Middlebury (Vt.) vs. South Burlington (Vt.)What to watch: Saturday's Vermont Division I championship game is a rematch of teams ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in the state rankings all season long and features two of the top running backs in the Green Mountain State.
According to the Burlington Free Press, Middlebury senior
Jakob Trautwein ran for 223 yards and four touchdowns to lead a 42-20 win over South Burlington on Oct. 11. Senior
Tanner Contois had more than 300 combined rushing and receiving yards and one score for South Burlington. The Rebels are the only opponent Middlebury (10-0) has allowed to score more than seven points all season. The Tigers' cumulative scoring is 370-64. South Burlington (9-1) can also be confident in its defense. It has three shutouts this season -- including against each of its first two playoff opponents.
Just the facts: Both teams have won exactly eight state championships in their football histories. South Burlington is trying to hoist its first championship trophy since 2005 and finish with 10 wins for the first time since 2006. Middlebury hopes to finish in the winner's circle for the first time since 2002. … This will be the fifth time these teams have played since 2007. South Burlington's defeat of Middlebury during the regular season evened up the recent series at 2-2.
Mitch Stephens: Middlebury 35, South Burlington 21
Kevin Askeland: Middlebury 24, South Burlington 21
Jamie DeMoney: Middlebury 26, South Burlington 20
Stephen Spiewak: Middlebury 30, South Burlington 20
Leland Gordon: Middlebury 27, South Burlington 14
Colin Ward-Henninger: South Burlington 28, Middlebury 27
Jamie DeMoney is in his 20th season covering high school sports and recruiting. He is a Regional Content Manager and Product Specialist for XOS Digital and compiles the National Prep Poll for World Features Syndicate.
