Varsity Insider

This year’s Fearless Free Press Football Forecast comes to an end with our picks in Friday’s paper, but it’s time for us to get a little more fearless with our predictions for the high school championship games.

Here are selected staffers’ predictions for the title games and their reasoning behind them:

(Check back later as more of our staffers chime in. …)

Division I

No. 1 Essex (10-0) vs. No. 3 Rutland (7-3)

Kevin Commo: Essex 33, Rutland 20. The Raiders have been there too many times not to make a game of it, but Max Librizzi and the rest of the Essex offense are too explosive to stop, especially on artificial turf.

Alex Abrami: Essex 33, Rutland 14. There’s just too much sting in the Hornets’ attack for the Raiders. Essex’s prolific offense will pull away in the second half, much like the teams’ regular-season meeting.

John A. Fantino: Essex 40, Rutland 10: Max Librizzi has another monster game as rapid-fire Hornets breeze to first title in 17 years.

Mike Donoghue: Essex 35, Rutland 19.  “Air” Librizzi and company are too much in the passing game for any defense.  Rutland coach Mike Norman always has his team prepared for a title game, but it won’t be enough this time.

Division II

No. 1  Colchester (10-0) vs. No. 3 Champlain Valley (9-1)

Kevin Commo: Colchester 19, CVU 7. In a matchup of hard-nosed teams, Colchester’s punishing ground game proves the difference.

Alex Abrami: Colchester 14, CVU 6. By Devon Grammo’s standards, his rushing line in last week’s semifinal win was below average. Grammo’s effort in the final will likely be the difference.

John A. Fantino: Colchester 21, CVU 6: Like it has done much of the season, Colchester jumps out to quick lead, squashing CVU’s hopes of another upset.

Mike Donoghue: Colchester 21, CVU 14. Should be a great game. CHS wants to go undefeated and CVU wants its first title.  Wet weather on grass could make a difference.  The Lakers, winless as freshmen, get it done.

Division III

No. 1  Windsor (8-2) vs. No. 3 Springfield (8-2)

Kevin Commo: Springfield 20, Windsor 18. Back-to-back wins over archrival Bellows Falls show surging Springfield is ready to defend its title.

Alex Abrami: Windsor 24, Springfield 21. Windsor makes up for 2007, 2008 title-game losses with a narrow win over rival Springfield.

John A. Fantino: Windsor 27, Springfield 24: Behind experience and a high-powered offense, the Yellow Jackets avenge last year’s title-game defeat, but by a much closer margin than their regular-season win over Springfield.

Mike Donoghue: Windsor 26, Springfield 14. Windsor has been a bride’s maid for two years, but get it done this time in the battle of Windsor County.  Gavin Callahan is too much for Cosmos.