Thrilling game In a thrilling game against the Bishop Badgers, Port Isabel High School’s football team emerged victorious with a 38-9 win. Thanks in part to an exceptional performance by player Number 13, Tony Garcia. Garcia put on a show, scoring two touchdowns and making multiple incredible catches. The team as a whole worked hard and showed great skill and determination to secure the win. Garcia’s performance was a key factor in the team’s success, and his talent and tenacity were on full display throughout the game. (Photos by Zoey Ochoa)
By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
BISHOP, TX—This past Friday, October 20, the (6-2) Port Isabel Tarpons went on the road to take on the (2-5) Bishop Badgers in a district matchup. This is the second season the Badgers will have competed in the 4A classification since they moved up two years ago.
Last season’s matchup was close, as the Tarpons came away with a 14-7 win. This year’s game was another defensive battle. The Tarpons offense eventually wore down the Badgers in the second half as they pulled away with a 38-9 win.
Bishop returned the opening kickoff to the 25-yard line, but a series of penalties and excellent defensive play by the Tarpons pushed them back to the 1-yard line. On third down, Bishop threw a pass to the flats, but the receiver was tackled in the endzone for the safety as the Tarpons took an early 2-0 lead.
The game took a defensive tone as both teams punted the ball away on their next two possessions. The Tarpons’ defense played lights out as they held the Badgers to negative yards in their first three possessions.
After a short punt by Bishop, the Tarpons started their next possession at the Badgers 36-yard line. Port Isabel proceeded on a 7-play scoring drive utilizing five different runners. RB Luis Ramos capped the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run in the top of the second quarter, giving PI a 9-0 lead.
Things started to go awry for the Tarpons’ offense on their next series. Port Isabel was flagged for two false starts. Then, on the second play of the drive, a big hit on the running back forced a fumble. The Badgers picked up the ball and returned it to the Tarpon’s 18-yard line. The “Seawall Defense” stepped up to the plate again and held Bishop to a field goal.
The Tarpon’s offense continued to struggle in the second quarter as they fumbled the ball away two more times. Fortunately, the Tarpon’s defense, led by defensive end Christopher Gonzalez, kept the Badgers at bay as the Tarpons held onto a 9-3 halftime lead.
As the second half got underway, both teams’ defenses were still making plays. Facing a 3rd and 1, the Tarpons ran a reverse play for RB Robert Medina and caught the Badgers’ defense off-guard as Medina hit paydirt on a 65-yard touchdown run. PI extended their lead to 16-3.
Bishop had a significant return to the Tarpon’s 39-yard line. Badgers quarterback Aidan Andalon put the team on his back as he led them on a 9-play touchdown drive. A blocked kick by Port Isabel made it 16-9 PI.
Port Isabel answered back as they went on a 4-play scoring drive of their own.
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