By Jim Fenton, The Enterprise (Brockton)

BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. -- As a young football player growing up on Martha's Vineyard, he was familiar with the annual Cranberry Bowl.

Mike McCarthy knew something about Bridgewater State University and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy having a tradition going that increased the spark in their rivalry.

"I had heard a lot about it growing up,'' said McCarthy, "but I didn't realize how big of a game it was and how many people down on the Cape cared about it.''

Having played in the Cranberry Bowl three times as a BSU quarterback, McCarthy now knows plenty about the game between the schools from southeastern Massachusetts.

And the junior has also made his mark on the Cranberry Bowl, accomplishing a first in the 34-history of the game.

McCarthy became the first player to win two Lee Harrington Most Valuable Player awards after guiding the Bears to a 31-21 victory over Mass. Maritime and Clean Harbors Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

He was selected for the second year in a row after rushing for 180 yards on 29 carries, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns and throwing a touchdown pass as the Bears finished the regular season with a 9-1 record.

A year ago, McCarthy had 246 yards of total offense and threw two TD passes to win the MVP award.

"It's a big accomplishment,'' said McCarthy, "but first thing I worry about is a win. After that, this is definitely icing on the cake.''

McCarthy scored on a 5-yard run with 8:59 remaining to give the Bears a 24-21 lead, then put the game away with a 22-yard TD run with 2:58 remaining.

On a pair of time-consuming drives, McCarthy carried the ball 13 times for 80 yards and picked up three first downs to frustrate Mass. Maritime.

McCarthy, who is difficult to tackle as he bounces off defenders, leads the Bears with 788 rushing yards and 13 TDs.

"He's a horse,'' said Coach Chuck Denune. "The kid is a tank. You can't arm-tackle the guy. He's a tough kid. I describe him as a football player. I know we play him at quarterback, but he's just a tremendous football player who happens to play quarterback.''

McCarthy, who transferred from Merrimack College in 2010, praised the work of his offensive line, which got him plenty of running room in the final quarter.

"Our line's been amazing all year and they just showed that same thing in the fourth quarter and finished off when we needed to,'' he said.

After losing to Mass. Maritime in 2010, McCarthy has helped the Bears win back-to-back Cranberry Bowl games.

"It's probably the most intense game of the year,'' he said. "We try to focus every week and make every game just as important. But this game, the (Cranberry) scoop is riding on it, the rivalry, the last game of the regular season. There's so many things about the game that makes it a huge win.

"The intensity was great between the two teams, the trash talking, the penalties. There was a lot of adversity and I thought we did a good job.''