Poultney High School, a small public institution in southwestern Vermont, announced that it will not field a varsity football team for the 2026 season. The decision follows a steady decline in participation, with the program winning only six games over the past six years and lacking a junior varsity structure to develop younger talent.
Principal Joe DeBonis and Associate Principal Marc Dudsak, who also serves as Athletic Director, cited the shrinking roster and safety concerns as primary reasons for the hiatus. Eric Ramey, athletic director for the Slate Valley Unified School District, noted that the arrangement would allow Poultney’s remaining players to continue competing under the banner of Fair Haven Union High School.
Kole Lynch, the only Poultney senior slated to join Fair Haven for the upcoming season, expressed mixed feelings about the move. His mother, Rachael Lynch, voiced apprehension about her son’s safety and the uncertain future of the program, highlighting the personal stakes behind the administrative decision.
Fair Haven’s junior varsity program, long regarded as a developmental pipeline, is expected to absorb the incoming students and provide them with a structured environment to learn the fundamentals of the game. School officials hope that this exposure will reignite interest in football across the region.
Poultney’s football legacy stretches back to the 1930s, highlighted by a Division III state championship in 2019. The team’s recent struggles were exacerbated by disruptions caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic, which limited practice time and recruitment opportunities.
Looking Ahead
District leaders remain optimistic that the temporary partnership will serve as a catalyst for rebuilding the program. By leveraging Fair Haven’s resources and maintaining connections with feeder schools such as West Rutland and Proctor, Poultney hopes to restore a competitive varsity team in the near future.