D3 Dominates Last Day of Regular Season

It was an exciting day of competition in Division III Vermont high school football Saturday, with two thrillers and a shocker.

The headline game pitted league leaders Windsor and Woodstock against each other, and it lived up to the hype with Windsor escaping with a 12-9 victory in overtime. That gives the Wasps the top seed.

The matchup of 1-5 teams was a great one, too, and Springfield earned a 30-28 victory over Poultney/MSJ. The matchup decided the fifth seed, with the Cosmos earning a trip to BFA-Fairfax in the quarterfinals.

But the biggest news of the day probably came from Swanton, where Missisquoi shocked Fairfax 54-24. It was the first varsity win for the Thunderbirds in their second varsity season, and they were rewarded. MVU earns enough points to edge Poultney/MSJ for the sixth seed, meaning they avoid a first-round trip to Woodstock.

Elsewhere, Middlebury ran past CVU to lock up the fifth seed in Division I. The loss leaves CVU and Colchester tied for seventh and eighth, and since the Lakers won head to head, they should get the seventh spot.

Also, kudos to Spaulding for giving high-flying Milton all it could handle in a 36-30 loss Saturday night that decided the final playoff spot in Division II. The Crimson Tide (1-6) would have sneaked in with a victory but instead it's North Country that will get the eighth seed and the unenviable task of trying to knock off Burr and Burton.

Anyway, here are the final unofficial QPR standings as I see them:

Division I

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams are ignored)

1. St. Johnsbury (8-0 overall, 7-0 D1), 135 points, 16.88 QPR
2. Hartford (7-1 overall, 7-1 D1), 116 points, 14.5 QPR
3. Burlington (7-1 overall, 6-1 D1), 113 points, 14.13 QPR
4. BFA-St. Albans (6-2 overall, 6-2 D1), 96 points, 12 QPR
5. Middlebury (5-3 overall, 5-2 D1), 84 points, 10.5 QPR
6. Mt. Mansfield (5-3 overall, 4-3 D1), 69 points, 8.63 QPR
7T. Colchester (3-5 overall, 3-4 D1), 42 points, 5.25 QPR (Colchester won head to head)
7T. CVU (3-5 overall, 3-5 D1), 42 points, 5.25 QPR
9. Rutland (3-5 overall, 3-5 D1), 38 points, 4.75 QPR
10. Rice (2-6 overall, 2-6 D1), 26 points, 3.25 QPR
11. South Burlington (2-6 overall, 1-6 D1), 25 points, 3.13 QPR
12. Essex (1-7 overall, 1-7 D1), 16 points, 2 QPR
13. Brattleboro (1-7 overall, 0-6 D1), 13 points, 1.63 QPR

Division II

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams are ignored)

1. Burr and Burton (7-1 overall, 6-0 D2), 118 points, 14.75 QPR
2. Fair Haven (7-1 overall, 6-1 D2), 85 points, 10.63 QPR
3. Milton (7-1 overall, 6-1 D2), 82 points, 10.25 QPR
4. Bellows Falls (6-2 overall, 4-2 D2), 61 points, 7.63 QPR
5. Lyndon (4-4 overall, 3-3 D2), 40 points, 5 QPR
6. U-32 (4-4 overall, 4-4 D2), 38 points, 4.75 QPR
7. Mt. Anthony (3-5 overall, 3-5 D2), 35 points, 4.38 QPR
8. North Country (3-5 overall, 3-4 D2), 25 points, 3.13 QPR
9. Spaulding (1-6 overall, 0-6 D2), 7 points, 1 QPR
10. Mt. Abraham (1-7 overall, 1-6 D2), 7 points, 0.88 QPR
11. Otter Valley (0-8 overall, 0-7 D2), 0 points, 0 QPR

Division III

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams, including losses for Woodstock, Missisquoi and Springfield, are ignored)

1. Windsor (7-0 overall, 6-0 D3), 73 points, 10.43 QPR
2. Woodstock (6-2* overall, 5-1 D3), 62 points, 8.86 QPR
3. Mill River (5-2 overall, 4-2 D3), 39 points, 5.57 QPR
4. BFA-Fairfax (2-5 overall, 2-4 D3), 16 points, 2.29 QPR
5. Springfield (2-6* overall, 2-4 D3), 14 points, 2 QPR
6. Missisquoi (1-6* overall, 1-5 D3), 9 points, 1.29 QPR
7. Poultney/MSJ (1-6 overall, 1-5 D3), 7 points, 1 QPR



How do these numbers work? Teams receive 10 points for a win over a D1 opponent, 7 points for a win over a D2 opponent and 5 points for a win over a D3 opponent. Teams also receive 2 points for every game won by the teams they have beaten. QPR is total points divided by games played.

