A sold out ferry boat filled with Vineyard fans embarked early this morning for Nantucket. But the early excitement has been quickly dimmed as a strong Nantucket team struck first and then kept scoring throughout the first half.

At the half it is 29-0 in favor of Nantucket.

The game began with a moment of silence for legendary Nantucket coach Vito Capizzo, who led the team for 45 seasons. Coach Capizzo died this past May, and as a tribute the Vineyard players are wearing his initials on their helmets.

But once the game started Nantucket was silent no more.

The Whalers put their first points on the board with a safety afer an errant Vineyard snap sailed into the endzone. This was followed up soon after by a touchdown when Nantucket receiver Torane Burton caught a nine-yard pass from quarterback Malique Bodden in the back right corner of the end zone to put the score at 9-0.

And the damage wasn’t done. Victor Gamberoni ran one in from midfield to put the score at 16-0, and then he scored another touchdown to make it 23-0.

And that was just the first quarter.

As the clouds rolled in and the wind picked up during the second quarter the Nantucket scoring machine slowed down a bit. Just one more touchdown was added to the lead when Cameron Bartlett caught a six-yard pass to put Nantucket up 29-0, as the teams headed into the locker room for halftime.

Out in the stands the Vineyard fans remained positive or at least cheerful. "We may not be winning the game but we are winning the fan battle," said senior Sam Cranston.

Piper Murphy, mom to cheerleader Mary Crandall, agreed. "I'm still excited to be here," she said. "I love the spirit on both sides."