An inspired Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School football team ended its season with a victory last Friday night, taking a bit of the sting out of a season cut short.

Faced with injuries and disciplinary dismissals, the regional high school decided Thursday to forfeit the end of the varsity football season, including the Island Cup.

After 12 consecutive Island Cup victories, the Vineyarders gave up the trophy to the Nantucket Whalers. Final score: 42-0.

Anything can happen at the Island Cup. The rivalry game between Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket is Saturday on the Vineyard. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

Self-discipline and calm under pressure paid off Saturday when the Vineyarders emerged victorious over Nantucket in the storied Island Cup rivalry.

On Saturday, the Vineyarders will take on the Nantucket Whalers for the 37th time in this storied rivalry for the Island Cup.

The rivalry game between the Vineyard and Nantucket football teams ended in victory for the Vineyarders, who defeated the Whalers 21-7 in a rough, penalty-filled game. Junior running back Jacob Cardoza scored two touchdowns.

The Island Cup rivalry between Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket includes blowout wins and hard-fought losses. On Saturday the Vineyarders made history by defeating Nantucket 14-0 on Whaler home turf at the Island Cup.

The coveted silver trophy is back on Martha's Vineyard, with the Vineyard football team defeating Nantucket 14-0 in the annual Island Cup Saturday. Sophomore Jacob Cardoza carried the day with two touchdowns.

For one day every year, the Island Cup trophy sits on the sidelines of a football field, where its home for the next year will be determined. For the other 364 days, the trophy sits in a case.