BOSTON – The legendary Island Cup has just written a new chapter in its history.
One of New England’s most storied high school football rivalries was brought to Boston on Tuesday as the Vineyarders and Nantucket Whalers descended on Fenway Park for the 44th edition of the Island Cup and the 75th meeting in the two islands’ shared football history came.
As the two football teams rose to baseball’s elite, there was a sense of awe and perhaps fate, because whoever wins this game will have bragging rights for years to come. At kickoff, that right was still on the Vineyarders’ side over Nantucket – the Vineyards have won 22 over the years, Nantucket has 21.
Last year, the Vineyarders won and the players took the coveted trophy on the morning ferry Tuesday morning, on the bus to Boston and to Fenway.
“Can you believe this?” Vineyarders head coach Tony Motolla asked as he led a march of his team through the Red Sox dugout tunnel as they prepared to change into their team uniforms and then take the field.
Before the game, the question was: Will they carry it home to the parade, where they will be greeted by the roar of fire engines?
Vineyarders assistant coach Elijah LaRue, who raised the trophy as he entered the locker room with the team, was certain: “Oh yeah! This is definitely coming home!”
Behind the coaches, the team came in, wearing varsity jackets and Vineyarder sweatshirts and carrying their gear in duffel bags. Their faces were frozen in awe as they entered the hallowed halls of Fenway, past the statue of Ted Williams outside the stadium, past the pictures of legends from Yastrzemski to Big Papi. There was a kind of stunned silence, broken only occasionally by the fist-pumping cheers and screams of a team high on adrenaline.
Before they could line up for the 5 a.m. kickoff, all eyes were on the rain, wondering whether the game would actually start on time. But around 3:30 a.m., Fenway’s legendary grounds crew began rolling away the tarps, and the excitement ahead of the big game continued to mount. At 4:10 a.m., the Vineyarders stormed the field in their signature purple, and cheering fans gathered on the sidelines. It was clear we were going to see a game!
The Martha’s Vineyard Touchdown Club also wanted to show a live stream of the game on its Facebook page. And be sure to check out next week’s edition, where we’ll bring you all the scenes with photos, stats and analysis.
The day started early for both teams as it was the first time that both teams had to make the long journey to the mainland for a game.
It was early morning for the players in Vineyard Haven as fans said a warm goodbye at the Steamship Authority ferry terminal.
“I’m happy to be in such an environment. A huge stadium with a lot of people,” said Thayler Ribeiro, No. 58, surrounded by his teammates. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
On Tuesday morning, the captain aboard the steamboat ferry Martha’s Vineyard made an announcement: “Come on, MV Beat Nantucket, bring home the trophy, 2024!”
Caio Guimaraes, No. 33, said he was happy “that we get to play at one of the most famous venues in America.”
“We can also tour Fenway before the game,” added No. 10 quarterback William Nicholson.
Grady McCracken, No. 2, said he was looking forward to the big screen, but “you shouldn’t think about it too much; You can’t let it get to your head too much.”
The coaching staff was happy about their players.
“It’s incredible to be able to play in a stadium so steeped in history. It takes this program in a really great direction. We’re just excited about this opportunity and I think the worst part was the anticipation, but now that we’re here we’re just excited to play another game,” said head coach Mottola.
Just before 5 a.m. the rain stopped and the sunset over Boston was a beautiful pink glow as the lights flickered over the Green Monster. It felt like a movie set.
Mottola added: “Just standing in the dugout of this big stadium with all the spotlights on us and the history of this stadium – it’s just an incredible opportunity.”
