By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
Stevens (1-0) at Newport (0-0): Saturday at 2 p.m.
With Newport joining Stevens in Division 3 this fall, the neighboring schools will square-off on the gridiron for the first time since 2020. Stevens opened the season with an impressive showing, earning a 40-8 victory over Fall Mountain. Newport had the week off from competition, but after three finals appearances in the past four years in Division 4, look for the Tigers to be up to the challenge in a highly anticipated matchup.
Predicted winner: Newport
Kearsarge (0-1) at Fall Mountain (0-1): Friday at 7 p.m.
Fall Mountain and Kearsarge both fell by considerable margins in their season-openers, but they will have the chance to bounce back when they square-off in Langdon on Friday. The Wildcats dominated Kearsarge last fall, 27-6, but they will need to establish their identity offensively if they hope to defeat the Cougars again this season.
Predicted winner: Fall Mountain
North Country (0-2) at Bellows Falls (1-1): Friday at 7 p.m.
After dropping a nailbiter to Lyndon to open the season, Bellows Falls rebounded to earn a 33-13 victory over U-32. Despite winning the Division 2 State Championship last season, North Country has suffered blowout losses to U-32 and Fair Haven to open the season. Look for Bellows Falls to exact revenge in this matchup after falling to North Country in last season’s semifinal contest.
Predicted winner: Bellows Falls
Springfield (2-0) at Woodstock (2-0): Thursday at 6 p.m.
Springfield earned a huge win for the program by defeating Windsor last week, and they have another marquee matchup on Thursday night against an undefeated Woodstock team. Springfield’s rushing attack featuring Josiah Martinez, Cam Williams and Dmitri Jasinski has been electric to start the season, so you can be sure Woodstock will spend ample time planning how to stop the Cosmos trio.
Predicted winner: Woodstock
Windsor (0-2) at Mill River (0-2): Saturday, at 1 p.m.
After a tough loss against Fair Haven to open the season, Windsor had a better showing in a close loss to Springfield. Windsor heads to Mill River this week to face another team looking for its first win of the season. The Yellow Jackets will need to establish the run with backfield duo Gavin Martin and Justin Draper if they hope to return home victorious.
Predicted winner: Windsor
