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Tigers Take Division II Football Battle Plan to Colchester

Tuesday September 8, 2009

By Mike Cameron

   They will be competitive and why wouldn’t they be?  This is a team that has remained a test for Division I opponents for many years.  Now the Tigers have made a step back down into the Division II ranks after their student population numbers called for such a move.  Nuf said?  Their opponents will have already have taken note of the fact that history at least is on their, (the Tigers side.)

   When Middlebury was a dominant team in Division II years ago, many of the teams that are in the division today did not even play football.  Some of the schools hadn’t even been built yet.  Back in the days when the Tigers were a Division II force to deal with, they could also hold their own with the best of the Division I contenders.  High school football teams of that era knew this only too well.  Could the same be true of this years Tiger varsity football team?  Time will tell.

    As one long time Tiger fan told us early in the summer, “I like our chances!”  Why wouldn’t they?  If the program was successful in DI, chances are it will be successful in DII.  

    Tiger fans haven’t lost their taste for the playoffs but that road will not be a “cake walk” for you folks who remember what that is.  

    Defending Division II Champion Spaulding of Barre has seen a new spirit of competition in their town and is on to DI.  Otter Valley is making noise in Brandon with a brand new field and some big, rugged, experienced, offensive and defensive linemen ready to show their stuff.

   Lyndon has always given the Tigers trouble at Lyndon and Burr and Burton is itching to renew what was one of the truly great Vermont high school football rivalries from years past.  Colchester will be first up on the day this article is published and their program has been solid of late.  Fair Haven has potential for some high powered, high scoring action and Mount Mansfield Union has been building a core program that also shows great potential.  Mount Anthony is on the schedule and needs no explanation and they have always enjoyed nothing better than to make a bad day for Middlebury even worse on the football field home or away.   They remain the only past DI team that appears on the Tigers schedule.

    Perhaps the best news of all for the Middlebury community and for all of us who have come to know and respect his leadership on the field and in the classroom is the return of Peter Brakeley to the program.  He will guide the younger players this year after a year away from coaching the game.   Tiger pride personified.

    Head Coach Dennis Smith came within a few bounces of the ball one way or the other to leading his Tigers to the 2008 playoffs.  He did a remarkable job under difficult circumstances and remains one of the  best motivators in Vermont High School Football.

   One thing can be counted on for sure. Coach Smith will have his team in shape and ready to play in what promises to be an entertaining and competitive Division II schedule this fall.  It’s time to meet at the 50-yard line, flip the coin and kick off another high school football seasol here in the Champlain Valley.

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