CVU and Colchester are in, last D2 spot to be decided

Congratulations to Colchester and CVU for wrapping up the last two places in the Vermont high school football Division I playoffs Friday night.

With those two teams in, there is just one berth to be decided in the postseason -- the eighth seed in Division II. North Country currently holds the spot after defeating Otter Valley on Friday night, but despite a 1-5 record, Spaulding controls its own destiny as it plays host to Milton on Saturday night.

An upset win would give the Crimson Tide at least 24 points (they could gain two extra points if Missisquoi beats BFA-Fairfax) from their seven games for a 3.43 QPR to NCU's 27 points from eight games for a 3.38 QPR.

Meanwhile, there is still seeding to play for in Division I and III on Saturday, with three games -- Middlebury at CVU, Woodstock at Windsor, and Poultney/MSJ at Springfield -- being of particular impact.

Anyway, here are the QPR standings heading into the final day of the regular season.

Division I

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams are ignored)

1. St. Johnsbury (7-0 overall, 7-0 D1), 118 points, 16.86 QPR
2. Hartford (7-1 overall, 7-1 D1), 114 points, 14.25 QPR
3. Burlington (7-1 overall, 6-1 D1), 113 points, 14.13 QPR
4. BFA-St. Albans (6-2 overall, 6-2 D1), 96 points, 12 QPR
5. Middlebury (4-3 overall, 4-2 D1), 68 points, 9.71 QPR
6. Mt. Mansfield (5-3 overall, 4-3 D1), 69 points, 8.63 QPR
7. CVU (3-4 overall, 3-4 D1), 42 points, 6 QPR
8. Colchester (3-5 overall, 3-5 D1), 42 points, 5.25 QPR
9. Rutland (3-5 overall, 3-5 D1), 38 points, 4.75 QPR
10. Rice (2-6 overall, 2-6 D1), 26 points, 3.25 QPR
11. South Burlington (2-6 overall, 1-6 D1), 25 points, 3.13 QPR
12. Essex (1-7 overall, 1-7 D1), 16 points, 2 QPR
13. Brattleboro (1-7 overall, 0-6 D1), 13 points, 1.63 QPR

Division II

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams are ignored)

1. Burr and Burton (7-1 overall, 6-0 D2), 114 points, 14.25 QPR
2. Fair Haven (7-1 overall, 6-1 D2), 85 points, 10.63 QPR
3. Milton (6-1 overall, 5-1 D2), 73 points, 10.43 QPR
4. Bellows Falls (6-2 overall, 4-2 D2), 59 points, 7.38 QPR
5. Lyndon (4-3 overall, 3-3 D2), 40 points, 5.71 QPR
6. U-32 (4-4 overall, 4-4 D2), 38 points, 4.75 QPR
7. Mt. Anthony (3-5 overall, 3-5 D2), 35 points, 4.38 QPR
8. North Country (3-5 overall, 3-4 D2), 25 points, 3.13 QPR
9. Mt. Abraham (1-7 overall, 1-6 D2), 7 points, 0.88 QPR
10. Spaulding (1-5 overall, 0-5 D2), 5 points, 0.83 QPR
11. Otter Valley (0-8 overall, 0-7 D2), 0 points, 0 QPR

Division III

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams, including losses for Woodstock, Missisquoi and Springfield, are ignored)

1. Woodstock (6-1* overall, 5-0 D3), 58 points, 9.67 QPR
2. Windsor (6-0 overall, 5-0 D3), 52 points, 8.67 QPR
3. Mill River (5-2 overall, 4-2 D3), 35 points, 5 QPR
4. BFA-Fairfax (2-4 overall, 2-3 D3), 14 points, 2.33 QPR
5T. Poultney/MSJ (1-5 overall, 1-4 D3), 5 points, 0.83 QPR
5T. Springfield (1-6* overall, 1-4 D3), 5 points, 0.83 QPR
7. Missisquoi (0-6* overall, 0-5 D3), 0 points, 0 QPR



How do these numbers work? Teams receive 10 points for a win over a D1 opponent, 7 points for a win over a D2 opponent and 5 points for a win over a D3 opponent. Teams also receive 2 points for every game won by the teams they have beaten. QPR is total points divided by games played.

