Vermont looking for Hatt trick
Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com
When Vermont head coach Mike Hatt surveys his surroundings before next year's Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl, some things will look very familiar.
The 2009 Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl will be played at Windsor (Vt.) High School, and Windsor is an opponent Hatt's Springfield team faces every year. In addition, Hatt will likely be coaching at least three of his Springfield players: quarterback Grant White, center Keith Cook and running back Stephen Miller.
White and Cook were Burlington Free Press first team All-State selections. Miller was named to the second team.
"It's kind of like a baseball team being strong up the middle," Hatt said. "Grant is real adept at running our offense, and Cook will be able to handle all the line calls. Being a coach, you look for every edge you can."
Hatt, who guided Springfield to an 11-0 record and the Division III state championship last season, recently sent out invitations to players he hopes will make up Vermont's 36-player roster. Players were asked to respond by Jan. 5. Hatt said White, Cook and Miller were among those invited.
Official rosters for both teams are expected to be announced in February.
"I think we'll have some good athletes, and I like the size on our team," Hatt said. "It should be a very athletic group. I like our skill."
White completed 109-of-165 passes for 1,821 yards and 26 touchdowns in Springfield's spread offense last season. He also ran the ball 103 times for 466 yards and 16 TDs. He holds the school record for touchdown passes in a career (52).
Cook was a three-year starter on Springfield's offensive line, and was named the team's top defensive player in each of those seasons.
Hatt said he's hoping Hartford running back Mick Wong and Mount Mansfield running back Brian Wilcox will join Miller in the Vermont offensive backfield.
Wong rushed for 1,427 yards last season, when he led Hartford to its second consecutive Division I state championship. Wilcox, a converted lineman, was a four-year starter for Mount Mansfield. He rushed for 1,497 yards and scored 21 TDs last season.
"We do have some terrific skill kids, but you win the game at the line of scrimmage," Hatt said. "You gotta stop New Hampshire when it runs if you want to win the game."
Franklin's Greg Husband will serve as New Hampshire's coach for next year's game, which will be played Aug. 1. Husband guided Franklin to an 11-1 record and the Division VI state championship last season.
Hatt, who is in his third stint as Springfield's head coach, also serves as the school's athletic director. The Cosmos have a 39-37 record in his eight seasons as the school's head coach.
New Hampshire extended its winning streak to eight games when it beat Vermont, 42-0, in the 2008 game. New Hampshire has a 40-13-2 edge in the series.
"We haven't been very successful," Hatt said. "You want to make it enjoyable and as good an experience as you can. We'll show up and we'll have a plan to win."
