New England High School Football Weekend Headlines: Week 1 Players Who Stood Out

Scouting New England Weekend Report | September 4–6, 2026

The 2026 high school football season officially opened in several New England states this past weekend. Scouting New England Analyst have reviewed available local newspaper coverage, regional sports reports, scoreboards, attended live action games and publicly accessible social-media posts and published between Friday and Sunday. New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont produced several notable individual performances. Rhode Island also began competition, while Massachusetts and Connecticut prepare to open their primary regular-season schedules this week. Graduation classes are included only when they could be verified. All statistics are credited to the publications and public sources that reported them.

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New Hampshire

Damian Wilson — CB — Manchester Central — Class of 2028

Manchester Central junior cornerback Damian Wilson delivered one of New England’s most impressive defensive performances of opening weekend.

Wilson intercepted three passes against Spaulding and returned one approximately 60 yards for a touchdown, helping Manchester Central earn a decisive season-opening victory.

What Stood Out: Wilson repeatedly located and finished plays on the football. Recording three interceptions in one game reflects awareness, anticipation and dependable hands. His ability to turn one of those takeaways into a touchdown added an important playmaking element to his performance.

SNE Recruiting Observation: Wilson’s opening-week production makes him a strong candidate for an immediate film evaluation. His complete defensive tape should provide more information about his route recognition, coverage range, transition quickness and closing ability.

Drake Jaimes — QB — Manchester Central — Graduation Class Unverified

Jaimes threw two touchdown passes during Manchester Central’s victory over Spaulding.

What Stood Out: Jaimes helped Manchester Central generate offensive separation while Wilson and the defense produced turnovers. His passing production complemented one of the weekend’s strongest defensive efforts.

Manchester Central was reported as a 38–7 winner in the newspaper recap, although another public scoreboard displayed a different final. SNE is using the newspaper-reported score pending additional confirmation.

Source: New Hampshire Week 1 roundup

Maine

Maine supplied the largest collection of verified individual performances during the opening weekend.

Issac Madore — QB — Gardiner — Class of 2028

Madore completed 9 of 16 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns as Gardiner defeated Nokomis, 37–6.

Both touchdown passes came during a decisive stretch late in the second quarter. Madore connected with Chase McGrane for scores covering 56 and 35 yards.

What Stood Out: The junior quarterback looked comfortable attacking downfield and helped Gardiner turn a competitive 7–0 game into a decisive victory. His composure and ability to execute consecutive explosive scoring plays were particularly noteworthy.

SNE Recruiting Observation: Madore’s development as a passer should be monitored throughout his junior season. His performance demonstrated improving pocket comfort, downfield production and the ability to take advantage of favorable opportunities.

Chase McGrane — WR/DB — Gardiner — Graduation Class Unverified

McGrane caught four passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns. He also recorded an interception on defense.

What Stood Out: McGrane influenced the game on both sides of the football. He produced two long touchdown receptions and added a defensive takeaway, demonstrating valuable two-way playmaking ability.

SNE Recruiting Observation: McGrane’s combination of downfield receiving production and defensive ball skills makes his opening-week film worth reviewing. His graduation class and verified measurements should be confirmed before a formal recruiting projection is made.

Justin Doody — RB/Receiver — Gardiner — Graduation Class Unverified

Doody carried the football 13 times for 85 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught three passes for 62 yards.

What Stood Out: Doody contributed as both a runner and receiver, finishing with 147 yards from scrimmage and two scores. His versatility gave Gardiner another productive option alongside its downfield passing attack.

Evan Bullock — DL — Gardiner — Graduation Class Unverified

Bullock generated a strip-sack that created Gardiner’s defensive touchdown late in the first half.

What Stood Out: The reported 6-foot-6 defensive lineman supplied pressure and created a turnover during Gardiner’s game-changing scoring run.

Connor Berard — DL — Gardiner — Class of 2029

Berard recovered Bullock’s forced fumble and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown.

What Stood Out: The sophomore reacted quickly to the loose football and displayed the movement ability needed to complete a 40-yard return. Berard was reported at 6-foot-2 and 285 pounds, making his mobility especially interesting for future evaluation.

Source: Gardiner defeats Nokomis

Drew Lindquist — QB — Cony — Graduation Class Unverified

Lindquist threw two touchdown passes in Cony’s 25–21 victory over Fryeburg Academy.

