Bellows Falls Beats Mount Abraham 32-8 to Reach D3 State Final

The Bellows Falls Union High School football team is headed back to the state title game.

Following a decisive 32-8 victory over Mount Abraham in Friday night’s Division 3 semifinal in Bristol, the third-seeded Terriers have secured their chance to defend the championship they earned last year, the Brattleboro Reformer reported.

The Terriers, now 8-2 on the season, leaned heavily on a punishing ground game to control the pace of play from the opening whistle. Jaden Bazin led the offensive effort, rushing for 228 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries. Bryar Barnett provided critical support in the backfield, contributing another 67 yards on 10 carries as the team surpassed the 300-yard mark on the ground.

While the offense set the tone, the Bellows Falls defense proved equally vital in shutting down Mount Abraham’s momentum. According to the Bellows Falls Football Supporters Facebook page, the Terriers held their hosts to a mere 40 yards of total offense during the second half. The defensive effort included several goal-line stands, preventing Mount Abraham from capitalizing on opportunities inside the 10-yard line.

Mt. Abraham Vs. Bellows Falls | LIVE Football High School @Vermont | 6-Nov 2026

Individual defensive highlights were frequent throughout the contest. Cooper Lovell anchored the front, recording two sacks and forcing a fumble. Bazin, already a standout on the ground, also impacted the game defensively by intercepting a pass to help seal the win.

The victory sets up a championship showdown between Bellows Falls and top-seeded Otter Valley. Otter Valley enters the final with an 8-1 record, having punched their ticket to the title game with a 48-6 victory over Springfield on Saturday. The two teams are scheduled to meet on Saturday, November 14, at 2:30 p.m. at Burlington High School.

For Bellows Falls, this marks the second year reaching the state final. Their run last season culminated in a win over top-ranked Woodstock, marking the program’s 13th state title—a new record for the most in Vermont high school football history. As the Terriers prepare for the upcoming matchup against Otter Valley, they carry the momentum of a program that has consistently played late-season playoff football under pressure.

The physical nature of the Terriers’ performance on Friday reflects a specific tactical focus on ball control and defensive discipline that has defined their postseason identity. With the championship game looming, the focus now shifts to whether the Terriers can maintain this high-level execution against an Otter Valley team that has demonstrated similar offensive efficiency in their own semifinal win.