By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
This past Thursday, October 5, the Port Isabel Tarpons played a non-district game against the UAT-Cuidad Victoria Correcaminos (Roadrunners). The previous week, PI had overwhelmed the visiting Vietnamitas Prepa 9 team to the tune of 48-18. This past week’s contest was a more defensive game, as PI ended with a 28-2 win.
The Tarpons got on the scoreboard first after recovering a fumble in the endzone. The Roadrunners ran a screen pass play, but the Tarpon defenders were all over the receiver and forced the fumble.
Neither team could do much in their next possessions until a 50-yard punt return by the Roadrunners put Victoria in a great scoring position. Fortunately, the “Seawall Defense” held firm as they forced the Roadrunners to eventually punt the ball away. An essential play on that defensive stand was a 12-yard sack by PI’s defensive end, Christopher Gonzalez.
With 7:50 left in the 2nd quarter, PI running back AJ LeBlanc made a couple of moves and bolted free for a 73-yard touchdown run. PI now led 14-0. After stopping the Roadrunners on their next drive, the Tarpons scored once more before halftime, giving PI a 21-0 lead. A 23-yard run by LeBlanc and a 19-yard run by Daniel Galvan highlighted that last drive.
The Tarpons had a shaky start in the second half as a sack and holding call had the Tarpons facing a 3rd and 25. Unfazed, speedster LeBlanc burst up the middle for a big 54-yard run. A 15-yard horse collar penalty was tacked on, and the Tarpons were at Victoria’s 13-yard line. On the next play, RB Tristan Garcia ran it in for the score as the Tarpons extended their lead to 28-0.
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