Sports

By Don Lyons - November 22, 2006

The Cup runneth over, stays here

For the fourth year in a row, the Vineyard defeated Nantucket, its primary and longest standing opponent. The final score was 47-22. The combined total of 69 points was the highest in the 60-year history of The Game. Forty-seven was a high water mark for the Vineyard in the annual showdown.

M.V. fumbled on the first play from scrimmage, handing the ball to the Whalers. Nantucket returned the compliment and the ball on the very next play.

M.V. then embarked on a 50-yard march in five plays, culminating in an Alan Fortes's one-yard plunge.

Zach Coutinho's kick was wide and the score remained 6-0.

Nantucket began their offense on their own 30, but lost the ball on the 40.

Fortes rumbled 20 yards, then for five more and a face mask penalty moved the ball to the Whalers five from where David Amabile carried it in. Josh Paulson's run gave the Vineyard two more.

Before the first quarter was over Nantucket put eight points on the board. A pass from Geddes Paulsen to Delroy Lawrence was good for six and another from Paulsen to Andriques Farmer added two more. After 10 minutes the score was 14-8.

The second quarter began with a 17-yard scoring run by Amabile and a PAT by Coutinho.

The Whalers gave up the ball again and soon a Mike McCarthy pass to Matt Lucier put M.V. up 27-8. Coutinho's kick made it 28.

Before the period was over, Nantucket's John O'Mara found the end zone and at the half it was Martha's Vineyard 28, Nantucket 14.

The third quarter was scoreless, but two minutes into the fourth period, Amabile scored his third TD on a nine-yard dash and Coutinho's kick was good for the PAT.

With five minutes left in the game, QB McCarthy scored on a keeper from four yards out. Two minutes later, O' Mara scored for the home team and a pass from Paulsen to Mark Dwyer added two more points.

The final six points came at the end of a long run by Amabile, his fourth TD of the day.

Josh Paulson ran for 123 yards, David Amabile for 85, and Alan Fortes for 72. Mike McCarthy was four for five in passing to four different receivers.

The Vineyard picked up 15 first downs, a dozen by rushing, two through the air, and one by a penalty.

According to one sailor on the ferry, 631 Vineyarders made the trip, appropriately on the MV Martha's Vineyard.

Jayvees, the spirit of 76

Preceding The Game, the junior varsities faced off in a 76-point, 44-32 thriller. A speedster named Hakeem Lecky, listed in the program as a sophomore on the varsity, took the opening kick-off 90 yards to put Nantucket up just 10 seconds into the game. The two-point extra point effort was good. 8-0.

It took the Vineyarders five plays to put their own TD on the board, and the scrap was on. The Vineyard picked up two points on a safety and scored another touchdown to go ahead, 16-8.

Lecky repeated his game-opening field-long dash and it was 16-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Both teams scored in the second frame and at the half Martha's Vineyard enjoyed a two-point advantage, 28-26.

Three plays into the third period M.V. lengthened its lead to 36-26, The Whalers responded to draw within four, 36-32.

But JV Head Coach Ruley's roughnecks had the last word. Erik Dolliver ran for three touchdowns and Steve Handy threw to Nick Gross for another. Extra points were scored by Cody Brewer and Matt Costello. Coach Ruley called the game "the most exciting sports event I have ever been part of." Proud of the team's efforts, he credits assistant coaches Jason O'Donnell, Mike Snowden, Phil Hughes, and Tom Betsch for much of the team's success.

We say, Ryan didn't do a bad job either.

Cheerleaders urged the Vineyarders on.

Mark Nickowal upped the ante in the fourth quarter.

Go Vineyard, Go!

The tennis Turkey Open

Forty tennis players participated in the annual three-day Turkey Open at the M.V. Tennis Center at the airport this past weekend, a benefit for the Vineyard Project, the Island's summer camp for kids with Aids.

In the men's doubles A level, Eli Dubin and Adam Bresnick defeated Chris Forbes and Doug Cooper 6-2, 6-1.

Eli Dubin paired with Eve Suhr to take the mixed doubles A and B levels prize, squeezing by Susie Safford and Tony Omer, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6).

In the mixed doubles B level, Brad Berryhill and Sarah Just got by Rich Kugler and Cathy Lattanzi, 7-6 (7-5) and 6-1.

At C level, Carmen Wilson and Sharon Spinney outlasted Patricia Hayes and Rob Gilbert with a super tie-breaker, 6-2, 1-6, 10-2.

Flags

The junior and senior girls faced off in a flag football game under the lights, Thursday, won by the seniors on a safety, 2-0. Both teams scored touchdowns but referee Donald Herman waved them off.

"We loved it. It was great for bonding." Nina Butler told The Times.

The seniors were coached by Mike Cecilio, Taylor Pierce, Bastille Lucier, Alan Fortes, and Tyler Hathaway.

In the Juniors' corner were coaches Robert Brown, Jwann Johnson, and Mike O'Donoghue.

Round, urethane, and rolls

In the third annual MV Skatepark Competition, Saturday, 17-year-old Steven Sullivan took the gold in the senior division of skaters 17 years and older. Steve Corell, 23, was second and Vaughn Rusillo, 17, was third.

In the 14-16 age group, Micah Thanhauser, 16, was first followed by (2) Eric Fletcher, (3) Caleb Costas, and (4) Ben Luckey.

Wesley Groover, 12, and 10-year-old Felix Tucker finished in a dead heat at the top of the 10-13 division. Jacob Lawrence and Daniel Henderson, both 12, were tied at second. Adam Costas, 11, was third.

In the youngest category, 9 and under, 5-year-old Sean Haggerty took the blue ribbon; 6-year-old Miles Albert the red. Josiah Barbosa, not yet four years old, was third.

According to Elaine Barse of the Green Room, the event was well attended and raised $893 for the Skatepark.

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