Sports Roundup: Football Suffers First Defeat Of Season

This Whaler sports roundup includes a recap of the football team’s competitive Saturday afternoon matchup against the Carver Crusaders, who made it all the way to the Div. 8 Super Bowl last fall. It also includes updates on the field hockey team, girls soccer team, and volleyball team.

Football Falls To Carver On The Road

It was a hard-fought football game for the Nantucket Whalers Saturday afternoon against the Carver Crusaders, who beat the Whalers 40-6 last year at Vito Capizzo Stadium on their way to Gillette Stadium, where they played in the Div. 8 state title game. Nantucket lost 26-15 on Saturday to the Crusaders in the rematch but showed lots of moxie despite losing junior starting quarterback Brock Beamish midway through the game with a concussion.

"We knew coming into the game it was going to be a hard-fought game," Whaler head coach Reese Everett said. "They came off of Super Bowl contention last year. We respected that. We just tried our best to do what we could to stop them and get the ball back. Unfortunately, our starting quarterback went down with an injury so again, we had to do as much as we could. We know our freshman coming in, he was going to be an asset. So we're going to continue to work him as our number two, but right now we're going to wait for Brock Beamish to come back healthy, 110 percent.”

Carver earned the first points of the game midway through the first quarter but had the extra point attempt blocked by senior linebacker Brian Cuello. The Whalers responded nicely when junior wide receiver Amare Bramwell scored the first of two touchdowns after a quick catch and throw play where Bramwell was able to find open space down the left sideline to make it 6-6 after the Crusaders blocked Nantucket’s point after attempt.

“Amare is a ball player," Everett said. "This was known for the past couple of years. We haven't really got him the ball as much as we wanted to, and we decided that today was going to be the day. We just wanted to test it out and he came out successful.”

Carver answered when senior quarterback Jack Balzarini threw the second of four touchdown passes on the day – this one was a 56-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-6 Crusaders.

Cuello made his impact felt shortly after when he tackled a Crusader ball carrier in the end zone for a safety to make it 14-8.

"This goes back to the hunger," Everett said. "When we're in good spots to dominate our opponents, especially in their own backfield, we've got to execute. That's exactly what Brian did. Unfortunately, we didn't get the calls that we wanted this game, but next game we just got to come a little bit harder, a little bit more hungry.”

Balzarini answered quickly and threw a 53-yard touchdown pass with 2:21 to go in the first half to make it 20-8, which was the score going into halftime.

Beamish was making plays with his feet to help the Whalers move the ball through the first half of the game, but left the game after taking a hard hit and did not return. He was replaced by freshman quarterback Burke Lombardi, who eventually tossed his first career touchdown pass – a 10-yard pass – to Bramwell with 9:13 to go in the third quarter to make it a 20-15 game.

“Burke Lombardi really loves the game,” Everett said. “He really dives into the playbook. This is a kid that is very, very coachable. When his number is called, he's always going to be ready. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets some reps later in the season as well.”

On a day where Carver’s offense had produced several big plays, it was time for the Whaler defense to make a big play of their own to give the team a spark while trailing by just five points. They got it when sophomore defensive back Eli MacIver picked off Balzarini to give Nantucket possession with just over 4 minutes left in the third quarter.

But the Whalers were unable to do anything with the possession, and once Carver got the ball back, they added their fourth touchdown of the day to make it 26-15 in the final moments of the third quarter.

After turning the ball over on downs with 10 minutes to go in the final quarter of play, Carver ran the ball over and over – chipping minutes off the clock while slowly and methodically moving down the field. It wasn't until the Whaler’s forced a fumble in the red zone with 1:56 to go that Nantucket was able to get the ball back, but they immediately turned it back over.

The Crusader’s ran it a couple more times to the one-yard line, and ultimately ended the game with a pair of kneel downs at the goal line to seal the victory.

"We're still trying to find a rhythm," Everett said "New head coach, trying to find that relationship with all my kids. We're going to get there, but it's a stepping stone. One day at a time."

Nantucket is now 1-1 this season and their next game is scheduled for Friday, September 20 at home against the Mashpee Falcons at 5:30 p.m.

Field Hockey Beats Marshfield 1-0

The Nantucket field hockey team earned their fourth win in the first five games of their young season on Saturday when they traveled to Marshfield to face the Rams – beating them 1-0 thanks to a goal from Marin Mooney.

The Whalers, now 4-1, will try to keep their strong start to the season going on Wednesday, September 18, when they travel to Nauset to face the Warriors at 4 p.m.

Girls Soccer Beats Carver, Ties SJP

It was a busy weekend for the girls soccer team. They played two games - one on the road Friday and one at home on Saturday.

On Friday, Nantucket beat Carver 3-2 thanks to a game-winning goal from freshman Harper LeBrecht. Then on Saturday, junior captain Chelsea Gross was the one behind the heroics with an equalizer goal late to tie St. John Paul II 3-3.

Nantucket has yet to lose this season and are 2-0-2 through their first four games. They will try to win their third game of the year on Tuesday, September 17 when they travel to Barnstable to face the Red Hawks at 4 p.m.

Volleyball Loses To Duxbury

The Whaler volleyball welcomed a strong Duxbury Dragons volleyball program to the island on Saturday, losing 3-0 at Nantucket High School.

The sets were as followed:

Set One: 11-25 Duxbury

Set Two: 9-25 Duxbury

Set Three: 20-25 Duxbury

The Whalers were led by Rihanna Cranston and her five kills and three aces. Biance Santos led Nantucket with 10 assists.

After winning their first match of the season 3-1 against St. John Paul II, the Whalers suddenly find themselves in the midst of a three-game losing streak. They will try to improve to 2-3 on Monday, September 16 when they host the Falmouth Clippers at 4 p.m.

SCHEDULE AHEAD:

Monday, September 16:

The golf team will be at home for the first time this season when they host the Nauset Warriors at 3:45 p.m.

The volleyball team will host the Falmouth Clippers at 4 p.m.

Tuesday, September 17:

The golf team will be at home again facing Sturgis East at 3:45 p.m.

The cross-country team will be at home facing the Monomoy Sharks at 4 p.m.

The boys soccer team will be at home facing Barnstable at 4 p.m.

The girls soccer team will be on the road facing Barnstable at 4 p.m.

For more updates on Whaler sports throughout the year, you can follow Nantucket Current Sports on Instagram here or follow Sports Editor David Creed on X here.