For the first time since 2015 Vineyard football has a winning streak. The cannon at Dan McCarthy Field shot out into the Friday night sky following each Vineyard touchdown and again as the clock hit double zero marking the team’s 22-8 victory over the Southbridge Pioneers.

After falling behind by a touchdown, the Vineyard dug in, stood their ground, gnashed their mouthguards and made a statement.

On the next possession junior quarterback Zach Smith marched the offense promptly into Pioneer territory and led the way to the endzone for the first of three Vineyard rushing touchdowns. Smith then found Owen Metell open in the endzone for a two point conversion, evening the score at eight apiece.

For the remainder of the contest, the Vineyarders played rugged defense and continued to grind their opponents into the ground on offense. Offensive lineman turned fullback Hunter Meader rumbled for 93 yards on 13 carries while speedsters Jayden Coyle and Antone Moreis combined for over 100 yards rushing.

On defense, Meader made an impact as one of the defense’s top tacklers, with four solo tackles and assists on two others. He was also one of three Vineyard defenders with an interception. Braden Sayles snagged his team-high third pick of the season to close out the victory.

Earlier that Friday the field hockey team took on Falmouth in a contest that came down to be a tale of two halves. After Charlotte Packer put the Vineyard ahead by a goal in the first, victory seemed to be within the grasp. But two goals by the Clippers in less than a minute into the second half proved to be the difference, and the Vineyard fell by a 2-1 margin.

The girls bounced back on Monday, though, with a commanding win over divisional adversary Sturgis West by a score of 6-0. Senior captain Skyla Harthcock blazed the path to victory with a hat trick, scoring twice in the first half, then again in the second, padding an already comfortable lead.

With the win, the Vineyard improved to 2-3-1 overall and 2-0 within their division. On Friday they’ll be tested against Nauset at home. Start time is set for 3 p.m.

On Saturday the boys soccer team went toe to toe with division II powerhouse Concord-Carlisle. While the Vineyarders fell 2-0 to the Patriots, they showed they could compete with one of the best squads in the division above them.

On Tuesday the boys finished in a 2-2 draw against Sandwich. The team is in for another challenge on Thursday when undefeated Nauset, the top team in the Atlantic Division, comes to the Island for an afternoon match scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m.

The girls soccer team wrapped up a four-game homestand with a 2-1 victory over division-leading Sandwich on Tuesday. After prevailing as victors, they remain undefeated within the Atlantic Division and gained momentum heading into another divisional match Thursday away against Nauset.

Earlier in the week, the girls faced two non-league opponents. They tied 1-1 against the Rising Tide Herons of Plymouth on Thursday and fell 1-0 to Bedford on Saturday morning.

The cross country team stayed on pace in their third meet of the season as they raced against a deep Nauset team on the road Tuesday afternoon. While the Vineyard runners are not at full strength due to injuries, the boys still left the Cape victorious but the girl’s efforts came up just short.

Coach Joe Schroeder is not worried about the severity of his team’s injuries. He said he expects everyone to be healthy again within the next two weeks.

The golf team had another defiant week as they bested Sandwich at Farm Neck Thursday by five strokes to claim victory. On Monday afternoon, familiar foe Bishop Stang came to town and tied the Vineyard 262 all. On Tuesday the boys traveled to Cummaquid Golf Club in Yarmouth Port for a match against Barnstable. The Vineyard played the unfamiliar par 36 course well, emerging triumphant against the Red Raiders by two strokes, 257-259.

With only one loss so far, the young Vineyard golfers remain one of the top teams in their division, behind undefeated Nantucket. Coach Doug Debettencourt’s squad is looking to claim their eighth victory of the season Thursday afternoon at home against Falmouth. Varsity tees off at 3 p.m.