The Vineyarders and Whalers renewed their long rivalry on the soccer field this past week. The boys’ team traveled to the Grey Lady to turn back a hostile crowd and defeat a talented team, while the girls lost a tight yet ultimately frustrating game to the Whalers at home.
After defeating the Whalers last week, the boys’ golf team followed with an up-and-down week, beating Mashpee on the road, losing a nail-biter to Old Rochester at home and then winning a match at Sturgis.
The Vineyard football team passed its second test of the season on Saturday, defeating a dangerous opponent on the road in Carver High School by 14-0 to remain undefeated on the young season.
For the second week in a row, the Vineyarders found themselves locked in a tight battle to bitter end. After beating Old Rochester 7-0 in their home opener last week, the Vineyarders on Saturday again led only a single score going into the fourth quarter when Nick Viera scored on a 45-yard punt return to seal the win.
It wasn’t a score-fest like Sunday’s game between the New England Patriots and New York Jets, but the regional high school football team’s 7-0 win over Old Rochester in the home opener Friday was equally impressive.
The Vineyarders’ defense shut down the potent Bulldogs attack, while the offense did not turn the ball over all game.
With two wins already under their belt, the high school golf team is off to a fast start.
Anchored by Tony Grillo, arguably the best young golfer in the state, who recently won his second consecutive Massachusetts junior championship, many already are calling the team a lock to make the state tournament.
But in the match-play style of high school golf, even the most talented player cannot carry a team alone.
According to coach Doug DeBettencourt, young Grillo won’t have to.
As August heat gives way to the cooler temperatures of fall, so too changes the sporting landscape of the Vineyard.
In recent weeks, beach volleyball and recreational league softball have been replaced by high school football, cross country and field hockey. Eight teams compete in six sports during the fall high school sports season, more than any other season.
From back swings to forechecks to half-back options, the signs of autumn are everywhere.
There was no fighting to the top this year. No tooth and nail-clawing to inch past the next-highest class rank, no daily status updates with the guidance department computer system, no strategic scheduling of classes to yield a higher-weighted grade point average, regardless of interest in the subjects.