The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School football team fell to the Nantucket Whalers Tuesday at Fenway Park during the 44th annual Island Cup.
After missing a game-winning field goal with two seconds to go in the fourth quarter, the Vineyarders were unable to capitalize in the overtime period, losing 22-14.
The game kicked off a series of high school rivalry games being held at the Red Sox stadium, a change from the usual venue at the Island high schools.
Prior to the game, both teams arrived on their buses and filed into the ballpark around the same time to their separate respective entrances. It was still drizzling after a day of steady rain.
Hundreds of Islanders traveled to Boston to watch the game, packing the stands.
Ten minutes before kick-off, the Whalers and Vineyarders were introduced with their respective pre-game hype videos to loud, cheering fans. Colors were presented by the Duke’s County Sheriff’s Office as the Minnesingers and Nantucket High School’s Accidentals and Naturals joined together to sing the national anthem.
The nail-biter started slowly. In the first half, the Vineyarders struggled to find their groove, with Nantucket dominating the overall play. The first touchdown of the day was scored by Whaler David Guillen-Taveras, who punched in a two-yard run.
The disjointed first half led to six punts overall from both teams combined. Nearing the end of the second quarter the Vineyard saw their first real chance at a touchdown, but were unable to capitalize as the pass was incomplete in the end zone.
During halftime, both Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard dancers got the chance to showcase their skills with chants, leaps and turns. Martha’s Vineyard combined the high school cheer team and the dance team sponsored by RISE for a routine of dancing and tumbling.
The Vineyarders gained momentum at the start of the second half, converting their first third down attempt of the game, with William Nicholson running 12 yards for a touchdown.
The point after attempt was wide left, putting the score at 7-6 Whalers. That momentum was quickly smothered when Whaler Eli MacIver ran 45 yards for a touchdown seconds later, putting Nantucket up 14-6.
The game swung the Vineyarders’ way yet again, with Guilherme Oliveira scoring a touchdown for the Vineyard. Oliveira then jump-passed it to Syius Rivera to tie the game with a key two-point conversion with around 8 minutes left to play.
Fans on both sides were anxiously watching as the clock ticked down. With a chance for the Vineyarders to win the game in the last two seconds of regulation, Victor DeSouza — who kicked the game-winning field goal in last year’s Island Cup — missed a 27-yard attempt. The kick went wide right, sending the game into overtime, where both teams got a chance to score with the ball at the 10-yard line.
Nantucket started with possession. Whaler Arann Hanlon rushed the ball in for a touchdown, and converted the two point conversion, putting Nantucket in the lead 22-14.
The Vineyarders had a chance to respond but were setback with penalties and a strong defensive effort from the Whalers.
Players and fans didn’t have much time following the game to soak up the atmosphere under the lights of Fenway Park. After the final whistle blew, the buses were ready to roll for everyone to catch the last boats back to their respective Islands.
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