(Port Isabel team makes entrance during district game versus Robstown. Oct. 16, 2026. Picture by Constancio Martinez Jr)
Special to the PRESS
This past Friday, Oct. 16 the Port Isabel Tarpons hosted the Robstown Cotton Pickers in a crucial district game. With the regular season winding down, both teams were fighting to keep their playoff aspirations alive.
Robstown opened the game with a big 37-yard kickoff return to its own 45-yard line. However, two plays later, a bad snap sailed over the quarterback’s head, and Port Isabel’s Oro Rodriguez quickly pounced on the loose ball.
Unfortunately, the Tarpons were unable to capitalize on the great field position, as they ultimately turned the ball over on downs.
Things didn’t get any easier for Robstown on their next drive as a pass by QB Crowley was caught by ineligible receiver. As the confused lineman held onto the ball, Port Isabel’s defenders instinctively jarred the ball loose, forcing a fumble that the Tarpons recovered.
Determined not to let another scoring opportunity slip away, Port Isabel went on to score in just two plays. Running back Alvaro Rocha opened the drive with a 20-yard run. On the next play, running back Bryan Ramirez followed his blockers into the endzone for an 11-yard touchdown run, giving the Tarpons an early 7-0 lead over the Cotton Pickers.
Robstown misfortunes continued on its next drive, as another bad snap sent the ball back to the 13-yard line. Two plays later, Port Isabel’s safety Logan Bennett came up with his sixth interception of the season, bringing Robstown’s drive to an abrupt end.
Starting from Robstown’s 32-yard line, the Tarpons executed an eight-play scoring drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown run by running back Jesus Ramos. RB Ramirez then powered his way into the endzone for a successful two-point conversion, extending Port Isabel’s lead to 15-0 with 3:28 remaining in the first quarter.
The Port Isabel “Seawall Defense” forced Robstown to punt from their own 32-yard line, but a favorable bounce for the Tarpons sent the ball rolling back to the 34-yard line. Halloween hadn’t arrived yet, but the night was already full of awful tricks for the Cotton Pickers.
Taking over from there, Port Isabel’s “Tidal Wave” offense went to work, needing just three plays to reach the endzone. Running back Alvaro Rocha capped the scoring drive with a 26-yard touchdown run. Tarpons now led 22-0 in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Robstown was forced into another punt from their own 29-yard line, however, it was partially blocked by Port Isabel’s relentless defense, allowing the Tarpons to take over at the 23-yard line.
Two plays later, RB Ramirez ran it in for a 9-yard TD run. A missed extra point attempt made it 28-0 in favor of the Tarpons.
Midway through the second quarter, Robstown quarterback Crowley broke free for a 25-yard scramble, advancing the ball to the Tarpons’ 12-yard line. Two plays later, running back Dominic Figueroa powered his way into the endzone for the Cotton Pickers first touchdown of the game. A botch extra point attempt left Port Isabel with a 28-6 lead.
The Cotton Pickers’ first score appeared to shift the momentum in their favor, as the Tarpons were forced to punt out of their own endzone in their ensuing drive.
Starting at the Tarpons’ 33-yard line, QB Crowley found a wide-open receiver for a 25-yard gain. On the very next play, running back Nicson Gonzalez bounced to the outside and crossed the goal line for another Robstown touchdown.
The missed extra-point attempt failed once again, trimming Port Isabel’s lead to 28-12, a score that held through the halftime buzzer.
Robstown carried its momentum into the second half, putting together a 16-play scoring drive behind the running of Figueroa and Gonzalez. The drive was capped by a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Crowley to receiver Miles Rodriguez. A successful two-point play made it a 28-20 game with 2:52 left in the third quarter.
Both offenses made some plays in the closing minutes, but neither team found the endzone again as the Tarpons held on to secure the victory.
With the regular season winding down, Rockport-Fulton and CC London look to take the top two playoff spots. Meanwhile, the Tarpons’ win leaves them with a 2-2 district record, tied with Robstown, Ingleside and Kingsville as the four teams battle for the final two playoff spots.
First thing is first, Port Isabel must take care of business on the road this Friday night, Oct 23, against La Feria to keep its playoff hopes alive.