By LARRY GAGE
Special to the PRESS
After four weeks of practice and two scrimmages, the Port Isabel Tarpons will take to the road this Friday for the 2011 football season opener. The opponent will be traditional and long-time foe out of District 32-4A, the Edcouch-Elsa Yellow Jackets.
As with any annual rivalry, there have been some memorable games involving these two programs. This reporter will always remember the night these two met in the 1994 season opener in Port Isabel. The Tarpons overcame a 20-6 halftime deficit to win, 26-20. They rolled through the season undefeated all the way to the state semi-finals.
Both squads start the year with expectations of not only making the playoffs, but also of making a strong run towards their respective district championships. This is especially true for Edcouch as they are ranked fifth in the Rio Grande Valley Sports.com pre-season Top 10 poll. Both teams look to build on the success of 2010 comeback seasons. The Tarpons were back in the playoffs, with a co-district title, for the first time since 2007, and Edcouch went two-deep into the post-season after going without a playoff berth in 2009. The ‘Jackets are also loaded as they return 16 starters from last season.
To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the Aug. 25 edition of the Port Isabel South Padre Press or check out our E-edition by clicking here.
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