Division II and III Playoff Scenarios

First of all, to answer a question Hoss Cartwright, eight teams make the playoffs in each division in Vermont high school football. Since there are only seven teams in Division III, everyone gets in. Teams must qualify in D1 and D2.

With that in mind, here are the Division II  and Division III playoff scenarios entering the final week as I see them. Please keep in mind these are unofficial. But I'm pretty confident in my numbers.

Division II

• Burr and Burton (6-1): Has clinched the top seed.
  
  
• Fair Haven (6-1): Will be the second or third seed.
  • Locks up the #2 spot with a victory over Mt. Abraham.
  • Falls to third with a loss if Milton wins.
    
    
• Milton (6-1): Also locked into either the second or third position.
  • Can only claim the second seed with a win and a Fair Haven loss.
  • Is third in any other situation that I can see. Best case for the Jackets if both they and FHU win leaves the Slaters 1 point ahead.
    
    
• Bellows Falls (5-2): Will finish somewhere between fourth and seven.
  • Claims 4^th win a win over U-32 unless Lyndon beats St. Johnsbury.
  • With a win, the Terriers can still finish 4^th even if LI wins assuming Otter Valley beats NCU and at least two of Brattleboro, Springfield and Missisquoi also prevail.
  • Definitely falls behind U-32 with a loss and would almost certainly also be passed by Lyndon and Mt. Anthony if either of them pulls an upset.
    
    
• Lyndon (4-3): Pretty much in the same boat as Bellows Falls, with a potential range of position from 4 to 7.
  • Almost certainly finishes 4^th if it can shock St. J in The Game.
  • The Vikings will finish behind Bellows Falls unless they win so LI's best case in a loss is 5^th.
  • An LI loss opens the door for U-32 and Mt. Anthony to move up if they win.
    
    
• U-32 (4-3): Ditto. Will place between 4^th and 7^th.
  • Will finish 4^th with a win unless Lyndon also wins.
  • Would likely slip to sixth even with a victory if Lyndon and Mt. Anthony both win.
  • Best case scenario in a loss is a tie for 5^th with LI if Otter Valley wins and Fairfax loses in other games. This tie could also be for 6^th if Mt. Anthony wins.
  • Will finish ahead of Mt. Anthony unless MAU wins. 
    
    
• Mt. Anthony (3-4): Has clinched a playoff berth but can be no higher than the 5^th seed.
  • Earns the 7^th seed unless it defeats Burr and Burton.
  • With a win, definitely passes U-32 and LI if those schools lose.
  • Also passes BF with a win if the Terriers lose unless at least 4 of Otter Valley, Spaulding, Mt. Abraham, Brattleboro and Springfield also win.
  • Can only move ahead of a victorious U-32 if Lyndon also wins, which would leave LI 4^th, MAU 5^th and U-32 6^th.
    
    
• North Country (2-5): The Falcons can't move up, but the 8^th seed is theirs barring a major upset.
  • NCU is definitely in unless either Mt. Abraham beats Fair Haven or Spaulding beats Milton.
  • If the Falcons beat winless Otter Valley they eliminate Mt. Abraham from playoff contention.
    
    
• Mt. Abraham (1-6): A playoff spot is possible but the Eagles need help.
  • To have any chance MAU must stun Fair Haven. They also need Otter Valley to beat NCU and for either Spaulding to lose or for Fairfax to top Missisquoi.
    
    
• Spaulding (1-5): Despite being 10^th in the current standings the Tide almost control their own destiny for a postseason berth.
  • SHS' chances ride on beating Milton, so it's not going to be easy. If they do win, however, the Tide are helped by the fact they played one fewer game and the QPR is decided by points per game rather than total points.
  • While Spaulding can't catch North Country in total points if both teams win, SHS would move fractionally ahead on QPR excluding other results. In that case the Tide will be in unless Mt. Abraham (which NCU beat) wins and Missisquoi (which SHS beat) loses.
  • Spaulding definitely makes the playoffs with a win if North Country and Mt. Abraham lose.
    
    
• Otter Valley (0-7): Has been eliminated from playoff contention.

Division III

With only three games remaining, the D-III situation is pretty simple.

