of the pack in Division 1 is tighter than most people realize. If a couple of plays had gone differently in October, we might have seen a totally different matchup at South Burlington.
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Division 2 and the Rise of Colchester
If you’re a fan of the underdog story, Colchester was your team this year. They finished 8-3, which might not look like a "dominant" record on paper, but they won the games that counted. They took the Division 2 championship with a 27-20 win over Fair Haven.
Fair Haven actually came into that game as a bit of a giant-killer. They had upset the top-seeded Hartford Hurricanes in the semifinals with a razor-thin 14-13 victory. Honestly, everyone expected Hartford to coast to the title. They were 9-1 and looked unstoppable until that one-point loss sent them home early.
Colchester’s road was a bit different. They blew past Rice Memorial 48-6 and then handled Lyndon Institute 29-8. By the time they hit the finals, they had this "refuse to lose" energy that Fair Haven just couldn't quite overcome in the closing minutes.
Patrick Connors and the Bellows Falls Dynasty
Let’s talk about Bellows Falls for a second. These guys are basically the gold standard for Division 3. This year, they didn't just win a title; they made history. By beating Woodstock 54-20 in the championship, Bellows Falls became the first school in Vermont to secure 13 state titles.
The star of the show? Patrick Connors.
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This kid is a human highlight reel. He was named the 2025 MaxPreps Vermont High School Football Player of the Year, and honestly, it wasn't even close. Check out these stats:
- Over 1,500 rushing yards on the season.
- 18 rushing touchdowns.
- Four of those touchdowns came in the championship game alone.
- He even snagged an interception on Woodstock’s opening drive of the final.
Woodstock was actually the team that gave Bellows Falls their only loss earlier in the season—a wild 60-52 double-overtime shootout. Seeing Bellows Falls flip the script and win the rematch by 34 points tells you everything you need to know about their coaching and adjustments.
Why Vermont High School Football Scores Don't Tell the Whole Story
People often overlook the 8-man and 6-man variations that pop up or the co-op teams that have to form just to keep programs alive. Take a look at the BSBHS (Burlington/South Burlington) co-op or the BFA-Fairfax/Lamoille partnership. These programs are fighting uphill battles regarding roster depth, yet they still show up and compete against the established single-town giants.
The Massey Ratings and the VPA standings often highlight the "haves" like Hartford and Middlebury, but the real grit is found in places like Springfield or Mount Anthony, where teams are rebuilding from the ground up. Mount Anthony actually had some of the best individual stat leaders this year, including Jonathan Crossman passing for over 1,000 yards and Asa Reis nearly hitting 1,000 on the ground, even though their team record (3-6) didn't reflect that talent.
Final Standings and Power Rankings (The Top 5)
If we're looking at who truly ruled the state across all divisions by the end of 2025, the consensus from High School Football America and the VPA looks like this:
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1. Middlebury (10-1): The D1 Champs and the undisputed kings of the hill.
2. St. Johnsbury Academy (9-2): A powerhouse that just ran into a defensive buzzsaw at the end.
3. Hartford (9-1): The best team to not win a title this year. That semifinal loss will haunt them all winter.
4. Bellows Falls (10-1): The D3 juggernauts who might actually be able to hang with the D2 top tier.
5. Colchester (8-3): Proved that peaking at the right time is more important than a perfect regular season.
How to Follow the 2026 Season
If you’re planning on keeping up with the action next year, don't just rely on a single source. The VPA (Vermont Principals' Association) website is the official word for brackets, but if you want the "soul" of the game, you've gotta check out the local papers like the Burlington Free Press or follow the "High School On SI" updates.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Parents:
- Download the MaxPreps app: It’s still the most reliable way to get live score alerts if you can't make it to the bleachers.
- Watch the Replays: The NFHS Network usually carries the state championship games. If you missed Middlebury vs. SJA, it’s worth the watch just to see the defensive schemes.
- Check the Eligibility Lists: Keep an eye on the VPA's realignment news. Every couple of years, teams shift divisions based on school enrollment, which can completely change the playoff landscape.
- Support the Boosters: Small-town Vermont football relies on local support. Whether it's buying a burger at the concession stand or helping with travel costs, it makes a difference.
The 2025 season is in the books, but the off-season training is already starting in weight rooms from Brattleboro to Newport.