HARWICH -- Football is a family sport.
And one family is a big reason why the Monomoy High football is 2-0 following Thursday's 49-6 win over Atlantis Charter.
Junior quarterback Jake Vagenas and sophom*ore lineman Zach starred in the Sharks blowout win.
Jake Vagenas threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in the first half. Zach Vagenashad a fumble recovery on special teams, a sack on defense and lined up on the offensive line, paving the way for his older brother, plus Monomoy's other skill players,to thrive.
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"They're both leaders on the team," Monomoy head coach Rob Sliney said. "One's a captain and one's not a captain, but they vibe off each other. One gets going on the offensive line, the whole offensive line starts grooving, and then we keep our quarterback safe, and that's a big thing."
Jake Vagenas said he loves playing with his brother Zach.
"It's my favorite thing ever to see him at left tackle protecting my blindside, andI wouldn't want anyone else there," Jakesaid.
On the field, the brothers have a bit of role reversal. The younger brother makes sure his older brother stays out of danger on the field.
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"I love having him behind me and protecting him," Zach Vagenas said. "Being able to do that to make sure he's playing his best. Watchinghim score, just makes me happy."
For Jake Vagenas, this is his second year as Monomoy'sstarting quarterback. Last season, the Sharksfinished 2-5, but this year, they've already matched that total.
"I let my teammatesknow when everyone does their part and I let them know howimportant everyone is, especially down with that O-line down in the trenches," Jake Vagenas said."I have so much respect for those boys. They protect me and made this game possible."
The rush attack
The Sharks offense scored 28 points in the first half and 21 more in the second half. Monomoy's 40 points is the most for the program since 2018. Most of the damage was down on the ground.
"I got four runningbacks that can all be considered starters," Sliney said. "We cycle them through constantly, and the offensive line keeps their feet chugging down through there and we block upfield. That's what we stress in practice. I want to be a pound team since I took over. That's what we did today."
One of those running backs is Dillon Chapman, who scored two rushing TDs in the third quarter, including a 55-yarderon the first offensive play of the second half.
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"Our coach told us to go out there, play our hardest and put up more numbers than we did in the first half," Chapman said. "Our O-line, Jedidiah Zimmerman and (Reign) Stephenson did their job, and without them, I couldn't have scored. For that, I got 12 points out there."
Zimmerman and Jake Vagenas each scored a rushing TD in the first half and Reign Stephenson had another in the second half, as the Sharks finished with five rushing TDs.
New coach, new system
In his first year as head coach, Sliney, a former defensive coordinator, said he had a new system he wanted to implement. Two weeks in, that new system has the Sharks unbeaten.
"It's been a great feeling," Sliney said. "These guys have adapted well to a whole new system, a new cultureand everything I've asked of them, they have done it and done it flawlessly."
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Monomoy defeatedCape Tech, 29-16, last weekin their season opener and had to quickly prepare for a Thursday night game a couple days later. That was no problem for the Sharks.
"First game we had some jitters, and we had a short week," Sliney said. "We only had three days of practice before this game, and they were up for the challenge and adversity, and we took over."
If the Sharks season looks a little familiar, that's notdeja vu. Last season, they started their season with wins over Cape Tech and Atlantis Charter. However, they went winless the rest of the season. This season, can they continue to win games?
"We started off week onetelling these guys, you win a game, you get 24 hours to enjoy it, and then we are back to 0-0 on the season," Sliney said. "Every game is the first game, every game has to be exciting and every game you have to come out firing. That's what we're stressing, and we're right back at work tomorrow with practice."
Next up for Monomoy is Friday, Sept. 23,on the road against Martha's Vineyard. That kicks offa four-game road trip for the Sharks.
Contact Courtney Jacobs at cjacobs@capecodonline.com. Follow him on Twitter: @CJ_Journalist.
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