His decisive throw was a 15-yard touchdown pass to Oliver Odom with only 2.9 seconds remaining. Lindquist also connected with Da’Marion Raymond for an 18-yard touchdown during the first quarter.

What Stood Out: Lindquist helped Cony complete a late comeback after the Rams trailed 21–13 during the fourth quarter. He handled the final possession with the game at stake and delivered the winning touchdown.

SNE Recruiting Observation: Late-game execution is an important evaluation point for a quarterback. Lindquist’s final drive should be reviewed for his decision-making, pocket command and accuracy under pressure.

Oliver Odom — WR — Cony — Graduation Class Unverified

Odom caught the winning 15-yard touchdown pass with 2.9 seconds remaining.

What Stood Out: According to the game report, Odom elevated over a defender in the corner of the end zone to finish the winning play. His concentration and ability to compete at the catch point delivered the game’s defining moment.

Kingston Cox — RB — Cony — Graduation Class Unverified

Cox scored from one yard out during the fourth quarter, helping Cony reduce Fryeburg’s 21–13 advantage.

What Stood Out: Cox provided a crucial short-yardage score that gave Cony an opportunity to complete its comeback.

Marcus Sutton — QB/DB — Fryeburg Academy — Graduation Class Unverified

Despite Fryeburg’s loss, Sutton accounted for all three of his team’s touchdowns.

He returned an interception 53 yards for a touchdown, added a 10-yard rushing score and threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Lars Bruhn.

What Stood Out: Sutton affected the game as a quarterback, runner and defensive back. Producing touchdowns in three different ways made him one of Maine’s most versatile opening-week performers.

SNE Recruiting Observation: Sutton’s two-way value and competitive versatility warrant additional film review. His complete performance should be evaluated rather than judged solely by the final score.

Source: Cony’s last-second victory

Austin Lancaster — QB/DB — Skowhegan — Graduation Class Unverified

Lancaster threw three touchdown passes and recorded a late red-zone interception as Skowhegan defeated Mt. Blue, 26–21.

His touchdown passes went to Wyatt Longyear, Matthew Keister and Kayden Pelletier.

What Stood Out: Lancaster’s biggest defensive play came with fewer than two minutes remaining. His interception stopped a potential Mt. Blue scoring drive and protected Skowhegan’s five-point lead.

SNE Recruiting Observation: Lancaster demonstrated important situational value on both sides of the football. His three passing touchdowns helped build the lead, and his late interception helped preserve it.

Quinn Ryan — QB — Mt. Blue — Graduation Class Unverified

Ryan threw two first-quarter touchdown passes during Mt. Blue’s narrow loss. He connected with Roman Galkowski for a nine-yard score and Cannon Smith for a 13-yard touchdown.

What Stood Out: Ryan helped Mt. Blue start quickly and kept the Cougars within striking distance throughout the game.

Source: Central Maine football roundup

Carter Rand — RB — Winthrop — Class of 2027

Rand carried the football 17 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns in Winthrop’s 34–3 victory over Lisbon.

What Stood Out: The senior running back supplied Winthrop’s first touchdown and helped the defending Class D champions take control after halftime. His 100-yard performance provided consistency for the Ramblers’ rushing attack.

Tristyan Ortiz — RB — Winthrop — Class of 2028

Ortiz rushed nine times for 78 yards and two touchdowns. He stepped into a larger role after senior running back Ross Fichthorn left the game with an injury.

His performance included a 48-yard touchdown run on Winthrop’s first possession of the second half.

What Stood Out: Ortiz responded when his opportunity increased and delivered an explosive play that helped Winthrop separate from Lisbon.

SNE Recruiting Observation: The junior’s production in an expanded role makes him a player to continue tracking. His acceleration, contact balance and ability to handle additional carries should be studied as more varsity film becomes available.

Source: Winthrop’s opening victory

Vermont

Maddox McFarland — ATH/QB/WR/DB — St. Johnsbury Academy — Class of 2028

Maddox McFarland produced one of New England’s most complete offensive performances as St. Johnsbury Academy defeated Essex, 41–12.

McFarland caught nine passes for 124 yards and one touchdown. His receiving production included a 60-yard touchdown reception. He also took snaps at quarterback and rushed for 52 yards and two additional touchdowns.

