The Vineyard rolled over Nantucket Saturday in the annual Island Cup game by a final score of 48-6 in a contest that was easily decided by the second quarter and even more lopsided than the final score indicated.

With the win, the Vineyarders continued their recent string of dominance over the Whalers in the storied rivalry. They have won five straight Island Cups and eight out of the last nine.

Fullback Josh Paulson powered the Vineyarders with two rushing touchdowns and a third through the air as receiver. Quarterback Mike McCarthy also had a hat trick, rushing for two touchdowns and throwing for another.

The game was close through the first quarter when the Vineyarders scored only once on a six-yard run by Paulson. Nantucket even recovered a fumble and drove the ball to the Vineyard 40-yard line.

But the Vineyarders put the game out of reach in the second quarter when they scored three touchdowns in a span of less then 90 seconds. Nick Gross started the scoring when he intercepted a pass from Whalers quarterback Chris Welch and ran it back 24 yards for a touchdown.

Following the win, coach Donald Herman said his team played well.

“The players were aware of what was on the line and they responded. This team had a lot of seniors, so it was an emotional win for the kids playing their last game [as Vineyarders]. They were part of a team that has now won five straight [Island Cups] . . . they made history today.”

A complete story about the Island Cup game and more photographs will appear in the Friday Gazette.