By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
This week features the first week of regular season play in New Hampshire, while Vermont enters its second week of competition. Locally, we have a couple of major rivalries on the schedule with Springfield hosting Windsor and Fall Mountain traveling to Stevens. Both games appear to have the potential to go either way, so look for an exciting slate of local games this weekend.
Windsor (0-1) at Springfield (1-0): Friday, 7 p.m.
Springfield opened the season with a 35-6 victory over Missisquoi Valley, a result which many expected following Springfield’s run to the semifinals last season. Despite being the three-time defending state champions in Division 3, Windsor dropped a 55-0 contest to perennial Division 2 powerhouse Fair Haven to open the season.
After graduating a strong senior class, Windsor appears to be in the process of finding its identity. Windsor dominated Springfield last season in the regular season (32-6) and the playoffs (45-15), but they will need to execute better this week if they hope to defeat an up-and-coming Cosmos squad.
Fall Mountain at Stevens: Friday, 7 p.m.
The 3rd Annual Silva Bowl will be on the line when Fall Mountain travels to Barnes Park to face Stevens. Fall Mountain won last season’s contest, 27-16, but with both teams experiencing significant losses to graduation, it’s difficult to predict how this game will unfold.
Stevens will feature a different look offensively following the loss of Tank Christian. Expect a more balanced attack for the Cardinals this season, led by running back Zach Richardson, quarterback Karson Thyne, wide receiver Karter Thyne, and tight end Maddox Foster. Fall Mountain lost almost all of its playmakers from a season ago, but Tyson Patch returns at tight end, Finnegan Brodeur steps in at running back, and Max Wyman will look to fill Eric Franklin Jr.’s shoes at quarterback.
Bellows Falls (0-1) at U-32 (1-0): Friday, 7 p.m.
U-32 put on an impressive display in week one, dominating the defending Division 2 State Champions North Country, 40-8. Aiden Boyd was a workhorse for the Raiders, carrying the ball 26 times for 190 yards and a touchdown.
Bellows Falls has a couple workhorses of its own with senior Carson Clark and junior Patrick Conners, who combined for 165 yards rushing against Lyndon.
After falling just short in their season-opener, look for an eager Terriers team to take the field this week in East Montpelier.
Inter-lakes at Kearsarge: Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Kearsarge looks to rebound this season after a winless campaign which featured five forfeits last fall. First-year Head Coach Mike Jensen has a tough task in week one, facing an Inter-lakes team that reached the Division 3 semifinals last season. While Kearsarge will likely struggle in this contest, it will be good preparation for upcoming games against Fall Mountain (Sept. 13) and Stevens (Sept. 21).