McFarland’s final production included:

• 176 combined rushing and receiving yards
• Nine receptions
• One receiving touchdown
• Two rushing touchdowns
• Three total touchdowns

What Stood Out: McFarland demonstrated his versatility after shifting primarily from quarterback to slot receiver for the 2026 season. He generated explosive production as a receiver while remaining dangerous when St. Johnsbury placed him behind center.

His ability to catch nine passes, stretch the field, create yards with the football and contribute from multiple offensive alignments made him one of Vermont’s most impactful opening-week players.

SNE Recruiting Observation: The 5-foot-10, 155-pound junior showed that he can affect a game from multiple positions. His quarterback background should help him understand defensive coverage, leverage and spacing from the slot.

McFarland entered the season after passing for 1,094 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. His productive debut in a new offensive role adds another dimension to his developing recruiting profile and makes him an important Class of 2028 prospect for SNE to evaluate throughout the season.

Gavin Huntington-Monroe — QB — St. Johnsbury Academy — Class of 2029

Huntington-Monroe completed 21 of 29 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns in St. Johnsbury’s victory over Essex.

His scoring passes included two touchdowns to tight end Henry Semp and the 60-yard connection with McFarland.

What Stood Out: The sophomore quarterback operated an offense that scored on each of its first six possessions. Completing more than 72 percent of his attempts while surpassing 300 passing yards represented an impressive debut.

SNE Recruiting Observation: A Class of 2029 quarterback producing 310 yards and three touchdowns against varsity competition deserves immediate tracking. His accuracy, processing and ability to distribute the football should receive additional evaluation as more film becomes available.

Cole Gagnon — RB — Mount Abraham/Vergennes — Class of 2027

Gagnon rushed for 181 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries as Mount Abraham/Vergennes defeated Milton, 28–7.

What Stood Out: The senior handled a significant workload and delivered consistent production throughout the game. His opening performance followed a 2025 season in which he reportedly accumulated 1,841 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns.

Jaden Bazin — RB/DB — Bellows Falls — Class of 2028

Bazin carried the football 24 times for 253 yards and three touchdowns in Bellows Falls’ 56–49 victory over North Country.

What Stood Out: Bazin averaged more than 10 yards per carry while helping Bellows Falls survive a high-scoring game. His 253-yard performance was one of the largest verified rushing totals reported in New England during opening weekend.

SNE Recruiting Observation: Bazin entered the season following a highly productive sophomore year and immediately delivered another major performance. His combination of workload, explosive production and touchdown value makes him one of Vermont’s leading junior players to monitor.

Colby Benoit — RB — Otter Valley — Class of 2028

Benoit carried the football 18 times for 238 yards and one touchdown as Otter Valley defeated Mill River, 26–14.

His touchdown came on a 69-yard run that helped Otter Valley establish an early lead.

What Stood Out: Benoit averaged more than 13 yards per carry and created the game’s most explosive rushing play. His performance helped Otter Valley regain control after the score was tied at halftime.

SNE Recruiting Observation: Benoit’s production suggests the ability to generate chunk yardage and finish long runs. His 2026 film should be studied for his acceleration, vision and ability to run through contact.

Source: Vermont Week 1 game-ball performers

Cormiac Farrell — RB — U-32 — Class of 2029

Farrell was listed as one of Vermont’s early rushing leaders with 134 yards.

What Stood Out: Producing a 100-yard rushing performance as a sophomore immediately places Farrell among the younger Vermont players SNE should monitor during the 2026 season.

SNE Recruiting Observation: Verified measurements, complete game context and full varsity film are still needed, but early production from a Class of 2029 running back warrants continued attention.

Derek Webb — DB — Fair Haven — Class of 2027

Webb was credited with two interceptions during Vermont’s opening week.

What Stood Out: Creating two turnovers from the secondary gave Webb one of Vermont’s strongest reported defensive statistical performances.

Easton Adams Jr. — QB — Fair Haven — Graduation Class Unverified

Adams was listed with 119 passing yards during Vermont’s opening week.

Austin Williams Jr. — WR — Fair Haven — Graduation Class Unverified

Williams was listed with 41 receiving yards.

The available statistical source did not provide enough game context to support a more detailed evaluation of Adams or Williams.

Source: Vermont football statistics

Rhode Island

La Salle Academy opened its season with a 34–10 victory over North Kingstown during RIIL Injury Fund Weekend.

