Vineyarders lose big to strong Berkley Somerset, 44-18

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Running back Isaac Higgins leaps over a Berkley Somerset defender. — Photo by Michael Cummo

The Martha’s Vineyard varsity football team dropped its last home game of the season to Somerset Berkley by a score of 44-18 on Friday, October 17. With the loss the team falls to 1-5 on the season and 0-3 in conference play.

It was homecoming night and the Vineyarders looked up for the challenge against Somerset Berkley, which came in undefeated. With a roaring student section, the Vineyarders jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead, thanks to a 30-yard pass from quarterback Mike Mussell to Jacob Cardoza. It was a great start for a struggling Martha’s Vineyard team, but it would not last. Somerset responded with five unanswered touchdowns and eventually cruised to victory.

The Vineyarders had opportunities to narrow the score. A 60-yard touchdown run was called back on a penalty, and Martha’s Vineyard struggled to get going again. To their credit, the Islanders never gave up. Ben Clark scored on a 10-yard run in the second half and James Sashin caught a six-yard touchdown pass from Mussell. Defensively, Austin Chandler made 19 tackles in a huge performance for the Vineyarders.

The Vineyard’s next game is at 1 pm on Saturday at Coyle & Cassidy High School.