Junior Ben Clark notched two touchdowns and rushed for 141 yards to lead the Vineyard football team’s offensive effort Friday night as they defeated visiting Bellingham 28-0. The team now holds a 5-5 record as they head into the final game of the season, the annual Island Cup clash against Nantucket. The Island Cup takes place this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Daniel McCarthy Field.

Junior Jacob Cardoza scored a touchdown. — Ivy Ashe

On Friday, fans bundled up against the chilly temperatures to cheer on the home team.

Bellingham made a long push downfield on its first possession, but the Vineyard defense forced a turnover on downs to set up an 85-yard touchdown drive. Senior quarterback Mike Mussell capped the drive with a 12-yard completion to Clark. Clark scored his second touchdown in the second quarter on an impressive 77-yard run. Sophomore kicker James Sashin’s extra point attempts were both successful.

Up 14-0 at the half, both the defense and the offense continued to thwart Bellingham’s efforts. Senior Dan Costello nabbed a fumble recovery to break up Bellingham’s first possession, and with less than five minutes remaining in the quarter, Mussell narrowly avoided a sack, instead launching the ball to Sashin to give the team a first down. Junior Jacob Cardoza rushed the ball into the end zone two plays later. Sashin’s extra point was good.

Sophomore Lucas DeBettencourt capped the evening with a rushing touchdown after carries by senior Spencer Schofield put the Vineyard in goal territory.

The Vineyard has won its past four games and has shut out its past two opponents completely, a testament to the strength of the defensive unit. Clark and senior David Macias closed out Friday with 10 tackles each, and junior Austin Chandler and senior Liam Smith each had a sack.