Sports
By Don Lyons
Published: October 2, 2008
Gridiron home opener is a rout
The Martha's Vineyard Regional High School football varsity welcomed Bishop Connolly to the Mayflower Large League with a 43-0 pasting, Friday, under threatening skies. In fact, the rain held off until the fourth quarter.
All of the points were scored in the first half.
The handwriting was on the wall early. Cody Brewer took the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Mike McCarthy ran into the end zone for two extra points and the Vineyard led, 8-0, before the coin that had been tossed had a chance to settle in the referee's pocket.
Photos by Ralph Stewart
Following Brewer's punt, the Cougars began on their own 25. After three plays they had made no advance against a swarming Vineyard defense and punted to the Martha's Vineyard 48.
Two McCarthy runs advanced the ball to the Connolly 35. A pass to Matt Costello moved the line of scrimmage to the five from where McCarthy trotted into the end zone. Brooks Billingham, who would extend his perfect PAT streak with five conversions, made it 15-0.
An onside kick was covered by Bp. Connolly on their own 40. After a failed pass, Zack Maciel sacked the quarterback. Then Costello intercepted a pass.
On the next play, McCarthy threw to a streaking Costello. The scoring play covered 80 yards. Billingham's kick made it 22-0.
In the next series, a roughing the kicker penalty gave the Cougars an extra chance to move the ball but not against the Purple D and the Cougars punted to the Martha's Vineyard 32. Costello ran 28 yards to the Connolly 40. McCarthy was sacked then threw a pass that was intercepted. The first quarter ended with the Cougars in possession on their own 10 yard line.
At the beginning of the second quarter the Islanders covered 36 yards in five plays, runs by Costello, Brewer, Gross, McCarthy. Nick Gross did the honors from the two.
Martha's Vineyard scored on its next possession moving from their own 44 and finishing with a TD pass to Randall Jette. Dillingham (ho hum) made it 36-0.
The final Martha's Vineyard touchdown came after Bp. Connolly punted to Randall Jette on the Martha's Vineyard 36. Just before he was tackled, Jette handed off to Lamar Moreis who dashed 42 yards for the score. Dillingham added the final Martha's Vineyard point.
Coach Herman cleared his bench in the second half, instructing his players not to rush the punter. The scrubs, many of whom are underclassmen, played the Connolly varsity to a standstill, who, it must be said, never gave up trying to move the ball and avoid a whitewash.
Surely, the mismatch was obvious and gave evidence that at least for football, Bishop Connolly does not belong in the Mayflower Large. With 370 students, it should find a more appropriate home in the Mayflower Small with Chatham and Nantucket, for instance.
The Vineyarders are at Holbrook, Friday, for a 3:30 start.
Fibber reaches finale
Chris "Fibber" Magee of Vineyard Haven, driver of the number 71 Pro Stock 2008 Dodge Charger, will compete in the season-ending World Series of Speedway Racing at Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, Conn., on October 17, 18, and 19.
More than 400 race cars in 14 divisions compete in the annual event.
After qualifying 10th and posting a top-five finish in last Thursday's 30-lap feature at TIS, Chris feels he is ready to run up front again on the .625-mile paved oval.
