Tarpons to play Yellowjackets for homecoming

By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS

The (3-0) Port Isabel Tarpons will be taking on the (3-0) Edcouch-Elsa Yellowjackets in a non-district game on Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.

In week three action, Port Isabel overwhelmed Valley View to the tune of 48-0. Meanwhile in a defensive battle, Edcouch-Elsa beat McAllen 17-14.

Against Valley View, PI’s running back, Luis Ramos hit the trifecta as he scored on the kickoff return, and scored a rushing and receiving touchdown. Ramos finished the night with six carries for 133 yards. For the season, he has 42 carries for 577 yards with seven touchdowns.

Look for Port Isabel to continue to rely on Ramos and their rotation of backs including Dylan Green, Bryan Cinfuegos, Michael Finona and Jesus Ramos. The younger Ramos came in the third quarter and finished with 5 carries for 71 yards in his Varsity debut.

Port Isabel also started rotating their quarterbacks in week three with Grayson Estes and Bryan Martinez alternating drives. They will have to contend with a staunch Yellowjacket defense.

The Yellowjackets strength on defense comes from their three senior linebackers. They ranked as the team’s top three tackle leaders, Gaven Rodriguez (33 tackles, 8 TFL, 5 sacks), Troy Barco (32 tackles, 6 TFL) and Matthew Cano (32 tackles, 4 TFL, sack, INT).

Offensively, E-E’s dual-threat QB, Elijah Trevino (14-for-33 for 167 yards, INT) has yet to throw a touchdown, but is comfortable throwing mid-range passes. Trevino is also the Yellowjackets second leading rusher with 34 carries for 193 yards. Primary rushing duties fall to Aydan Garcia (41 carries, 213 yards) while Brandon Morales is their leading receiver with five receptions for 86 yards.

Watch out for PI’s Safety Anthony Garcia who came up big against VV registering 11 tackles including three tackles for loss. Like E-E, Port Isabel boasts a solid group at the linebacker position in Edward Garza (16 tackles), Daniel Galvan (22 tackles, sack) and Bryan Cinfuegos (seven tackles, two sacks).

Regarding the third phase of the game, the Tarpons must improve their special team’s coverage as the Yellowjackets’ returnman, Jesus Ramirez is capable of some long returns (kickoff return:53.9avg, punt return:42.5avg).

On a side note, Port Isabel had 12 penalties for over 100 yards versus Valley View. In what is supposed to be a close game, Port Isabel can’t afford to make the same mistakes against a good team like Edcouch-Elsa.
Last season the Tarpons came out victorious in a close, exciting 34-30 win versus the Yellowjackets and it looks to be another thrilling game.