By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
On Friday, June 20th, Port Isabel hosted its annual “Battle by the Bay” 7on7 State Qualifying Tournament.
The tourney featured six teams split into two pools, with Port Isabel, La Grulla, and Freer in Pool A, and Hidalgo, Stockdale, and Rio Hondo in Pool B.
The Tarpons started the day with a 9 a.m. game against La Grulla, and from the opening whistle, the Tarpons dominated the Gators to the tune of 37-6. PI then followed it up with another solid performance in their second game, this time against Freer, shutting out Freer 27-0.
In the championship game, Port Isabel was matched up with its old nemesis, Rio Hondo, as they too swept their pool opponents.
Unlike the previous two games, the Tarpons’ defense was quickly on their heels as the Bobcats’ offense leaned heavily on big pass plays.
In their first drive, the Bobcats wasted no time as they scored in a matter of a few plays to take an early 6-0 lead.
Tarpons led by QB, Bryan Martinez answered right back with a 7-play scoring drive to tie the game at 6-6. Luis Ramos capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown reception.
On the first play of their next drive, the Bobcats scored on a 45-yard touchdown pass play. A successful extra point try gave Rio Hondo a 13-6 lead.
QB, Martinez connected with Ramos on 3 of 4 pass plays in their next possession, including a 23-yard touchdown pass play. Bryan Ramirez secured the extra point try as the game was now tied at 13-13.
With time winding down in the first half, the Bobcats completed a big 30-yard pass play. The two plays later, they were in the endzone on an 8-yard TD play and regained the lead 19-13 at halftime.
As the second half resumed, QB Martinez connected with Ramos once again in a pass up the middle. Upon snatching the ball in the air, Ramos turned on the jets and bypassed two would-be defenders on his way into the endzone as the Tarpons tied the game at 19-19.
Although the Tarpons were matching the Bobcats score for score, they needed the defense to step it up. On the first play of the Bobcats’ ensuing drive, PI’s Grayson Estes made a terrific play on the ball and made the interception.
The Tarpons then marched down the field on a 9-play scoring drive to go up 26-19. PI’s Edward Garza secured the touchdown and the extra point receptions during the drive.
Rio Hondo’s big play ability came in handy as they scored on just two plays. Unfortunately for the Bobcats, PI intercepted the ball on the crucial extra point play, as the Tarpons now led 26-25 with less than six minutes left in the game.
The Tarpons offense continue to roll as they mounted another scoring drive, capped by a 2-yard TD reception in the corner of the endzone by Logan Bennett. Tarpons now led 33-25 with three minutes left.
The Tarpons’ defense held firm in the Bobcats last drive as Port Isabel punched its ticket to the State 7on7 Tournament.
The tourney will be held on June 26-27 at College Station, TX. There will be 32 teams (8 pools) competing in the Division 2 7on7 Tourney with Port Isabel assigned to Pool D along with teams from Benbrook, Hardin-Jefferson and West. Games start at 10:45 a.m.
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