Football Game Preview: St. Johnsbury Academy Hilltoppers vs. Lyndon Institute Vikings

St. Johnsbury Academy is 9-1 against Lyndon Institute since October of 2016 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Saturday. The Hilltoppers are taking a road trip to square off against the Vikings at 1:00 p.m. After the two teams made easy work of their previous opponents, one won't be so lucky on Saturday.

St. Johnsbury Academy is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Vermont's top teams: Champlain Valley Union, who was ranked tenth at the time (St. Johnsbury Academy was ranked third). The Hilltoppers breezed past the Redhawks to the tune of 44-7 on Friday. The win was nothing new for the Hilltoppers as they're now sitting on three straight.

Maddox McFarland

Passing Yards

10/17/25 vs Champlain Valley Union	108
10/11/24 vs Colchester	5
09/13/24 vs Bellows Free Academy	186

St. Johnsbury Academy's success was spearheaded by the efforts of Maddox McFarland, who rushed for 107 yards and a pair of touchdowns on only 15 carries, and Vincent Palmieri, who gained 126 total yards. What's more, McFarland racked up 108 passing yards, the most he's had since back in September of 2024.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: St. Johnsbury Academy was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 223 rushing yards. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Champlain Valley Union didn't rushed for any.

Meanwhile, Lyndon Institute was fully in charge on Friday, breezing past North Country Union 43-8. That 35 point margin sets a new team best for the Vikings this season.

St. Johnsbury Academy's record is now 6-1. As for Lyndon Institute, their record now sits at an identical 6-1.

Everything went St. Johnsbury Academy's way against Lyndon Institute in their previous meeting back in October of 2024, as St. Johnsbury Academy made off with a 33-7 victory. Do the Hilltoppers have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Vikings turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.