(Port Isabel QB Grayson Estes rolls out for a pass versus BSJA. Aug. 13, 2026. Photo by Constancio Martinez Jr)
By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
On Thursday, Aug. 13, the Port Isabel ECHS football team traveled to Brownsville to scrimmage the St. Joseph Academy Bloodhounds.
The scrimmage was split into four controlled (10min.) quarters and two live (12min.) quarters.
As the scrimmage got underway, the Bloodhounds went on a long and steady scoring drive mixing both the run and the pass. St. Joe went on to score with just five seconds left in the quarter taking an early 1-0 lead.
The Tarpons failed to pick up a first down in their first set of downs, but got rolling in their second drive. From their own 32-yard line, PI quarterback Grayson Estes found his younger brother Preston Estes wide open for a 37-yard pass play. Two plays later, QB Estes connected with Ryan Cinfuegos on a 24-yard TD pass play to tie the game up at 1-1.
With almost six minutes still remaining in their quarter, the Tarpons managed to score once more on this time on a 17-yard TD pass play from Estes to receiver Logan Bennett. Tarpons now led 2-1.
After being stopped in their first drive, the Bloodhounds scored on a 70-yard pass play to tie the game up at 2-2. St. Joe threaten to score again, but PI’s Bennett came up with a key pass breakup.
In their final controlled quarter, the Tarpons executed a 70-yard scoring drive with most of those yards coming on the ground. The highlight of the quarter was by running back Elijah Alvarez who weaved through the defense for a 26-yard gain. PI had the advantage during the controlled portion of the scrimmage, 3-2.
Moving into the live portion of the scrimmage, the Bloodhounds were force to punt by the salty Port Isabel “Seawall Defense” who was credited with two sacks.
The Tarpons then took over at their own 36-yard line and marched down the field, capping the drive with a 30-yard touchdown run by Jesus Ramos. The 7-0 lead held for Port Isabel as both defenses did not give up any more points the remainder of regulation.
Port Isabel defensive coordinator Albert Barbarena III liked the way his defense played overall and had one of his players catch his eye on the defensive side of the ball.
“Our defense is looking good; they are more poised but we still have a lot of things to improve on. Jay Valdez at DT played really well.” Said Barbarena III.
Offensively, the Tarpons did well, running and passing the ball. Running backs Angel Dominguez, Ramos, and Alvarez looked in midseason form.
The Tarpons were not willing to reveal too much in the scrimmage, so they worked on their passing game in their first three drives. Being a predominately run team, Port Isabel’s quarterback Estes took full advantage of the opportunity to showcase his arm, helping the Tarpons rack up 106 passing yards with two touchdowns through the air. The offense added 31 rushing yards and one touchdown in those early drives.