By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
A couple of powerhouse programs in Vermont will be playing in different divisions in 2025.
The Vermont Interscholastic Football League recently announced that Hartford and Bellows Falls elected against petitioning up again this offseason, resulting in Hartford moving to Division 2, and Bellows Falls heading to Division 3.
Both Bellows Falls and Hartford reached the state semifinals this season and have achieved sustained success in their respective divisions.
After winning the Division 3 state title in 2010, Bellows Falls rejoined Division 2 the following season. The Terriers have consistently been in contention since returning to D-2, reaching the semifinals on 12 occasions and winning two state titles.
Hartford won six Division 1 state titles from 2007-2016 and has continued to be one of the top programs in Vermont in recent seasons.
While seeing a couple of consistently strong teams move down may seem surprising, based on enrollment, Hartford and Bellows Falls are more appropriately placed in their new divisions.
Hartford has a boy count of 225, which places them seventh out of 10 teams in Division 2. With a boy count of 164, Bellows Falls is fifth out of 10 teams in Division 3. Both programs would have had the lowest boy count in their previous divisions.
Hartford last competed in D-2 in 1993 after winning their fourth straight state championship. Bellows Falls spent five seasons in D-3 over two different stints (1993-1995, 2009-2010), winning three state titles in the process.
While Hartford and Bellows Falls will undoubtedly be among the favorites in their new divisions, they will both face plenty of challenges with a combination of games against their current and former divisions.
Bellows Falls will compete in the Mountain League, which features Division 2 foes Fair Haven, Lyndon, Mt. Mansfield, North Country, and U-32. The Terriers will also have the tall task of taking on Woodstock, who cruised to an undefeated campaign that culminated in a 65-14 victory over Otter Valley in the D-3 state finals.
Hartford will continue to square-off against Division 1 rivals Rutland, Middlebury, Burr & Burton, Mount Anthony, and Brattleboro in the Southern Vermont League. The Hurricanes can also expect to face stiff competition in D-2 from Fair Haven, Colchester, Rice and Lyndon.
Mount Abraham was the only other school to change divisions, moving down from D-2 to D-3 after posting a 5-4 record.
2025 Division Alignment
Division 1: Essex, CVU, Burlington/South Burlington, BFA-St. Albans, Mt. Anthony, St. Johnsbury, Brattleboro, Rutland, Burr & Burton, Middlebury
Division 2: Colchester, Mount Mansfield, North Country, Spaulding, U-32, Milton, Hartford, Rice, Lyndon, Fair Haven
Division 3: Missisquoi, Springfield, Mount Abraham, Woodstock, Bellows Falls, Otter Valley, BFA-Fairfax, Windsor, Mill River, Poultney
