Football: Wasps dominate in all facets of championship win

Woodstock celebrates its VPA Division III state football championship in St. Johnsbury, Vt., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. The Wasps' 65-14 win over Otter Valley is the school's first state title win since 2018. (Josh Kuckens photograph)

Woodstock celebrates its VPA Division III state football championship in St. Johnsbury, Vt., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. The Wasps' 65-14 win over Otter Valley is the school's first state title win since 2018. (Josh Kuckens photograph) Josh Kuckens photographs

Woodstock’s Carter Warren reels in a 42-yard touchdown pass from Aksel Oats to open the scoring against Otter Valley during the VPA Division III state football championship in St. Johnsbury, Vt., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. Woodstock set a record for points scored in a championship game, winning 65-14. (Josh Kuckens photograph)

Woodstock’s Carter Warren reels in a 42-yard touchdown pass from Aksel Oats to open the scoring against Otter Valley during the VPA Division III state football championship in St. Johnsbury, Vt., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. Woodstock set a record for points scored in a championship game, winning 65-14. (Josh Kuckens photograph) Josh Kuckens photograph

Woodstock’s Carter Warren, left, and Benjamin Runstein break up a pass intended for Otter Valley’s Max Potter during the VPA Division III state football championship in St. Johnsbury, Vt., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Josh Kuckens photograph)

Woodstock’s Carter Warren, left, and Benjamin Runstein break up a pass intended for Otter Valley’s Max Potter during the VPA Division III state football championship in St. Johnsbury, Vt., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Josh Kuckens photograph) —

Woodstock’s Caeden Perrault rips through Otter Valley's defenders during the VPA Division III state football championship in St. Johnsbury, Vt., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. Perrault tallied 163 yards and three touchdowns in the Wasps' 65-14 record-setting win. (Josh Kuckens photograph)

Woodstock’s Caeden Perrault rips through Otter Valley's defenders during the VPA Division III state football championship in St. Johnsbury, Vt., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. Perrault tallied 163 yards and three touchdowns in the Wasps' 65-14 record-setting win. (Josh Kuckens photograph) —

Woodstock and Otter Valley's team captains watch the coin toss before the VPA Division III state football championship in St. Johnsbury, Vt., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Josh Kuckens photograph)

Woodstock and Otter Valley's team captains watch the coin toss before the VPA Division III state football championship in St. Johnsbury, Vt., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Josh Kuckens photograph) —

Woodstock players warm up before the second half of the VPA Division III state football championship in St. Johnsbury, Vt., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Josh Kuckens photograph)

Woodstock players warm up before the second half of the VPA Division III state football championship in St. Johnsbury, Vt., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (Josh Kuckens photograph) —

By BEN HOOKE

Valley News Correspondent

Published: 11-10-2024 5:38 PM

ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. — Woodstock football coach Ramsey Worrell had just one word to describe his team’s 2024 football campaign: “Domination.”

Based on the on-field results from start to finish, it’s hard to dispute.

The Woodstock Wasps capped a perfect season in Division III by rolling to a record-tying 12th football state championship in historic fashion, scoring the game’s first 53 points in a row en route to a 65-14 beatdown of the Otter Valley Otters on a clear, chilly afternoon in St. Johnsbury.

Caden Perreault scored three touchdowns and Carter Warren added a pair for the Wasps, who overwhelmed the Otters with their many-headed rushing attack and played swarming defense to set a state championship record with 65 points scored.

“It means a lot,” Worrell said of the record. “Not just cementing the legacy of this team but of this program.”

The Wasps opened the scoring on their opening drive when Carter Warren took a short pass from Aksel Oates 42 yards for a score, and the rout was only on from there. An interception on the next Otter drive gave Woodstock great field position and a one-play touchdown from Warren followed.

The Otters, who spoiled the 1 vs 2 matchup in the final by upsetting undefeated top seed BFA-Fairfax in the semifinals, struggled mightily on offense all half, hardly getting the ball over midfield and giving the Wasps fantastic field position on its drives.

Woodstock scored four more times in the second quarter without entering the redzone, with Perreault scoring a pair of long touchdowns and Oates tossing another score to Ben Runstien. With Woodstock entering the half up 46-0, the second half was effectively a formality.

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Otter Valley scored a pair of touchdowns, but the Wasps responded in kind to set the championship game record by two points and cruise to the final victory. The 51 point margin of victory is the second highest in state championship history.

The Wasps, whose closest margin over a Vermont opponent was an 18 point win over Lyndon, finish 9-0 en route to title no. 12. Woodstock move into a three-way tie with Hartford and Bellows Falls at the top of the record books.

The Wasps graduate 15 seniors but return several key pieces as they look to repeat for title no. 13 in 2025.