By: Constancio Martinez Jr.
Although the (3-5, 2-3) Port Isabel Tarpons were still mathematically alive in
the playoff hunt, they needed to win their final two games to keep their
postseason hopes alive. However, that was a tall order, especially with one of
those matchups coming against the (7-1, 5-0) Rockport-Fulton Pirates.
Could the Tarpons pull off the biggest upset of the season, or were they in
for a long night? Unfortunately for Port Isabel, it turned out to be the latter.
As the game got underway, Rockport-Fulton received the opening kickoff
and returned it to the 49-yard line. The then Pirates moved down the field on a
mix of runs and passes to move the ball into Tarpon Territory. A pair of personal
fouls by PI also aided the drive, allowing the Pirates to advance to the eight-yard
line. From there, George Solis capped the opening possession with a touchdown
run. A successful 2-point play gave Rockport-Fulton an early 8-0 lead.
Port Isabel returned the ensuing kickoff to their own 38-yard line. After
gaining just two yards on their first two plays, the Tarpons went to the air as
quarterback Grayson Estes connected with Logan Bennett for a 14-yard pass play.
Unfortunately, the possession came to an abrupt end when the Tarpons fumbled
the ball away in their next rushing attempt.
The Pirates wasted little time capitalizing on the turnover, scoring on the
very first play of its next possession with a 62-yard touchdown pass. Rockport-
Fulton now led 15-0 with 6:55 showing in the first quarter.
Things didn’t get any easier for the Tarpons as their next offensive
possession ended with another turnover, this time on an interception by the
Pirates.
After another big kickoff return by Rockport-Fulton, quarterback Reid
Snyder opened the Pirates ensuing possession with a 19-yard keeper. He then
connected on passes of 15 and 13, with the latter going for a touchdown. The
score extended the Pirates’ lead to 22-0 with 5:22 left in the first quarter.
Unable to sustain their next offensive drive, Port Isabel was force to punt
the ball away. In what seemed to be one of the few positive plays for PI, punter
Bryan Ramirez delivered a booming kick that landed at the Pirates’ three-yard
line, unfortunately for the Tarpons, the Pirates returned the ball 97 yards for the
score. Rockport-Fulton now lead 29-0, still in the first quarter.
The Tarpons got off to their first promising drive on their next possession.
However, a fourth down attempt at the Pirates’ 35-yard line ended in a sack,
bringing the drive to a halt.
Things continued to go downhill for the Tarpons as the Pirates found the
endzone three more times before halftime, taking a commanding 50-0 lead into
the break.
Rockport-Fulton continued to dominate after the break and headed into
the fourth quarter with a 64-0 lead.
The Tarpons finally got on the scoreboard in the final period when Bryan
Ramirez broke free for a 55-yard touchdown run. However, the Pirates
maintained their dominance and went on to secure a 71-6 victory.
The loss dropped Port Isabel to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in district play, officially
eliminating the Tarpons from playoff contention alongside La Feria and La Grulla.
Meanwhile, Rockport-Fulton secured the district’s top seed, while CC
London, Ingleside, and Kingsville continue to battle for playoff positioning.
The Tarpons will close out their season on Friday, Nov. 6, when they host
the Kingsville Brahmas at Tarpon Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.