Martha’s Vineyard beat the visiting Warriors of Coyle Cassidy High School 41-12, on the Vineyard high School’s rain soaked Dan McCarthy Field Friday. The stands were wet, the grounds were wet, the fans were wet, the cheerleaders were wet, the players and the ball were wet.
It began as a light sprinkle, but by game’s end it was a steady, if not heavy, chilling rain.
The slippery ball and the slippery grass played their own roles in the game. Of course, the teams shared equally in the sodden conditions but the Vineyard team fared better.
The Vineyarders’ opening kick went out of bounds and they had to do it over again from five yards back.
The Warriors began play from scrimmage on their own 37 after the ball carrier slipped on the wet grass. After 12 plays, Coyle scored on a one yard plunge. The rush for a two-point conversion failed and Coyle led, 6-0 with four and a half minutes remaining in the period.
The Warriors stopped the Vineyard’s bid for a TD, which came as close as the two yard line. But MV covered a Coyle fumble on the Warriors 12 yard line and tied the score five plays later on a dash by Delmont Araujo. The extra point attempt was stopped and the score was tied at 6.
The ball slipped from the grasp of the Coyle carrier on the first play to be covered by Michael Montanile, and the Vineyard was in business again from the Warriors 25. Three runs by QB Araujo ate up the yardage and put MV ahead to stay. Araujo’s pass to Ryan Fisher in the end zone added two more points: 14-6.
Next, the Islanders covered 91 yards in two plays, a 38-yard run by Ryan Fisher and a 53 yard pass play from Araujo to Brandon Watkins. The two point conversion was good and the score upped to 22-6, which was the score at the half.
The second half was not unlike the first.
The Vineyard failed to advance the ball more than four yards and was forced to punt. But Coyle fumbled again and MV resumed the offensive on the Coyle 33. A Vineyard fumble was covered by a purple shirt and Ryan Fisher lost no time in taking advantage. His scoring run was 37 yards long. The conversion kick failed.
The Vineyard’s next score was a 37 yard run by Tyler Araujo. This time the kick was good and MV led 35-6.
It was the fourth quarter and Coach Herman substituted freely. The final Vineyard TD was set up by an intercepted pass and 27 yard return by Watkins. Alex Tattersall, in for Delmont Araujo, scored on a sneak plunge from the one yard line.
The Warriors showed their moxie and managed to score a touchdown before the final whistle as QB Ryan Feeney ran into the end zone from five yards out. Final score: Martha’s Vineyard 41, Coyle Cassidy 12.
Seniors Michael Montanile and Jeremy Maciel were stalwarts on defense.
The win was the Vineyard’s first in the Eastern Athletic Conference and earned them a 1-2 overall record on the season.
Junior highs lose to Warriors, repel Raiders
The MV Junior High Football team lost to Coyle and Cassidy, 30-8, Monday, despite Mike Mussell’s considerable efforts. Mike passed for 155 yards and rushed for 44, all in the second half.
Joe Turney scored the Vineyard touchdown. Adonis Camby caught a pass from Mussell for the two-point conversion.
Sept. 21, M.V. defeated Somerset here, 16-8, holding them scoreless in the first half.
Rushing touchdowns were scored by Curtis Farrell and Ben Clark. A two point conversion followed one of the TDs. Quarterback Tucker McNeelly covered the football in the endzone after a Vineyard punt adding two more points.
Outstanding on defense were Jacob Cardoza, Conner Donnelly, and Austin Chandler.
The Jr. Highs are coached by Kevin Pigott.
Yesterday, they played at Nauset.
