By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Staff Writer
On Thursday, Aug. 15 the 4A Port Isabel Tarpons will kick off the 2024 football season with a scrimmage against the 5A Weslaco East Wildcats. The scrimmage will be held at Weslaco’s Bobby Lackey stadium with JV starting at 5 p.m. and Varsity at 7 p.m.
Leading up to the scrimmage, the Tarpons held their annual blue-white intra-squad scrimmage on Saturday. The team had been practicing for about a week before the scrimmage and the coaches were looking forward to seeing game-like situations.
Returning quarterback Bryan Martinez opened the scrimmage with a long pass that went for a touchdown. Martinez showed a nice touch as the ball landed right in the receiver’s hands. The first team offense then started to work on their running game as both offense and defense had their moments. The offense did have a couple of hiccups in the form of fumbles and false starts, but it’s expected this early in the season, according to the coaches.
Meanwhile, when the team focused on working with its first-team defense, the defense quickly showed its dominance as they penetrated the line of scrimmage time and time again. Quickly, they tackled the runners and put tremendous pressure on the quarterbacks.
At the scrimmage versus the Weslaco East, the Wildcats’ offense will go through some growing pains as they will be looking to fill several spots due to only returning three starters on offense. They lost several of their top players including four out of their top five running backs and three out of their top four receivers.
Last year’s backup quarterback, Aiden Gonzalez, looks to take the helm and will depend heavily on the help of running back/receiver, Margarito Pompa (77 car/424 yds; 16 rec./233 yds). Sophomore Tight End, Skyler Perez looks to improve on last season’s seven receptions and 99 yards.
The Wildcats’ strong suit will be their defense as they return seven defensive starters. Linebackers, Ryan Escamilla (100 tackles) and Kyle Garcia (79 tackles) will anchor the front seven. Defensive linemen Ryan Vera (33 tackles) and Trey Hernandez (29 tackles) will be the first line of defense. Last season’s tackle leader, Greg Granados (106 tackles), will spearhead the secondary. He will be joined by G. Horta (53 tackles, 3 INTs) and J. Oritz (27 tackles, 2 INTs), forming a staunch last line of defense.
Last year the Wildcats finished in third place in district 16-5A Division 1 with an overall record of 6-5, 4-2.
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