White River Junction
The stretch of three state titles from 2010-12 immediately comes to mind. Four years later, Hartford’s undefeated in VPA Division I and is in position to win another championship thanks to a plethora of running backs who have made the Hurricanes difficult to defense.
Less than 17 miles south on Interstate 91, another football team is looking for similar glory. Windsor, undefeated in D-III, has had its own share of championship hardware. But this year’s team is special thanks to a diversified offensive strategy and the continued development of quarterback Seth Balch. And with a familiar foe on the docket for today’s championship game, it’s hard for some not to dream of the possibilities.
Hartford (9-0, 9-1 overall) will take on No. 2 St. Johnsbury in the D-I final at 5 p.m. The Yellowjackets (10-0) meet Otter Valley at 11 a.m. Both games will take place at Rutland High.
“The earlier win (against Otter Valley), it’s gone. It’s in the past,” Balch said during practice on Thursday. “We had a team a couple of years ago (in 2007) that blew out a Poultney team in the regular season, faced them in the championship game and lost to them. It’s just kind of humbling to think about that.
“They had a great team that year, one of the best teams to come through Windsor. It was tough to watch that happen. But it’s a constant reminder of it’s never good enough. Coming into this game, we strive to play perfect. … You really have to throw everything out there for the championship game.”
Windsor and Hartford are similarly built, using a corps of running backs with a variety of strengths behind strong offensive lines to move the ball downfield.
That’s a different mindset than the Hurricanes employed a year ago, relying heavily on the feet of MacLaren, Walkker Judd and Hunter Judd. A year later, a group of five running backs has emerged as possible workhorses, rushing for a combined 2,617 yards. MacLaren, one year after rushing for 990 yards and 12 touchdowns as Hartford’s go-to back, has suddenly become a cog in a much more diverse machine.
“I just take it every day, try to go as hard as I can on every play,” MacLaren said. “If they ask me to do that same thing tomorrow, I could do the same thing. If that’s not what they need me to do, that’s OK, too. … Whatever Coach (Matt Trombly) needs me to do. That’s my job. I’m just happy to get wins.”
Junior Kody Rhodes (715 yards, nine touchdowns) has done much of the damage this season, with junior Tyler Hamilton (505 yards, six touchdowns), MacLaren (490 rushing yards, eight touchdowns) and junior Hunter Perkins (467 yards, six touchdowns) playing on short-yardage situations. Sophomore Nick Porter (440 yards, seven touchdowns) has emerged as this season’s big surprise, showing plenty of late-season poise in big situations for the Hurricanes.
“It’s awesome (being in that group),” MacLaren said. “I run behind an offensive line that I could not ask more from. They put people on the ground when they want to. They are fun to run behind. … There are holes that you could run four of me through at one time. I can’t ask for more than that.”
Windsor’s running back group is just as dangerous, featuring Hunter Patenaude (619 yards, 10 touchdowons), Hunter Judd (645 yards, nine touchdowns after transferring from Hartford) and Dakota Page (250 yards, two touchdowns). Trevor Worrall, the Yellowjackets’ featured back early on this season, has since been lost to injury and will miss today’s championship game.
But a big part of Windsor’s offensive success this season has been a varied offensive strategy thanks to the emergence of junior quarterback Balch, who has found plenty of receivers to throw to in this season’s undefeated campaign. Having an experienced, confident play-caller behind center, Patenaude said, has been key to Windsor’s run thus far.
“He’s stepped up a lot,” Patenaude said of his quarterback. “His throws have been a lot more accuate. He’s making a lot smarter plays, smarter throws, making the right plays at the right time. He’s doing a great job.”
The Yellowjackets have outscored opponents, 397-81, this season and defeated Otter Valley 55-13 on Sept. 13. Worrall scored four touchdowns in that game.
To the north, Hartford’s Mac-Laren has accepted his role on this year’s powerful Hurricanes team. The senior back has done his best to lead by example despite relinquishing the spotlight. He now hopes that, in the end, it pays off.
“We saw what worked the first time (a 35-20 win over the Hilltoppers on Oct. 15),” MacLaren said. “I’m sure they’ll make some changes to counter it. But we’re just preparing as hard as we can. It doesn’t mean anything if we go undefeated until now and lose.”
Josh Weinreb can be reached at jweinreb@vnews.com or 603-727-3306.