Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl Preview

By rbrown
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Updated: July 31, 2026

73rd SHRINE MAPLE SUGAR BOWL
New Hampshire vs. Vermont

When and where: Saturday (11:30 a.m.) at Vermont State-Castleton.
Coaches: Ethan Curtis (Hartford) is Vermont’s head coach. Tim Snow (Franklin) is coaching New Hampshire.
2025 Result: Vermont won, 19-14.
Series: New Hampshire leads the series 50-19-2.
Noteworthy: Vermont enters Saturday’s game on a three-game winning streak. … The key to winning this matchup often comes down to which team has the more cohesive offense, since the teams have only one week to prepare. New Hampshire will be operating out of the Pistol, and New Hampshire coach Tim Snow said unless New Hampshire is trailing big he expects to run the ball about 75 percent of the time. “It’s going to be a line game,” Snow said. “I started this back in December (building the roster) and I went line-heavy. Our focus on offense is running the ball. On defense we have to pressure the quarterback and stop the pass. I think it will be a low-scoring defensive battle.” … New Hampshire hasn’t scored more than 21 points in this game since 2015. … Harrison Joshi (Nashua North) is expected to take most of the snaps for New Hampshire. Justin Fletcher (Mascoma) will also see time at QB. … New Hampshire’s captains (photo) are Colin Myers (Mascoma), John Taylor (Hanover), George Sarkis (Franklin), Adrian Sanchez (Newport), Eli Gutierrez (Milford) and Luke St. Onge (Exeter). … Injuries have trimmed the New Hampshire roster from 38 to 31 players. … The game will feature 12-minute quarters and a 30-minure halftime. … New Hampshire’s defensive backfield will feature two of the team’s top athletes in Will Tobin (Exeter) and Serafin Agramonte (Kingswood). … Saturday’s game can be seen on nsnsports.net. … “So far the week has been an amazing experience,” Snow said. “I wish we had 38 players like we started with, but I truly like our depth. The coaching staff is really, really good and they’ve been working together seamlessly. I think we have a group of kids who want to win and will do everything they can to win.”

OUTLOOK: New Hampshire’s depth took a hit with several injuries that will keep players out of Saturday’s game, but this is one of the better rosters New Hampshire has constructed in recent years. Some of the team’s top offensive threats are being used on defense, so there’s obviously no lack of talent. New Hampshire should also have a significant edge in the kicking game with Hillsboro-Deering’s Gavin Ford.

PREDICTION: New Hampshire 20, Vermont 14.

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