By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
This past Thursday night, the (2-4) Port Isabel ECHS Tarpons looked to get back in the win column when they took on the (2-4) Brownsville St. Joseph Academy Bloodhounds at Tarpon Stadium.
Prior to the matchup, Port Isabel was coming off a 14-7 loss to Roma and were riding a two-game losing streak. Yet the teams’ win prospects looked good as PI’s running game looked to have a big game against the Hounds lackluster defense that has been giving up 46 points per game.
Meanwhile, St. Joe was coming off an impressive offensive showing in their 66-42 win over the La Feria Lions. The explosive Hounds have been averaging 37 pts/game, so the Tarpons’ defense would have its hands full trying to stop their fast-paced offense.
Port Isabel got off to a good start to the game as RB/KR Luis Ramos picked up a nice 37-yard kickoff return to midfield. From there, the Tarpons started to move downfield while utilizing four different running backs. Upon reaching the Bloodhounds 12-yard line, RB Bryan Ramirez took the handoff and muscled his way into the endzone for the touchdown. The Tarpons took an early 7-0 lead with 6:39 showing in the first quarter.
The Tarpons tried an onside kick but were unsuccessful. With good starting position, the Hounds started their own march down the field in a series of runs and passes. The Hounds eventually went on to score on a 16-yard touchdown pass play from QB Gavin Cisneros to WR Luis Zolezzi. BSJ tried to go for an extra 2-point play, but the Tarpons stopped it as they held on to a 7-6 lead with 3:54 left in the first quarter.
On the Tarpons’ ensuing drive, PI continued to have success on the ground. Picking up a handful of chunk yards on their way to a 6-play, 75-yard scoring drive capped by a 23-yard TD pass play from QB Bryan Martinez to RB Ramos. PI now led 14-6 with about a minute still left in the first.
Not to be outdone, the Hounds responded with a 6-play scoring drive of their own in just two minutes. The highlight play of drive was a 46-yard run up the middle by RB Mauricio Vega who almost scored if not for a touchdown-saving tackle by PI’s safety Grayson Estes. The Hounds tried another 2-point play, but it was stopped once again by the Tarpons as PI now led 14-12.
The Tarpons added one more score right before the halftime break as RB Ramos broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run to make it a 21-12 game in favor of the Tarpons.
As the second half resumed, Hounds’ QB Cisneros led his team on a 12-play scoring drive capped by a 2-yard TD plunge by RB Vega. After a successful extra point kick, PI still maintained a 21-19 lead with 7:53 showing in the third quarter.
Late in the third quarter, the Tarpons went on a 4-play scoring drive capped by a 4-yard TD run by RB Angel Dominguez as Port Isabel extended their lead to 27-19. Speedster RB Ramos (10 carries, 184 yards) had a big 51-yard run during the drive.
On the Hounds’ ensuing drive, QB Cisneros (13 of 26 for 91 yards, 17 carries for 173 yards) kept the drive going thru the air and ground as he led them on a 11-play scoring drive. RB Vega (18 carries, 123 yards) capped the drive with a 12-yard TD run. A failed 2-point attempt, had PI holding onto a 27-25 lead.
After another failed onside kick by St. Joe, the Tarpons went on a short scoring drive capped by a 38-yard TD run by RB Ramos, his third of the night. Tarpons now led 34-25 with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter.
With their backs against the wall, St. Joe quickly responded with an 8-play scoring drive to make it a 34-32 game with 3:44 left in the game.
As the game was winding down, the Tarpons got a nice kickoff return by KR/RB Ramos who almost escaped for a score. In their final drive, the Tarpons picked up two key first downs as they ran the clock out and sealed the win.
The (3-4) PIECHS Tarpons will be on the road this Thursday, October 16 as they take on the (5-2) Kingsville King Brahmas at 7pm, as week 8 brings the first week of district competition.
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