The official RIIL scoreboard listed a 34–10 final, while some Providence Journal social-media coverage reported the score as 34–7. SNE is using the official association result.

Complete individual statistics and graduation classes were not available through the accessible coverage, so no player-specific recruiting evaluations have been included.

What Stood Out: La Salle controlled its opening matchup against another highly regarded Rhode Island program and established itself as an important team to follow as complete regular-season competition begins.

Source: Official RIIL football results

Massachusetts

Massachusetts did not play a full MIAA regular-season schedule during the September 4–6 reporting period.

The primary opening schedule begins this week with several important matchups:

• Catholic Memorial vs. Andover
• Xaverian Brothers vs. Bishop Feehan
• St. John’s Prep vs. Central Catholic

These games should provide the first meaningful collection of Massachusetts regular-season performances and updated 2026 varsity film.

Source: Massachusetts football schedule

Connecticut

Connecticut had not begun its official CIAC regular-season schedule during this reporting period. The first CIAC contests are scheduled for September 10.

As a result, no Connecticut players were included based on verified weekend game performances.

Source: CIAC football information

Invited College Game Visits

SNE searched publicly accessible coverage for New England prospects who reported attending college football games as invited recruits during the September 4–6 weekend.

No qualifying New England player visits could be verified strongly enough for publication in this edition.

Players who attend college games as invited recruits are encouraged to tag @ScoutingNE and include the college program, date of the visit and coaching staff involved.

SNE Week 1 Top Players List

Based on verified performances reported from September 4–6, these players produced some of the most notable opening-week performances across New England:

1. Maddox McFarland — St. Johnsbury Academy, VT — Class of 2028 ATH

Nine receptions, 124 receiving yards, 52 rushing yards and three total touchdowns in a 41–12 victory.

2. Damian Wilson — Manchester Central, NH — Class of 2028 CB

Three interceptions, including an approximately 60-yard interception return for a touchdown.

3. Jaden Bazin — Bellows Falls, VT — Class of 2028 RB/DB

Rushed for 253 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries.

4. Gavin Huntington-Monroe — St. Johnsbury Academy, VT — Class of 2029 QB

Completed 21 of 29 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns.

5. Colby Benoit — Otter Valley, VT — Class of 2028 RB

Rushed for 238 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries, including a 69-yard scoring run.

6. Issac Madore — Gardiner, ME — Class of 2028 QB

Completed 9 of 16 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns.

7. Chase McGrane — Gardiner, ME — WR/DB

Caught four passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns while adding an interception.

8. Marcus Sutton — Fryeburg Academy, ME — QB/DB

Accounted for three touchdowns through a passing score, rushing score and 53-yard interception return.

9. Austin Lancaster — Skowhegan, ME — QB/DB

Threw three touchdown passes and recorded a late red-zone interception to protect a five-point victory.

10. Cole Gagnon — Mount Abraham/Vergennes, VT — Class of 2027 RB

Rushed for 181 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.

11. Carter Rand — Winthrop, ME — Class of 2027 RB

Rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.

12. Tristyan Ortiz — Winthrop, ME — Class of 2028 RB

Rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.

13. Justin Doody — Gardiner, ME — RB/Receiver

Produced 147 yards from scrimmage and two rushing touchdowns.

14. Drew Lindquist — Cony, ME — QB

Threw two touchdown passes, including the winning score with 2.9 seconds remaining.

15. Derek Webb — Fair Haven, VT — Class of 2027 DB

Recorded two interceptions during Vermont’s opening week.

Final SNE Takeaway

The opening weekend introduced several players who deserve immediate film follow-up.

Maddox McFarland demonstrated outstanding versatility while producing three touchdowns from multiple offensive alignments. Damian Wilson created New Hampshire’s biggest defensive headline with three interceptions. Vermont running backs Jaden Bazin and Colby Benoit each surpassed 200 rushing yards, while Class of 2029 quarterback Gavin Huntington-Monroe delivered a 300-yard varsity performance.

Maine also supplied a deep collection of quarterbacks, two-way athletes and running backs who performed in important situations. Issac Madore and Chase McGrane powered Gardiner’s explosive passing game, while Drew Lindquist, Oliver Odom and Cony completed one of the weekend’s most dramatic victories.

With Massachusetts and Connecticut beginning their schedules this week, the number of verified player performances and new varsity-film opportunities should increase significantly in the next SNE Weekend Report.