As football kickoff inches closer around the country, MaxPreps forecasts the top five teams in the state of Vermont for the 2009 season.
1. Hartford
The two-time defending state champions have been hurt by graduation, losing four all-state players including Gatorade state player of the Year Mick Wong at running back. However it is usually unwise to bet against an established program, especially one that has won 16 straight games and was barely challenged en route to last year’s state title. The cupboard is not completely bare for coach Michael Stone and his Hurricanes. All-conference fullback Pete Crosby returns along with all-conference lineman Seth Bell. The Hurricanes graduated 22 seniors following the championship season of 2007 and still went undefeated in 2008.
2. Mt. Mansfield
With Spaulding moving up to Division 1 this year, Mt. Mansfield takes over as the favorite in Division 2. The Cougars handed Spaulding its only loss last year and returns nine starters on offense and defense from a team that went 8-3 overall. The Cougars should be solid in the backfield where Ben Dolan (6-1, 180) returns at quarterback along with all-division running back Ian Shaw. The line will also be a strength this year with the likes of Ethan Blum (5-11, 210) and Tucker White, both of whom earned all-division honors last season. The defense is led by all-division defensive back Jamie Wright. Mt. Mansfield has reached the state championship game each of the past three seasons but is still searching for its first state crown.
3. Spaulding
The Division 2 champions make the move to Division 1 this year and have just the player to lead the way. Quarterback Zach Dessureau was the Division 2 first team signal caller last year and threw for 2,111 yards as a sophomore, leading Spaulding to state titles in both seasons. The Crimson Tide have 16 returning letterman from last year’s squad that went 10-1 with the only loss coming during the regular season to Mt. Mansfield. The Crimson Tide will meet Hartford on the final game of the regular season on Oct. 31 in a matchup between last year’s Div. 1 and Div. 2 state champions.
4. Essex
No team in Vermont has a higher number of returning all-division players than the Hornets, who went 7-3 last year before falling to Rutland in the first round of the playoffs. Essex should have the state’s top receiving corps with all-division QB Max Librizzi throwing to all-state receiver honorees Evan McCrea and Pat Nee. The defense should also be outstanding with all-division winners Max Reinecke (DL), Johnny Joseph (DL), Taylor Amato (LB), Pete Shaw (LB), David Valley (DB) and Kevin Jenko (DB) all expected to return.
5. Rutland
Of Rutland’s three losses last year (8-3), two came against undefeated Hartford including a 26-14 defeat in the state championship game. While there will be more competition to return to the state final this year now that Spaulding has moved into the division, the Raiders still figure to be one of the top contenders. Rutland will have good team speed, led by all-state return man Rick Lantman. All-division players Leo Cohen (TE), Jon Sullivan (LB) and Andrew Borkowski (OL) are among the 11 starters coach Mike Norman has returning on offense and defense combined. Rutland will have to find players to fill in the skill positions as the team’s top quarterback and running back have graduated.
