MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury Union High School football team gave undefeated Division I rival St. Johnsbury a battle on Friday night, but the visiting Hilltoppers came away with a 9-7 victory.
The 3-0 Hilltoppers took a 6-0 second-quarter lead via Jacob Cady’s 2-yard run. Cady finished with 88 yards on 21 rushing attempts for St. J, which outgained the Tigers, 359-187. Cady also completed 15 of 21 passes for 199 yards.
The Tigers seized a 7-6 advantage in the third quarter on a Cody Pomainville run and a Jackson Donahue kick.
But James Hayes kicked a 25-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to create the winning margin.
Lane Sheldrick rushed 10 times for 73 yards to lead the Tigers, and Pomainville ran nine times for 55 yards and completed one pass for 21 yards.
The Tigers are 1-2, with the other setback coming at defending D-I champion Hartford on the road the previous weekend.
Essex (0-3) will visit Doc Collins Field for the MUHS homecoming this Friday at 7 p.m.