Sports Highlights
By Ralph Stewart - November 10, 2005
MV downs Cape Tech
The Vineyard defense forced two third-quarter turnovers to break open a close game in an efficient 26-7 humbling of Cape Tech, Saturday in Harwich.
First Dan Amabile scooped up a Crusader fumble, sprinting 41 yards to the end zone. And then Ross Willey picked off a Tech pass on the next series to set up a 45-yard TD strike from Ryan Rossi to Matt Lucier that sealed the deal.
The Vineyarders avenged a brutal loss to the Crusaders last year, with balanced and solid play in all facets of the game. They scored on special teams, on offense, and on defense.
John Swan started the scoring with a 45-yard punt return in the first quarter. A high snap caused MV to try for two, but to no avail.
The Islanders put together a nine-play, 47-yard drive on their next possession. Tristan Atwood, a standout on both sides of the ball, rushed for 25 yards in the drive, including a bruising four-yard run for the TD to make it 12-0, MV. Again, the two-pointer failed.
Cape Tech made a key change on offense to get back into the game before halftime. James Hamilton, ineffective as the starting QB, moved to tailback and piled up over 50 yards in a 59-yard drive, drawing the Crusaders to within five at 12-7.
The Vineyarders responded immediately, with Ryan Rossi completing three straight passes to John Swan and Josh Paulsen in a no-huddle attack. The drive stalled as Rossi was sacked and a completion to Tony Cortez was called back for holding.
After the break, Cape Tech continued to hand-off to Hamilton and gobble up yards. The one time they used Nick Gallerani, Tony Cortez jarred the ball loose and Dan Amabile put the visitors up 19-7 to stay.
The Vineyarders improved to 2-1 in the Mayflower League Large and 5-3 overall. Ironically, the Purple were in the awkward position of rooting for a Nantucket victory against league leaders South Shore, if they were to see any playoff action this year. Vineyard hopes were dashed as the Vikings rallied to a 22-8 win, completing an island sweep. South Shore beat MV 13-7 last week.
The next varsity contest is Saturday in Taunton against Bristol-Plymouth. Game time is 12:30.
Youth Hockey
The Vineyard Pee-Wees beat Barnstable Black 3-0, behind two goals from Tyler Araujo and a goal and two assists from Kyle Francis.
In Squirts action, the Purple team downed Lower Cape 3-2 in a well-played contest. Tyson Araujo lit the lamp twice and Conner Chisholm set up Harrison Rodrigues for the other goal.
The Squirt White team was superb in a 4-1 win over Yarmouth-Dennis. Andrew Carroll, Jake Hart, Kyp Cooperrider, and Kyle Stobie were the goal-scorers, while messrs. Stobie and Dylan Lyonnais earned assists.
Emerson Mahoney and Brian Johnson notched a hat trick apiece in a second successive weekend sweep for the Open Mites over Nantucket. The final scores were 11-4 and 7-3.
The Vineyard under 14 girls, coached by Jim Kelleher and Liam O' Callahan, opened their season against Falmouth, losing 6-5 and 4-1.
Phoebe Kelleher had the first two goals in game one with both assists to Maggie Johnson. Gillian O' Callahan potted the next pair with help from Mary Vogel and Maggie Johnson scored unassisted. Maggie also had the lone goal in game two, assisted by Olivia Cimeno.
On Sunday, the girls traveled to Orleans, losing to a Cape Cod all-star team, 5-2. Jamie Forend was fabulous between the pipes, stopping 50 shots.
Gillian O' Callahan and Phoebe Kelleher had the goals; the two Olivias, Cimeno and Hingman, assisted.
All girls under the age of 14 are invited to join the program. Any interested sponsors are welcome. Please contact Kurt Mundt 508-693-5329 or Jim Kelleher 508-627-7487.
Cross-Country
The Vineyard harriers competed in the Massachusetts Coaches' Invitational Meet last Saturday at the Wrentham Developmental Center. The event is a warm-up for the State Class Meet on Nov. 12
Allison Flanders led the way in the junior/senior race with a finish of 19:53 on the 3.1-mile course, good for 4th place overall.
Edison Parsanese finished 9th for the boys in 16:55, followed by Jackson Parker (15th) in 17:10.
Sophomores Lucas Emin (18:47, 17th) and Evan Kendall (19:49, 43rd), helped the sophomore team to a 9th place score of 173. Liz Reed finished in 23:46 (55th) for the sophomore girls.
The freshman ran a 1.9-mile course, with Hilary Dreyer (4th), Kim Carlomagno (52nd), Sarah Flanders (60th), Laura Jernigan (87th), and Lisa Gowl (152nd), having the top five Island times in a 7th place, 174-point performance.
JV Football
The Vineyarders completed a sweep of Cape Tech with a 21-0 win in Harwich, Monday.
Joel Rebello caught a TD pass from Ben Rossi and ran 35 yards for a second score.
Kevin Walsh added another 35-yarder for the final TD.
All 39 players logged a good amount of playing time. Robert "Bubba" Brown, Paul Bagnall, and Thomas "Peanut" Fantasia were outstanding on defense. QB Mike McCarthy and the offensive line were also strong. "Over all, a tremendous team effort," JV Head Coach Ryan Ruley said.
The next JV contest is 10 am Saturday at Bristol-Plymouth.
Junior High Football
The Purple left the Red Raiders red in the face with a 12-0 win in Barnstable, Nov 2., improving to 4-0-1 on the season.
The Vineyard defense did not allow Barnstable a lone first down. Mark Nickawal had a sack, fumble recovery, and a blocked punt.
On offense, Eric Dolliver rushed for 80 yards and two TD's. The juniors played at home yesterday against Nauset.
RCBL Correction
The start of the 20th RCBL season was incorrectly listed as Nov. 7 is last week's Times. Opening night is this Monday, Nov. 14 at the Martha's Vineyard Boys and Girls Club. The Legends (Julius Middleton, Captain) take on the Patriots (Sandy Fisher, Capt.) at 6:15 and the defending champion Timbervolves (Chris Joyce, Capt.) play the Lakers (Heath Estrella, Capt.) at 8 pm.
Teams are still looking for more players. Anyone interested in signing up is invited to opening night and may speak with any of the captains or Jerry Maciel.