• The winner of the Woodstock (6-1) at Windsor (6-0) matchup Saturday earns the top seed and a first-round bye while the runner up will be second.
• Mill River (5-2) has a bye in Week 8 and is locked into third place.
• Since it beat both the teams immediately behind it, BFA-Fairfax (2-4) will be the #4 regardless of its result against Missisquoi.
• The winner of Saturday's game between Poultney/MSJ (1-5) and Springfield (1-5) gets the fifth seed.
• Missisquoi (0-7) would pass the loser of the loser of the P/MSJ vs Springfield game with a win. Otherwise it will be the seventh seed.

The Division I high school playoff picture

I've run the numbers and here are the playoff scenarios for Vermont Division I high school football as best as I can tell. Please note these are based on unofficial numbers and a lack certainty about the tiebreaker system.

• St. Johnsbury: Has clinched the top seed, even if it loses to Lyndon.
  
  
• Hartford: Can be no worse than the third seed. Could be #2 with a loss if Burlington also loses.
  
  
• Burlington: Will be home for the quarterfinals as the 2, 3 or 4 seed.
  • If Burlington and Hartford both win Friday, HHS will hold a 1 point lead in the standings barring other results. BHS would need the number of wins for CVU, SBHS and BBA to be greater than the number of wins for BFA and Middlebury to finish 2^nd.
    
    
• BFA-St. Albans: Best case is third. Worst case is fifth.
  • Would pass Burlington with a win and a BHS loss assuming Colchester beats Bratt.
  • Could finish no worse than fourth win a win.
  • Places fourth with a loss if CVU beats Middlebury.
    
    
• Middlebury: Will finish somewhere between fourth and sixth.
  • Passes BFA for 4^th with a win, a BFA loss and wins for either Burlington or Essex.
  • A tie with BFA for fourth is possible if Midd wins, BFA loses and Rutland and Hartford also win. After the confusion last year, I'm not going to speculate on this tiebreaker.
  • Mt. Mansfield is the only team that can pass Middlebury in the current standings, even if the Tigers lose to CVU.
    
    
• Mt. Mansfield: Has clinched a playoff berth and could finish as high as fifth.
  • Would take fifth place with a win and a Middlebury loss if two of Hartford, Brattleboro and North Country win in Week 8.
  • Will finish no worse than sixth with a win.
  • A loss opens the door to slip as far as eighth.
    
    
• CVU: Could end up as high sixth or miss the playoffs.
  • Clinches at least the seventh seed with a win over Middlebury.
  • Makes the postseason with a loss unless at least two of Colchester, Rice and South Burlington score victories.
  • Since CVU beat Rutland, an RHS win over Burlington gives CVU two extra points and makes it more difficult for others to pass the Redhawks. CVU almost certainly finishes eighth with a loss in this scenario unless Rice beats BFA.
    
    
• Rutland: Like CVU, the Raiders can finish as high as sixth. But the head-to-head loss means Rutland has much less room for error.
  • If the Raiders beat Burlington, they clinch a playoff berth. They would also pass CVU and/or MMU if those teams lose.
  • Rutland could still make it with a loss, but only if Colchester, Rice and South Burlington all lose.
    
    
• Colchester: The Lakers need to win and get all kinds of help to make the playoffs. But with the schedule in their favor, the seventh seed is entirely possible.
  • The best case scenario for CHS is a win over Brattleboro and loses for CVU, Rutland, Rice, Essex and Mt. Anthony. That would leave the Lakers and the Redhawks tied with 42 points and Colchester would presumably get the seventh seed thanks to its head-to-head win.
  • That tiebreaker could also give the Lakers eighth over CVU if Rice or South Burlington pull an upset.
  • Colchester could finish eighth behind a winning CVU if all the other teams still in the hunt fall.
  • A Rutland win eliminates Colchester.
    
    
• Rice: It would take the biggest surprise of the season to date. But get that upset and Green Knights have an excellent chance of getting in.
  • A win at BFA would be worth a whopping 20 points to Rice, enough to assure it finishes ahead of Colchester and South Burlington. That means losses for either Rutland or CVU would put the Green Knights in the playoffs.
  • RMHS climbs to seventh with a win if both Rutland and CVU fall.
    
    
• South Burlington: A win over MMU gives the Wolves a chance at a playoff spot, though they will need considerable help.
  • The most probable postseason shot is for SBHS to win and have Rutland, Colchester and Rice lose, likely leaving SB eighth behind CVU.
  • A victorious SBHS could pass CVU and finish seventh if the Redhawks lose and Mt. Anthony shocks Burr and Burton.
  • Again a Rutland win eliminates SBHS because of the two extra points it gives to CVU.
    
