Rice-CVU Football Semifinal Preview

By Alex Abrami for the Burlington Free Press

Friendships and general acquaintances will have to put aside when Champlain Valley Union and Rice Memorial tangle in a Division II high school football semifinal Saturday afternoon. There’s CVU coach Jim Provost’s link to the Rice program he coached to a pair of state titles in the 1980s. Neil Brodeur, Rice’s current coach, played on the 1983 championship team. CVU lineman Cam Fitzgerald and Rice running back Danny Bolger work together at Mills & Greer. Others are friends through sports teams like American Legion baseball, or they live close to one other. “The kids know each other. It’s in each other’s backyards,” said Brodeur, who still talks to Provost on a regular basis. “They have mutual friends.” “People in green; people in red. It’s going to be crazy,” added Provost.

Come Saturday’s 2 p.m. kickoff in Hinesburg, those alliances will be put on hold for two-plus hours. The second-seeded Redhawks (7-2) have had a season-long goal to return to the D-II final while the third-seeded Green Knights (8-1) have rolled over nearly every opponent to earn a playoff spot for the first time since 2006.

The one opponent Rice hasn’t defeated handily? CVU. About a month ago at Rice, quarterback Konnor Fleming led CVU to a second-half rally in a 30-22 win. Rice quarterback Christian McCormick left with concussion-like symptoms in the third quarter. But the reasons for Rice’s lone loss go beyond their missing star, who has thrown for 2,076 yards and 26 touchdowns. Miscues — four fumbles and two INTs — proved costly, Brodeur said. “We only played 24 minutes. We gave CVU six extra offensive possessions,” Brodeur lamented. “That’s not going to help you win, it’s just that simple.”

Teams’ strengths

Rice put up 401 points while yielding only 116 this season. The Knights offense, of course, starts with the mobile McCormick, who stands at 6-foot-2. His receivers — Austin Robinson, Casey Tipson, Nick Elderton, Evan Healey, etc. — are big-time threats that make Rice’s spread attack very potent. “The problem with Rice, they have so many weapons,” Provost said. “We have to stay disciplined. We have to go after McCormick.”

Pressuring the quarterback worked for CVU during its second-half charge. It’s been a staple during the team’s standout season. Fitzgerald and Dale Conger are two bruisers in the middle of the line that cause all sorts of issues for opposing offenses. Their leading efforts have helped CVU pitch shutouts against Milton and U-32 to close out the regular season.

Like McCormick is to Rice, Fleming is the CVU’s offensive force. Fleming’s command is with his legs, but the veteran QB will certainly make the crucial pass. “He’s the little engine that could,” Provost said. “He’s our catalyst. Both teams have QBs with different styles. That’s what makes it so intriguing.”

Field conditions Saturday?

Rain from the past two days will surely make for sloppy conditions in Hinesburg for this showdown. The question remains, however, will it cause concern for a Rice team that’s built for a passing attack. “We are not too worried about the rain,” Brodeur said. “For the last four weeks, we’ve played like that … we are still scoring points. We have to execute.” Regardless of the weather, the matchup will be intense in CVU’s first home playoff game. “It will be standing room only,” Provost said.