Under pressure, Port Isabel Tarpons quarterback Isiah Martinez is pictured airing out a completion on Friday before being sandwiched by two opposing defenders. The junior playcaller played well in the Tarps’ 22-18 victory over the Lyford Bulldogs. (Staff photo by Ray Quiroga)
By LARRY GAGE
Special to the PRESS
The Port Isabel Tarpons went on the road to Lyford last Friday night looking for their first win of the 2012 season and got it. They spotted the Bulldogs a 6-0 first quarter lead, trailed 12-7 entering the fourth quarter, then scored two touchdowns to win the game, 22-18.
The rivalry with Lyford goes all the way back to the inaugural season of Tarpon football, 1950 (Lyford, 26-6). The two programs have squared off most years since, and last week’s contest was just one more tight, competitive game in this lengthy series.
The Bulldogs got on the board first on a seven-yard Scott Arnold-to-Art Vasquez touchdown pass late in the first quarter. In the second quarter Port Isabel took a 7-6 lead when quarterback Isaiah Martinez hit Michael Curry with a 35-yard scoring strike, and that was the half-time score.
Nine minutes into the second half Lyford struck back when the ‘Dogs’ Miguel Chavarria ran an interception back 59 yards for the score and the home team was up 12-7.
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