    
• Essex and Brattleboro have been eliminated from playoff contention.
  
  I will try to follow up with Division II and III playoff scenarios either tomorrow or Monday.

NCU might have been Saturday's biggest winner

Saturday's games moved us to within one week of the end of the Vermont high school football regular season, and for the most part it was a good day for the favorites as St. Johnsbury, Hartford, Windsor and Lyndon strengthened their positions.

The day's best game saw Division III Mill River nip winless D-II team Otter Valley, 35-33. The win sends the Minutemen (5-2) in the playoffs on a high as they have a bye in Week 8, but the real winner of this result was North Country. Otter Valley's loss means it can't catch NCU in the standings when the Falcons visit Brandon next week, so barring a major upset -- Spaulding over Milton or Mt. Abraham over Fair Haven -- North Country will be in the Division II playoffs.

Saturday's other interesting game was the South Burlington showdown, and Rice overpowered SBHS 33-13. Mirroring their 2016 season, the Green Knights (2-5) have picked up their play down the stretch but it will need to pull a big upset in Week 8 -- they go to BFA -- to have a shot at a playoff spot.

The Wolves (2-5), meanwhile, have seen a season that started promisingly falter with losses five of the last six weeks. But they, too, could be playing in the playoffs if they can knock off MMU in the final.

I'll post more detailed playoff scenarios in the coming days. In the interim, here are the QPRs through Week 7:

Division I

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams are ignored)

1. St. Johnsbury (7-0 overall, 7-0 D1), 114 points, 16.29 QPR
2. Hartford (6-1 overall, 6-1 D1), 98 points, 14 QPR
3. Burlington (6-1 overall, 5-1 D1), 93 points, 13.29 QPR
4. BFA-St. Albans (5-2 overall, 5-2 D1), 78 points, 11.14 QPR
5. Middlebury (4-3 overall, 4-2 D1), 64 points, 9.14 QPR
6. Mt. Mansfield (4-3 overall, 3-3 D1), 51 points, 7.2 QPR
7. CVU (3-4 overall, 3-4 D1), 42 points, 6 QPR
8. Rutland (3-4 overall, 3-4 D1), 38 points, 5.43 QPR
9. Colchester (2-5 overall, 2-5 D1), 30 points, 4.29 QPR
10. Rice (2-5 overall, 2-5 D1), 26 points, 3.71 QPR
11. South Burlington (2-5 overall, 1-5 D1), 25 points, 3.57 QPR
12. Essex (1-6 overall, 1-6 D1), 14 points, 2 QPR
13. Brattleboro (1-6 overall, 0-5 D1), 13 points, 1.86 QPR

Division II

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams are ignored)

1. Burr and Burton (6-1 overall, 5-0 D2), 97 points, 13.86 QPR
2. Fair Haven (6-1 overall, 5-1 D2), 74 points, 10.57 QPR
3. Milton (6-1 overall, 5-1 D2), 69 points, 9.86 QPR
4. Bellows Falls (5-2 overall, 3-2 D2), 44 points, 6.29 QPR
5. Lyndon (4-3 overall, 3-3 D2), 38 points, 5.43 QPR
6. U-32 (4-3 overall, 4-3 D2), 36 points, 5.14 QPR
7. Mt. Anthony (3-4 overall, 3-4 D2), 33 points, 4.71 QPR
8. North Country (2-5 overall, 2-4 D2), 18 points, 2.57 QPR
9. Mt. Abraham (1-6 overall, 1-5 D2), 7 points, 1 QPR
10. Spaulding (1-5 overall, 0-5 D2), 5 points, 0.83 QPR
11. Otter Valley (0-7 overall, 0-7 D2), 0 points, 0 QPR

Division III

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams, including losses for Woodstock, Missisquoi and Springfield, are ignored)

1. Woodstock (6-1* overall, 5-0 D3), 58 points, 9.67 QPR
2. Windsor (6-0 overall, 5-0 D3), 52 points, 8.67 QPR
3. Mill River (5-2 overall, 4-2 D3), 35 points, 5 QPR
4. BFA-Fairfax (2-4 overall, 2-3 D3), 14 points, 2.33 QPR
5T. Poultney/MSJ (1-5 overall, 1-4 D3), 5 points, 0.83 QPR
5T. Springfield (1-6* overall, 1-4 D3), 5 points, 0.83 QPR
7. Missisquoi (0-6* overall, 0-5 D3), 0 points, 0 QPR



How do these numbers work? Teams receive 10 points for a win over a D1 opponent, 7 points for a win over a D2 opponent and 5 points for a win over a D3 opponent. Teams also receive 2 points for every game won by the teams they have beaten. QPR is total points divided by games played.

