Thanksgiving comes early when Vineyard visits
BY STEVE SHEPPARD
Throw out the records and forget about who has played whom. There will be two games of note in the sporting world this Saturday afternoon: Harvard/Yale and our own epic contest, Nantucket versus the Vineyard.

The battle for the Island Cup is, thankfully, a home game this year, with the Whalers hoping to regain possession of the coveted trophy that the Vineyard has held for the last three years. The game has added significance this year in that both teams are out of the playoff hunt, and island pride will be a prime motivator.

"If you looked at it pre-season, we were both looking at making the playoffs," said Martha's Vineyard head coach Don Herman, who is in his 19th year as leader of the purple men. In that time, he is 10-8 in Island Cup games, with the Vineyard winning 6 of the last 7, and 7 of the last 9 matchups.

The tides have turned since the first Island Cup was played in 1978 as a way to generate interest in the new rivalry. (Yes, believe it or not, the team that once raised blood levels on this side of the Sound was Provincetown.) Nantucket has moved into the Mayflower Small division, while the Vineyard, once the weaker team, has developed into a power in the Mayflower Large division, and were it not for this year's juggernaut Cape Cod Tech, which has rolled over all its opponents, the Vineyard, with a 7-3 record, could be gearing up for another Super Bowl appearance. As could the Whalers, whose loss to West Bridgewater prevented them from capturing the Mayflower Small title.

The history of the Cup reveals the changing fortunes of both teams. Nantucket won the first seven contests, from 1978 to 1984, and was 11-2 in Island Cup games through 1990. The Vineyard has bridged the gap in the ensuing years, so that the tally now stands at Nantucket 17 - Martha's Vineyard 11. The last three Nantucket wins were in 1996 (a 13-7 overtime victory), 1998 and 2002. The Whalers hope to add one more to the win column in this, the 29th Island Cup game.

The Whalers enter Saturday's game as underdogs once again, a consequence that doesn't bother coach Vito Capizzo. "It's going to be a dogfight," he promises. "We've got to show up for this one."

Nantucket is on a roll entering the contest, winning its last four games.

The Vineyard comes into the game with momentum as well, winning its last three games and four of its last five. Its three losses came against larger schools Pembroke and Middleboro, along with the aforementioned Cape Cod Tech. Players to watch are quarterback Mike McCarthy, and third year players Dave Amabile (running back and safety), Allen Fortes (linebacker and fullback), Mike Cecilio (guard and defensive end) and Bastile Lucier (defensive tackle). "The Vineyard's very physical defensively," Capizzo noted. "We have a lot of respect for them."

Emotions on both sides are quite real. It is island against island, and bragging rights are definitely at stake. The winner, after all, gets to keep the trophy until next year's battle.

And no matter where the game is played, the territory isn't really hostile. Herman is looking forward to his visit, and likens the feel to games he took part in during his high school years in Georgia. "I just thoroughly enjoy the atmosphere," he said. "I really appreciate the way the Nantucket community supports the team. It's an exciting experience for all involved."

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