By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
This past Friday, October 31, the (5-4) Port Isabel ECHS Tarpons took to the road as they faced (1-7) La Grulla Gators in their last district game of the season.
Entering the game, the Tarpons were coming off an impressive 37-14 win over La Feria. After beating Kingsville in the prior week, a win by Port Isabel over La Grulla would give the Tarpons the District Championship outright.
Meanwhile, La Grulla was coming off a 40-0 loss to Kingsville and has struggled to win games all season long. The Gators came in with nothing to lose, but they were going out fighting, in hopes for an upset.
Things were going as planned as the Tarpons jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter after an 11-yard touchdown run by RB Luis Ramos.
In La Grulla’s next possession, they took to the air and completed a 29-yard and 46-yard pass play, with the later a touchdown play to make it a 14-7 game.
As they continued to overpower the Gators’ defense, the Tarpons then went on a 7-play scoring drive capped by an 8-yard TD run by RB Michael Finona as the Tarpons now led 21-7.
On their next possession, La Grulla mixed some more passing along with some QB keepers to reach the Tarpons’ 4-yard line. Unfortunately for the Gators, a fumble and a big sack by PI’s Jerry Troncoso pushed them backwards as they settled for a field goal and now trailed 21-10.
Both defenses stiffened as both teams ended turned the ball over on downs as the Tarpons headed into halftime with a comfortable lead.
The halftime adjustments paid off for Port Isabel as they ended up outscoring the Gators 21-0 in the second half for a final of 42-10. Port Isabel secured the District Championship and that all-important number one playoff seed.
Offensively, the Tarpons racked up 454 rushing yards with RB Luis Ramos rushing for 183 yards on just seven carries while making three trips to the endzone.
Defensively, LB Edward Garza was the team’s top tackler with nine followed by DT Troncoso who had eight. Sophomore DT Jahi Vasquez came up big with two sacks and safety Tristan Green had an interception.
The Tarpons will have a bye week to prepare for their upcoming playoff opponent, Robstown, date and time TBD.
Other week 10 results include, Kingsville over La Feria 18-7, Sinton over Robstown 45-0, and Cuero over Ingleside 70-20.