Vermont HS Football QPRs through Friday's Games

It was a late night at the office, so I'll leave the analysis for tomorrow and Sunday. For now, here are a couple of questions from Friday night in Vermont high school football

* How much of the credit for the 6-0 starts of Burlington and Milton is down to soft schedules? Neither looked like a contender Friday night as BHS fell to a middle-of-the-pack Middlebury team and first-place Burr and Burton hammered Milton.

* Where would Woodstock and Windsor fit in the Division II race? The Wasps' two-score win over a solid U-32 team suggests neither would be over their heads, except maybe against Burr and Burton.

Anyway, here are the QPR standings after Friday's games.

Division I

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams are ignored)

1. St. Johnsbury (6-0 overall, 6-0 D1), 94 points, 15.67 QPR
2T. Burlington (6-1 overall, 5-1 D1), 91 points, 13 QPR
2T. Hartford (5-1 overall, 5-1 D1), 78 points, 13 QPR
4. BFA-St. Albans (5-2 overall, 5-2 D1), 78 points, 11.14 QPR
5. Middlebury (4-3 overall, 4-2 D1), 64 points, 9.14 QPR
6. Mt. Mansfield (4-2 overall, 3-2 D1), 49 points, 8.17 QPR
7. CVU (3-3 overall, 3-3 D1), 42 points, 7 QPR
8. Rutland (3-4 overall, 3-4 D1), 36 points, 5.14 QPR
9. Colchester (2-5 overall, 2-5 D1), 30 points, 4.29 QPR
10. South Burlington (2-4 overall, 1-4 D1), 25 points, 4.17
11T. Rice (1-5 overall, 1-5 D1), 12 points, 2 QPR
11T. Essex (1-6 overall, 1-6 D1), 14 points, 2 QPR
13. Brattleboro (1-6 overall, 0-5 D1), 13 points, 1.86 QPR

Division II

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams, including a loss for Woodstock, are ignored)

1. Burr and Burton (6-1 overall, 5-0 D2), 97 points, 13.86 QPR
2. Fair Haven (6-1 overall, 5-1 D2), 72 points, 10.29 QPR
3. Milton (6-1 overall, 5-1 D2), 67 points, 9.57 QPR
4. Bellows Falls (5-2 overall, 3-2 D2), 44 points, 6.29 QPR5. U-32 (4-3 overall, 4-3 D2), 36 points, 5.14 QPR
6. Lyndon (3-3 overall, 2-3 D2), 29 points, 4.83 QPR
7. Mt. Anthony (3-4 overall, 3-4 D2), 31 points, 4.43 QPR
8. North Country (2-5 overall, 2-4 D2), 18 points, 2.57 QPR9T. Mt. Abraham (1-6 overall, 1-5 D2), 7 points, 1 QPR
9T. Spaulding (1-4 overall, 0-4 D2), 5 points, 1 QPR
11. Otter Valley (0-6 overall, 0-6 D2), 0 points, 0 QPR

Division III

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams, including losses for Woodstock, Missisquoi and Springfield, are ignored)

1. Woodstock (6-1* overall, 5-0 D3), 56 points, 9.33 QPR
2. Windsor (5-0 overall, 4-0 D3), 43 points, 8.6 QPR
3. Mill River (4-2 overall, 4-2 D3), 28 points, 4.67 QPR4. BFA-Fairfax (2-4 overall, 2-3 D3), 14 points, 2.33 QPR
5. Poultney/MSJ (1-4 overall, 1-4 D3), 5 points, 1 QPR
6. Springfield (1-5* overall, 1-4 D3), 5 points, 0.83 QPR
7. Missisquoi (0-6* overall, 0-5 D3), 0 points, 0 QPR



How do these numbers work? Teams receive 10 points for a win over a D1 opponent, 7 points for a win over a D2 opponent and 5 points for a win over a D3 opponent. Teams also receive 2 points for every game won by the teams they have beaten. QPR is total points divided by games played.

D1 leaders might need help for top seed

Burlington fended off Mt. Mansfield in Saturday's marquee game in Vermont high school game, but the Seahorses came up one point short -- in the race for first in the standings.

