CASTLETON, Vt. — The Board of Governors of the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl, at their October meeting, voted to hold the 65th Annual Bowl Game at Castleton University. The game will be played Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018 with the spectacular parade at 3 p.m. followed by the football game at 5:30 p.m.
The decision to host the game at Castleton for the fourth straight year was a direct result of the successful experience of the past three games. The goal of the game is to provide funding to support Shriners Hospitals for Children.
The contributions from the 2017 game again exceeded those of the past several years combined. With further enhancements anticipated for the 2018 game, expectations are high that we can do even better.
President Dave Wolk stated, “We are delighted that Castleton will once again be hosting the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl this year. Last year’s parade and game were excellent examples of the Rutland Region coming together with the University to embrace such a wonderful cause, supporting both the philanthropy of the Shriners and the efforts of the student-athletes.”
“We promise yet another fantastic experience for players, their families, fans, coaches, and Shriners in 2018. It has been wonderful to host Shrine players and coaches from both Vermont and New Hampshire for the past three years during their training camps, and we now hope that the parade and game have found their permanent home on our beautiful campus and in the Rutland Region,” a spokesperson said.
Dartmouth was home to the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl from 1958 to 2014, with the exception of seven years: 1967 when the game was played at UVM, 1968 at UNH, 2006 at Plymouth State and 2009-2011 at Windsor High School followed by Castleton in 2015. All of these moves were the result of stadium renovations.
The Maple Sugar Bowl Board of Governor’s review of the past three years, revenue and expenses at Castleton is the main reason for maintaining our relationship with Castleton University for the 2018 game.
Attendance for the past three years have exceeded 4,000 spectators and hosting the game at the same venue as the training camp proved to be very beneficial. The beautiful Castleton University Spartan Stadium, their staff and support help also contributed to the success of the game.
Arguably the Dartmouth venue is the most central and ideal location for all players from the Twin State Region. With the game location being the same as the week-long training camp, expenses were substantially reduced.
The experience of the parade ending at the stadium and main parking lots, proved to be very successful and the air was electric with energy leading up to the game. The Board of Governors will continue to look at all options for extending this historic and traditional game into the future.
Shriners Hospitals for Children, the world’s greatest philanthropy, are located in 22 locations around the U.S., Montreal Quebec, Canada, and Mexico City. Their patients travel from various distant locations to receive their world renowned care. Shriners Hospitals asks that everyone understand the economic strength of the 2015 game and can accept the sacrifice of the additional travel distance to the south western Vermont venue in support of their patients.
The game brings together some of the finest high school football players in Vermont and New Hampshire.
SHRINE GAME FACTS
First game held on Labor Day in 1954 in Nashua.
2017 Score—Vermont 19, New Hampshire 0
Overall Series—47-15-2 in favor of New Hampshire
Sponsoring Shrine Centers—Cairo, Rutland, Vt., Sinai, Montpelier, Vt.
Raised —$4.5 million in the first 64 years
There are 19 Orthopaedic Hospitals for children and three Shrine Burns Institutes. The care received is about the best in the world and it is at no cost. Any child up to the age of 18 is admitted without regards to race, color or creed.
Teams representing New Hampshire and Vermont have 36 players each.
Players are 2018 High School Graduates.
Vermont Head Coach—Greg Balch, Windsor High School
New Hampshire Head Coach—Patrick Riberdy, Winnisquam High School
In each state, players are nominated by their high school head coach and screening committees of eight coaches chaired by the Shrine head coaches select the teams. No more than two players can be selected from a New Hampshire School and there must be 12 from each Division. No more than four players can be selected from a Vermont School with 18 from Division 1, 12 from Division II and 6 from Division III.
SHRINE GAME RECORDS
TEAM
Most Points Scored: 2012 – NH: 62 points
2016 – VT: 50 points
Most Points Combined: 2000 – 87 points
Most First Downs: 1970 – NH: 24
2000/2004 – VT 24
Fewest First Downs: 1954/1975/1977- NH: 6
1981 – VT: 1
Most Yards Gained Rushing: 2011 – NH: 421
Most Yards Gained Passing: 2000- VT: 352
Most Total Yards (Rushing & Passing): 2000- NH: 533
*Most Passes Attempted: 2010- VT: 55
Accomplished in four 12 minute quarters
Most Passes Completed: 2000- VT: 30
INDIVIDUAL
Most Yards Gained Rushing: Max Jacques, Salem 2011 – 248
Most Yards Gained Receiving: Kyle Gaudet, Gilford 2015 – 190 (5 receptions)
Most Passes Caught: David Faulkner, Lebanon 1967 – 8
Most Touchdown Passes Thrown: Michael Keenan, Mt. St. Joseph 2000 – 6
Most Passes Thrown: Michael Keenan, Mt. St. Joseph 2000 – 49
Most Yards Gained Passing: Michael Keenan, Mt. St. Joseph 2000 – 352
Most Extra Points Made: Dan Gorman, Hanover 2012 – 8
Longest Punt: Duane Holmquist, Brattleboro, 1968 – 70
Longest Interception returned for TD: Kyle McAulfee, Plymouth, 2010 – 90
Longest Touchdown Run: Thomas Scherwerts, Newport ,1962 – 82
Longest Touchdown Pass: C. Discesare to K. Gaudet – Portsmouth & Gilford, 2015 – 90
Longest Pass Play: C. Discesare to K. Gaudet – Portsmouth & Gilford, 2015 – 90
Longest Punt Return for T.D.: Montrez Payton – Salem, 1999 – 65
Longest Field Goal: Tyler Ford, Souhegan, 2013 – 42
Highest Punting Average (3 or more punts):
5 for a 43 yd avg. Duane Holmquist, Brattleboro – 1968
Longest Kick-off Return for TD:
95 – Robert Rossiter, Newport, NH 1967
92 Mark Rebeiro, Merrimack 1995
Most Touchdowns Scored:
3 —Steve Schubert, Manchester Central 1969
3—Les Wolfgram, Manchester West 1970
3—Rick Brodowski, Mt. St. Joseph 1971
3—Ryan Lacass, Mt. Anthony 1995
3—Brian Holmes, Newport 1997
3—Willey Kinley, Burlington 2000
3—Michael Boyle, Plymouth 2004
3—Max Jacques, Salem 2011 (in 48 min game)
3—Jerickson Fedrick, Salem 2012
3—Kyle Gaudet, Gilford 2015
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