Sports Highlights

By Don Lyons - November 8, 2007

Junior High gridders take two

The Vineyard's junior high football team traveled to Barnstable on Wednesday, Oct. 24, to take on the Mattacheese middle school and came away with a heart-pounding 18-14 win by scoring 12 points in the final two minutes.

The Vineyard put the first points on the board when Chris Parsons, who had an MVP-type game, carried into the end zone from 15 yards out. The try for a two-point conversion went awry as Alec Tattersall's pass was intercepted and returned the length of the field - two points for Mattacheese.

The Raiders scored two touchdowns, adding a dozen to their account and sat on what seemed a game-deciding advantage, 14-6, with few minutes left in the fourth quarter.

But Alec Tattersall found Zion Morris in the end zone and the lead shrank to 14-12. The try for two extra points to tie the game failed.

Mattacheese took possession of the ball deep in their own territory and tried to run out the clock. With fourth down and five yards to go for a first, they elected to forego a punt. On the next play, Joe Tripp sacked the quarterback and stripped him of the ball. Max Moreis quickly covered it.

And the Vineyard had a chance. With nine seconds left on the game clock, Jeremy Maciel carried nine yards to pay dirt and the jubilant Islanders claimed the win.

Naught for Nauset

The M.V. junior high football team entertained Nauset under the lights at Dan McCarthy Field, Tuesday, and treated the young Warriors to a 14-0 beating.

The Vineyard's first TD was by Alec Tattersall on a one-yard keeper. A dash by Chris Parsons added two extra points.

The second M.V. touchdown was by Jeremy Maciel, who ran into the end zone from 10 yards out.

Michael Montanile was outstanding on defense, Delmar Araujo celebrated his first quarterback sack.

The win boosted the Island junior high record to 4-2.

Their next and final game is with Nantucket on November 17.

MV Youth Hockey

Saturday's nor'easter caused the cancellation of weekend games.

In a Neponset Valley League game played at Driscoll Arena in Fall River, Sunday, Hetland defeated the MVYH Squirts, 6-2. Dorian Johnson scored both of the M.V. goals. Austin Morley assisted.

Coach Mick Vukota remarked, "incredible defense by Barry MacDonald and Aubrey Ashmun."

Also Sunday, the Cape and Island Squirts (another team) defeated Nantucket at the M.V. Arena, 3-2.

Greg McCarron and Josh Forend (2) had the goals. Shay Sullivan was credited with one assist, Tristan Araujo with two.

Only three minor penalties, all for tripping, were called on the Vineyarders.

Coach Bill Jacobs lauded Thalysson Ribeiro and awarded him the game puck "for outstanding play in his second win as team goal tender."

The game was a confidence booster for the C&I Squirts already immersed in the inter-Island rivalry.

Gen

Genevieve Flanders of Chilmark, a distance runner throughout her high school years and before, is still going strong, now on the Hamilton College cross-country team. Hamilton was 10th in a 16-team field at the N.Y. State Collegiate Championships at Saratoga Springs. Gen was the fourth runner on the Hamilton team, completing the 5,000-meter course in 19:58.

Ollies at skate park

The M.V. Skate Park Association will hold its third competition at the skate park next to the ice arena, Saturday.

Pre-registration forms are available at The Green Room, Main Street, Vineyard Haven. The registration fee is $10. All monies go to benefit the park.

Registration begins at noon at the park and competition starts at 1 pm. Helmets are required. Food and drink will be provided to skaters by a variety of sponsors.

Rain date is Sunday.

Youth Basketball

M.V. Youth Basketball League players, coaches, referees, and parent volunteers may still register at the league's web site www.mvhoop.com.

The first MVYBL games will be played by 7th and 8th graders at the Edgartown school and the Boys & Girls Club, Friday, Dec. 1.

The registration door will close Friday, Nov. 16.

XC at Wrentham

Members of the MVRHS cross-country team were at Wrentham, Sunday, for the Coaches Invitational, a "warm-up" for the Eastern Divisional Championships at Franklin Park, Boston.

Junior and senior boys and girls meets were not scored due to conflict with SATs.

The M.V. sophomore boys showed their heals to the opposition. Only Hopkinton came close - 50-52. Freshman Willie Nevin, continuing to improve, ran with the sophs. Megan Dreyer finished 8th in the freshman girls race.

Coach Schroeder was gratified with the teams' showing.