St. Johnsbury remains in first place in the Division I QPRs, but with just 1 point separating the Division's undefeated teams. With both teams facing opponents with similar records in the final two weeks, if they both keep winning, it will come down to how their opponents do that will decide the top seed. Any additional Hartford and BFA-St. Albans will aid SJA while Burlington will be rooting for Burr and Burton and Mt. Mansfield.

Saturday's other movement came in Division III, where Windsor marginally overtook Woodstock atop the standings thanks to the extra points it received for beating two-win BFA-Fairfax. The tiny differential now makes little difference as the teams' meeting in Week 8 is still all but assured to decide the top seed.

Anyway, here are the QPR standings after Week 6.

Division I

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams are ignored)

1. St. Johnsbury (6-0 overall, 6-0 D1), 88 points, 14.67 QPR
2. Burlington (6-0 overall, 5-0 D1), 87 points, 14.5 QPR
3. Hartford (5-1 overall, 5-1 D1), 70 points, 11.67 QPR
4. BFA-St. Albans (4-2 overall, 4-2 D1), 62 points, 10.33 QPR
5. Mt. Mansfield (4-2 overall, 3-2 D1), 45 points, 7.5 QPR
6T. CVU (3-3 overall, 3-3 D1), 40 points, 6.67 QPR
6T. Middlebury (3-3 overall, 3-2 D1), 40 points, 6.67 QPR
8. Colchester (2-4 overall, 2-4 D1), 30 points, 5 QPR
9. South Burlington (2-4 overall, 1-4 D1), 25 points, 4.17
10. Rutland (2-4 overall, 2-4 D1), 22 points, 3.67 QPR
11. Essex (1-5 overall, 1-5 D1), 14 points, 2.33 QPR
12. Rice (1-5 overall, 1-5 D1), 12 points, 2 QPR
13. Brattleboro (0-6 overall, 0-5 D1), 0 points, 0 QPR

Division II

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams, including a loss for Woodstock, are ignored)

1. Burr and Burton (5-1 overall, 4-0 D2), 74 points, 12.33 QPR
2. Milton (6-0 overall, 5-0 D2), 65 points, 10.83 QPR
3. Fair Haven (5-1 overall, 4-1 D2), 55 points,9.17 QPR
4. Bellows Falls (5-1 overall, 3-1 D2), 40 points, 6.67 QPR
5. U-32 (4-2 overall, 4-2 D2), 34 points, 5.67 QPR
6. Mt. Anthony (3-3 overall, 3-3 D2), 29 points, 4.83 QPR
7. Lyndon (3-3 overall, 2-3 D2), 27 points, 4.5 QPR
8. North Country (1-5 overall, 1-4 D2), 9 points, 1.5 QPR
9. Mt. Abraham (1-5 overall, 1-4 D2), 7 points, 1.17 QPR
10. Spaulding (1-4 overall, 0-4 D2), 5 points, 1 QPR
11. Otter Valley (0-6 overall, 0-6 D2), 0 points, 0 QPR

Division III

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams, including losses for Woodstock, Missisquoi and Springfield, are ignored)

1. Windsor (5-0 overall, 4-0 D3), 41 points, 8.2 QPR
2. Woodstock (5-1* overall, 5-0 D3), 39 points, 7.8 QPR
3. Mill River (4-2 overall, 4-2 D3), 21 points, 4.33 QPR
4. BFA-Fairfax (2-4 overall, 2-3 D3), 12 points, 2 QPR
5. Poultney/MSJ (1-4 overall, 1-4 D3), 5 points, 1 QPR
6T. Springfield (0-5* overall, 0-4 D3), 0 points, 0 QPR
6T. Missisquoi (0-5* overall, 0-4 D3), 0 points, 0 QPR



How do these numbers work? Teams receive 10 points for a win over a D1 opponent, 7 points for a win over a D2 opponent and 5 points for a win over a D3 opponent. Teams also receive 2 points for every game won by the teams they have beaten. QPR is total points divided by games played.

BBA impresses on a night of thrillers

Friday night featured two of the most exciting games of the Vermont high school football season thus far, but it was a blowout that most caught my eye Friday night.

Any questions that remained about just how good Burr and Burton is are gone now after the Bulldogs dismantled perennial Division I power Middlebury. The Bulldogs (5-1) had already routed three of the other leading Division II contenders in Fair Haven, Bellows Falls and U-32 and this game wasn't close either.

