Excitement is building across Vermont as the 2026 boys soccer preseason rankings were released, painting a picture of a season poised to deliver drama from the first whistle.
Burr and Burton Academy enters the campaign as the defending Division I champion, boasting a deep roster of 12 returning veterans and the standout BFP All‑State first‑teamer Rhys Jones, who will anchor the attack.
Milton High School, fresh off a surprising Division II upset last year, returns with ten starters and a potent combination of Killian Choquette and Chase Renaud, who together contributed 36 goals in the previous season.
Winooski High School, having moved up to Division III, looks to extend its four‑year title streak, supported by nine returning starters who have already proven their ability to dominate the competition.
Twin Valley High School captured a perfect 17‑0 record in Division IV last year, positioning the team as a formidable threat should it decide to stay in that division.
Essex High School is expected to contend for the championship again, aiming to avenge an early‑round exit from the previous tournament while leveraging its experience and depth.
Champlain Valley Union High School adds top scorer Waydon Cherington from Mount Abraham to its lineup, a move that could shift the balance in the Metro division.
South Burlington High School will open its season on August 29 at home against its longtime rivals, a match that could set the tone for the team’s campaign under new leadership.
Milton’s first test arrives a day earlier, on August 28, when it travels to face Lake Region, a matchup that will test the squad’s early chemistry.
Burlington High School, a perennial semifinalist over the past decade, is slated to debut on September 1 at Colchester, where the team hopes to translate its recent consistency into a strong start.
The regular season officially kicks off on August 28, after weeks of preseason practices and scrimmages that have already given coaches a glimpse of their lineups and strategies.
Key Players to Watch
Rhys Jones returns as the focal point of Burr and Burton’s offense, while Killian Choquette and Chase Renaud will look to add to their combined 36 goals from last year. Waydon Cherington brings a proven scoring touch to Champlain Valley Union, and Art Wright, in his first year as head coach at South Burlington, will guide a talented but youthful roster.
Opening Week Schedule
The first round of matches features a cluster of games on August 28 and 29, with Burr and Burton hosting South Burlington, Champlain Valley Union traveling to Rutland, and Milton opening at Lake Region. Burlington’s debut comes on September 1 at Colchester, rounding out a busy opening weekend that promises early leaderboards and surprise outcomes.