By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
On Thursday, Sept. 1, 2023, the 4A Port Isabel Tarpons had a non-district game against their old rival, the 3A Rio Hondo Bobcats. Last year’s contest saw the Tarpons beat the Cats 41-21 at Tarpon Stadium. This season, the Cats were looking for some payback and they seemed like they would upset the Tarpons as they jumped out to a 10-0 lead. However, the Tarpons continued to fight on and with some defensive adjustments, the Tarpons came away with the 48-20 win.
Starting from their own 25-yard line, RH QB Ruben Atkinson threw a quick pass to the flats that turned into a 25-yard catch-and-run play. Eight plays later, the Cats were knocking on the door, having reached the Tarpons’ 5-yard line. Facing a 3rd-and-goal, the quarterback dropped back for a pass, but before he found a receiver, PI’s OLB/RB Tristan Garcia took him down for the sack. Rio Hondo then proceeded to make the field goal as the Cats took an early 3-0 lead with 7:25 left in the first quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, the PI returnman muffed the ball, but managed to recover and return it to the 17-yard line. The Tarpons picked up nine-yards on two plays, but a sack on third down forced them into a punting situation. Rio Hondo returned the ball to their own 49-yard line giving the Cats great field position.
The Cats fumbled the ball on the first play of their ensuing drive, but they managed to recover it and started to move the ball downfield. From the Tarpons’ 33-yard line, QB Atkinson hit the receiver in stride as he ran into the endzone for the score. A successful kick put the Cats up 10-0 with 2:56 left in the first quarter.
As the Tarpons started their next drive, they handed the ball to RB Luis Ramos who picked up nine-yards. RB Garcia then picked up 13 yards on a run up the middle. From the Cats 44-yard line, RB Evan Galvan burst up the middle for a 40-yard gain. RB Jose “JoJo” Ochoa then closed the deal with a dive into the endzone for the touchdown. A successful kick made it 10-7 RH with 11:54 left in the second quarter.
The Bobcats returned the kickoff to the 24-yard line but an unsportsmanlike penalty by PI after the return tacked on another 15 yards. From their own 39-yard line, the Cats went on a four-play touchdown drive capped by a 39-yard reception. The Tarpons’ defenders continued to struggle keeping up with the RH receivers as the Bobcats scored in just a minute. RH now led 17-7.
On the ensuing PI drive, the Tarpons went on a scoring drive of their own, utilizing five different runners. The drive was highlighted by a 20-yard run by RB Ramos and a 38-yard TD run by RB Garcia. Rio Hondo still maintained a 17-14 lead with 7:41 left in the quarter.
On the Bobcats ensuing drive, Rio Hondo’s offense threatened to score once more at they reached the Tarpons’ 11-yard line. However, they were unable to overcome two penalties and had to settle for a field goal. Rio Hondo now led 20-14 with 6:01 left in the second quarter.
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