By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
This past Friday, June 2, Port Isabel hosted the “Battle at the Bay” 7on7 tournament at Tarpon Stadium. The event was one of 22 Division II State Qualify Tournaments (SQT) held during May and June. The following five teams competed in a round-robin schedule, Port Isabel, Yoakum, La Feria, Raymondville and Hidalgo.
The football field was split into a north and south end to enable two simultaneous games at once. Each team started at the 45-yard line. A team is awarded a first down at the 30-yard and 15-yard lines. A touchdown is worth six points and teams can go for either one or two extra points. The games were played in two 15-minute halves.
Port Isabel faced off against Hidalgo in their first game. The Tarpons opened up on offense and got off two short passes to reach the 35-yard line. Unfortunately, the ball was intercepted on the third play. Hidalgo’s offense was up next. They managed to reach the 18-yard line in three plays. After picking up another first down, the Pirates scored from five yards out. The extra point was successful as they took a 7-0 lead.
On their ensuing drive, the Tarpons had a nice long pass to the 16-yard line. Two plays later, the Tarpons scored from ten yards out. A dropped ball on the extra point attempt made it 7-6 in favor of Hidalgo. On their ensuing drive, the Pirates were unable to reach the first down mark and turned the ball over on downs.
With time winding down, PI threw a deep ball but it was intercepted as time expired in the first half of play.
The Pirates’ offense started off the second half where they managed to reach the 9-yard line on three plays. Two plays later they scored a TD and made the extra point as well. Hidalgo now led 14-6. The Tarpons offense was unable to get the first down and turned the ball over on downs.
Hidalgo completed a long pass to the 15-yard line and were threatening to score once again. Two plays later their QB found the receiver in the corner of the endzone for the touchdown. An unsuccessful extra point made it 20-6 with seven minutes left in the game. An unsportsmanlike penalty by the Pirates put the Tarpons on the 30-yard line. They then got a big chunk of yardage with a pass to their tight end. Two plays later PI’s QB found WR, Anthony Garcia in the corner of the endzone for the score. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful as Hidalgo now led 20-12.
Want the entire story? Pick up a copy of the Port Isabel-South Padre PRESS, or subscribe to our e-Edition by clicking HERE!