WESTFIELD, Mass. – The Vermont State University Castleton football team opened its 2025 slate with a 16-12 road victory over Westfield State in a weather-shortened contest.
 
The Basics
• Final Score: VTSU Castleton 16, Westfield State 12
• Location: Alumni Field – Westfield, Mass.
• Records: Castleton 1-0 | Westfield St. 0-1
 
How It Happened
The 2025 season started off with a Tyler Buxton sack for a loss of 10 yards and a forced fumble, which was also recovered by Buxton to start the Spartan drive at 13:16.

Despite quarterback Jhai Vellon being sacked for a loss of eight yards on Castleton's first play of the game, the offense bounced back quickly as Dylan Centeno rushed for two yards and Lou Guillotte added seven receiving yards. The squad was awarded a first down on a substitution infraction, making it 1st and 10 from the Westfield 25. On the very next play, Guillotte rushed for 25 yards for the Spartans' first score of the season. Connor Chilson extended the lead to 7-0 with his extra-point kick. The drive, which took 1:56, was composed of four plays for 36 yards.

The remainder of the first quarter and the beginning of the second saw the teams trade possession back and forth, each with a punt and fumble during the span. Westfield finally made the scoreboard as they were able to string together six plays that covered 39 yards, capped off by a Curtis Dion rushing touchdown. The hosts elected to kick for the extra point, but the kick was blocked by Buxton and returned 97 yards by Brendan Driscoll for two points, helping Castleton to a 9-6 lead.

After an unsuccessful drive by the Spartan offense, the defense came up big as Alex Poli recorded a tackle for a loss of 12 yards on 3rd and 2 to force a WSU punt. Another scoreless drive by the Spartans gave the ball back to the hosts with 1:57 remaining in the first half.

The Owls found themselves in scoring position as time ran out in the second quarter, but a huge defensive stand by the Spartans preserved their 9-6 lead heading into the break, as they were able to stop the scoring opportunity with a well-defended end-zone stand.

The third quarter started with another score by the hosts to put them up 12-9 after a failed two-point conversion attempt.

Following the score, both teams struggled to get things going offensively. WSU turned the ball over on downs at 7:21 after a false start pushed them out of field goal range and forced them to go for it. The ensuing VTSU Castleton drive featured a Braden Lankarge 52-yard reception that advanced the ball to the WSU 31-yard line. Despite the huge pickup, Castleton was unable to convert and turned it over on downs, still trailing 12-9.

The hosts began putting together a drive starting at their own 30, charging downfield to the Castleton 37 before Miles Foerster fumbled the ball. It was recovered by Connor Chilson with 36 seconds remaining in the quarter.

Quarter four mirrored much of the earlier action, with neither team able to reach the end zone—until 12:15, when Castleton struck again. The tally came from Mitch Chaves, who found a wide-open Josh Peguero near the end zone. Peguero walked it in for the team's second touchdown of the day. Chilson was successful on the extra point to make it 16-12, Spartans. The drive took 3:21 and consisted of seven plays for 62 yards.

Both teams were forced to punt on their subsequent possessions. The Owls received the ball at 9:42 off a 38-yard punt by Chilson, but their drive never got off the ground as the game was immediately paused for a weather delay that would never end. Castleton claimed a 16-12 victory.
 
By the Numbers
• Coming in for an injured Vellon, Chaves accumulated 112 yards and one touchdown, with the day's longest completion of 52 yards.
• Guillotte led his squad on the ground, rushing for 43 yards on 11 attempts with one touchdown.
• Owning the squad's other score, Peguero had two receptions for 47 yards.
• Deacon Schneider led the defense with 11 total tackles—seven assisted and four solo.
• Poli, Buxton, and Brady Reed also had strong appearances. Poli had one tackle for a loss of 12 yards, while Buxton and Reed each accumulated tackles for a loss of 10 yards apiece.
• Chilson was two-for-two on PATs and had three kickoffs for 137 yards.
 
What's Next
Castleton will play host to Norwich University on Saturday as it opens its home slate with a 12 p.m. Sap Bucket matchup.