Poultney High School, a long‑standing program in the Green Mountain State, has decided to cancel its 2026 football season after a sharp decline in student interest. The move leaves Vermont with only 29 varsity football teams, a noticeable drop from previous years.
A Tradition at Risk
The school, which has fielded a team for more than five decades and celebrated state championships in 2007 and 2019, will now focus on rebuilding its youth pipeline. Coaches such as Ramsey Worrell of Woodstock and Dustin Rock of Milton have spoken about the loss of tradition and the need for stronger community backing.
The cancellation ripples through the Division III schedule, forcing several programs to seek new opponents. Woodstock has secured a matchup with New Hampshire’s Newport High School, while Milton plans to give its roster a week off rather than fill an open slot. Only one Poultney student, Kole Lynch, is slated to suit up for Fair Haven under a member‑to‑member agreement.
Looking Ahead
School officials say the pause is temporary. They intend to invest in youth development initiatives with the goal of restoring a full varsity squad by the 2027 season. Joseph DeBonis and Marc Dudsak, among other community leaders, have voiced optimism that renewed participation will return the program to its former prominence.