VINEYARDERS defeat South Shore 42-22 and claim MLL title outright with gusto
OCT 14 2008, OAK BLUFFS – The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School football team’s Mayflower Large finale was sealed in a three minute fury. The Vineyarders drubbed South Shore Voke 42-22 last night, clinching the division title outright and adding luster to a season that will include at least one Division 3A Eastern Massachusetts playoff game.

Meanwhile, quarterback Mike McCarthy carried 13 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first Vineyarder to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in a season since Ben Higgins in 1997. He has 1,022 total. McCarthy also threw for 48 yards and two scores last night. At 9-1 overall and a perfect 6-0 in the ML, MV has won eight straight going into the Nov. 22 Island Cup game against Nantucket.

The Vineyarders and South Shore (6-4, 2-3) traded scores in the surprisingly tight first half. MV scored within 30 seconds on it's second play of the game with Cody Brewer striking first for MV, running for a 63-yard touchdown. But the Vikings ground it out toughly, as MV had trouble tackling the slashing Paul Sullivan and Mike Mugavero. After a South Shore TD, McCarthy punched it in from a yard out. After another grind it out offensive drive, the Vikings scored again easily to make 14-14 with only 1:15 in front of a large and surprised Vineyard crowd (the hot dogs and cheeseburgers - the best in the league, no question - were sold out before halftime).

In the next three minutes, Martha's Vineyard showed why they are wowing opposing coaches. Brewer (6 carries for 128 yards - powerball!) took the kickoff 56 yards and three plays later with 45 ticks left, Nick Gross caught a 15-yard scoring pass from McCarthy to make it 22-14 MV in only 30 seconds, leaving the Vikes stunned at the break. Budda-bing! just like that.

The Vineyarders then caused a fumble on SS's first 2nd half play followed by a 55-yard score by Brewer, highlighted with a brilliant block from Randall Jette (who was amazing with down field blocking technique all night); an interception on SS's very next play by Matt Costello, who returned it 30 yards, then caught a 20-yard TD pass from McCarthy; and shortly thereafter the purple and white put it away for good, completing a 20-point third quarter with a 4th and 1 pounder by McCarthy.

A masterful performance by a strong offensive line led by center Christian Flanders, while Zach Maciel had a field day on defense, and the versatile Brewer made seven tackles on defense.

Congrats to Coach Herman, Bill Belcher, Steve and Mike McCarthy, and staff in the last Mayflower League game, a league they have dominated in the last decade (7 of the last 11). Every MLL title goes through the Rock. Besides the MLL, MV has the best playoff game record on the Cape and SE Mass (3 titles, 7 appearances - NOTE: not overlooking great earlier 91 and 92 back-to-back champion teams, just looking at last decade), as well. SO, Norm - "Just WIN, Baby!" Two more!

Watching the wire, the question most asked is: can we host a playoff game? It's a neutral site to be announced, and we also overheard the D3 Super Bowls are at Stonehill College this year, not Foxboro. MV will now play the winner of the Boston North Conference. South Boston's record is almost a mirror of 9-1 MV (and with common opponents B-P 20-14 and Charlestown last night 34-0 wins), winning last eight, but if East Boston beats them on Turkey Day, it's up to past history on tie-breakers. In the other semi are: Cape Ann - Newburyport (won last five for 5-0 league record, lost first five to have weird 5-5 overall) got by Georgetown 27-26 to seal that league (8-1, only loss to 'Porters); Boston North - ; in the Commonwealth Large, Haverhill's Whittier (7-2, 3-0) has locked that up there. So there ya go, toss the coin and get ready.

VINEYARDERS defeat Blue Hills 28-12, earn league share, head to D3A playoffs, Read Cape Cod Times report here.
And another CC Times report here (wow - two on one day!)
And MV reached the front page of Boston.com High School Sports