BBA still has that opening-loss to Burlington on its resume, but in the five weeks since they've looked as good as any team in the state this side of St. Johnsbury. Despite their loss, the Bulldogs have a comfortable lead in the QPR standings.

The second-place team in D2 is Milton, which stayed unbeaten with a comeback win in what might have been Friday's most dramatic game. The Yellowjackets (6-0) came back from two scores down in the second half and scored with about a minute to go to escape with a 46-42 victor over Lyndon. It was Milton's third comeback victory in the last two minutes, and the Yellowjackets will be looking for more of that magic when they welcome Burr and Burton next weekend.

Friday's other big result came in Division I where Hartford bolted to a 24-10 halftime lead and held on for a 24-23 victory over BFA-St. Albans. The win moves the Hurricanes to 5-1 and into a strong position to claim the second or third seed. BFA, meanwhile, slips to 4-2 and likely into position for a road trip in the semifinals -- but with the knowledge it has played St. Johnsbury and Hartford close on the road.

Anyway, here are the QPR standings through Friday night's games:

Division I

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams are ignored)

1. St. Johnsbury (6-0 overall, 6-0 D1), 88 points, 14.67 QPR
2. Burlington (5-0 overall, 4-0 D1), 69 points, 13.8 QPR
3. Hartford (5-1 overall, 5-1 D1), 68 points, 11.33 QPR
4. BFA-St. Albans (4-2 overall, 4-2 D1), 60 points, 10 QPR
5. Mt. Mansfield (4-1 overall, 3-1 D1), 45 points, 9 QPR
6T. CVU (3-3 overall, 3-3 D1), 38 points, 6.33 QPR
6T. Middlebury (3-3 overall, 3-3 D1), 38 points, 6.33 QPR
8. Colchester (2-4 overall, 2-4 D1), 30 points, 5 QPR
9. South Burlington (2-4 overall, 1-4 D1), 25 points, 4.17
10. Rice (1-4 overall, 1-4 D1), 12 points, 2.4 QPR
11. Essex (1-5 overall, 1-5 D1), 14 points, 2.33 QPR
12. Rutland (1-4 overall, 1-4 D1), 10 points, 2 QPR
13. Brattleboro (0-5 overall, 0-4 D1), 0 points, 0 QPR

Division II

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams, including a loss for Woodstock, are ignored)

1. Burr and Burton (5-1 overall, 4-0 D2), 72 points, 12 QPR
2. Milton (6-0 overall, 5-0 D2), 65 points, 10.83 QPR
3. Fair Haven (5-1 overall, 4-1 D2), 355 points,9.17 QPR
4. Bellows Falls (4-1 overall, 2-1 D2), 31 points, 6.2 QPR
5. U-32 (4-2 overall, 4-2 D2), 34 points, 5.67 QPR
6. Mt. Anthony (3-3 overall, 3-3 D2), 29 points, 4.83 QPR
7. Lyndon (3-3 overall, 2-3 D2), 27 points, 4.5 QPR
8. North Country (1-5 overall, 1-4 D2), 9 points, 1.5 QPR
9. Mt. Abraham (1-4 overall, 1-3 D2), 7 points, 1.4 QPR
10. Spaulding (1-4 overall, 0-4 D2), 5 points, 1 QPR
11. Otter Valley (0-6 overall, 0-6 D2), 0 points, 0 QPR

Division III

(Includes all games vs. in-state opponents. Games vs. out-of-state teams, including losses for Woodstock, Missisquoi and Springfield, are ignored)

1. Woodstock (4-1* overall, 4-0 D3), 32 points, 8 QPR
2. Windsor (4-0 overall, 3-0 D3), 30 points, 7.5 QPR
3. Mill River (3-2 overall, 3-2 D3), 21 points, 4.2 QPR
4. BFA-Fairfax (2-3 overall, 2-2 D3), 12 points, 2.4 QPR
5. Poultney/MSJ (1-4 overall, 1-4 D3), 5 points, 1 QPR
6T. Springfield (0-5* overall, 0-3 D3), 0 points, 0 QPR
6T. Missisquoi (0-5* overall, 0-4 D3), 0 points, 0 QPR



How do these numbers work? Teams receive 10 points for a win over a D1 opponent, 7 points for a win over a D2 opponent and 5 points for a win over a D3 opponent. Teams also receive 2 points for every game won by the teams they have beaten. QPR is total points divided by games played.