By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
Last year, the Port Isabel boys’ soccer season ended abruptly in the first round of the playoffs after suffering a grueling 1-0 loss at the hands of the Progreso Red Ants. The same Progreso team that was ranked #1 in the 4A class and reached the state semifinals. Unfortunately for the Red Ants, the UIL ruled they used an ineligible player and had to forfeit all their wins. So, missing out on competing in round 2 of the playoffs really hit the Tarpon team hard.
Fast forward to the 2025-2026 season and the Tarpons lost 13 seniors to graduation from a team that finished 12–8 overall and 9–5 in district action, while scoring 50 goals and surrendering just 23.
The new season has brought a complete overhaul of the midfield. Varsity newcomers Eli Vasquez and Mayson Vasquez have made an immediate impact on the wings with goals and assists, alongside Manuel Trejo. Domenic Roustand has taken over the central midfield duties, partnering with Edgar Ulloa and Yafet Jimenez while contributing on both sides of the ball.
So far, the team experienced an up-and-down start to the season. Port Isabel faced a blend of district and non-district competition across two tournaments, playing nine matches and finishing 4–5 overall. During that span, the Tarpons netted 25 goals, with Josue Trejo, Kevin Garcia, and Mikel Sosa all emerging as early contenders for the team’s scoring lead.
Defensively, Port Isabel has been stout, allowing just 10 goals so far. The back line is anchored by team captain Luis “Pechuga” Ulloa and seniors Derrek Herrera (co-captain), Christian Hernandez, and Rigo Cordoba, with underclassman Angel Rios also playing a key role. Rounding out the roster are returning contributors Christopher Villalobos, Obed Dominguez, Ivan Callejas, and Pedro Gomez, whose ability to play multiple positions adds valuable depth and flexibility for the Tarpons.
As district action got underway this past week, the Tarpons jumped out to an impressive start, closing out the opening week of district play with a pair of wins, blanking Jubilee Brownsville 2–0 at home before rolling past IDEA Sports Park 11–1 on the road.
“This year’s team has faced some very strong opponents during the pre-district season,” said the Tarpons’ Head Coach Cristobal Ortiz. “Even with several new faces on varsity, our goal is to continue improving and building on what previous teams have accomplished. These young men are competing at the same level as last year’s squad and still have plenty of room for growth in the coming weeks.”
The Tarpons next game will be this Friday, January 23 when they take to the road as they take on IDEA Frontier College Prep at 4:15pm.
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