By: Constancio Martinez Jr
This Friday night, the Port Isabel Tarpons will be traveling to Lyford to take on the Bulldogs in the season opener, with a 7 p.m. game start.
Last season, the Tarpons secured a dominant 30-6 win at Tarpon Stadium. But the prior two seasons saw the matchup decided by just one score, with Lyford taking a 36-29 win in 2023 and PI picking up a 41-40 win in 2022.
In 2024, dual-threat quarterback Adrian Chavez started the season for Lyford. By week three, the Bulldogs’ coaching staff needed more from their passing game and began rotating sophomore QB Ryan Gonzalez into the lineup. The Bulldogs’ passing output increased significantly under Gonzalez, so expect him to be QB1 this year. Other skill players for the Bulldogs include receiver Randall Chavez and running backs Justin Reyna and Raul Hinojosa.
Look for the PI defense to put the clamps down on the Bulldogs’ offense once again, as PI’s top two tacklers return in linebackers Edward Garza (73 tackles) and Ryan Cienfuegos (46 tackles). Michael Finona, the third starting linebacker, also returns to form one of the top linebacking corps in the RGV.
As far as PI’s offense, expect a different look when they line up in the shotgun formation, but you can still count on PI to continue to run the ball. Their typical “running back by committee” approach should remain the same, with top running back Luis Ramos (144 carries, 1,176 yards) leading the Tarpons’ rushing attack.
While the Tarpons continue to work on their new passing game, expect Ramos to put points on the scoreboard. In last year’s matchup, Ramos rushed for 253 yards on just 14 carries and scored three rushing touchdowns. Other running backs to watch include Michael Finona, Ryan Cienfuegos, Jesus Ramos, and Angel Dominguez.
New PI offensive coordinator Mark Calvillo has his go-to plays, but his play calling will be determined by “what the defense gives us,” stated Calvillo. “I want my offensive line to play physical and come off the ball, and I want my backs to be explosive and QBs to manage the game.”
The teams have been facing off since Port Isabel’s inaugural season in 1950, with the Tarpons currently holding a lifetime 34-21-3 overall record against the Bulldogs.
For the 2025 season, with eight offensive and six defensive starters returning, look for the Bulldogs to bounce back after going 6-5 overall and finishing fourth in the district. Meanwhile, Port Isabel (9-3 overall), which is guaranteed a playoff spot, looks to get past the second round of the playoffs—a feat last accomplished in 2013.
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