By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the RGV FOOTBALL PREVIEW
PORT ISABEL, TX—The Port Isabel Tarpons first took the field way back in 1950, but it wasn’t until the mid-70s that Tarpons started to consistently rack up the wins and become a well-known RGV football program.
By the late 70’s and into the mid-80’s, PI had the honor of being coached by two All-Time RGV coaches, Tommy Roberts (47-4-1 at PI) and Alex Leal (32-5 at PI). Under the leadership of those renowned coaches, Port Isabel’s football program became well-known around the state of Texas. As football grew in popularity among the community, the youngsters playing street ball or on empty lots couldn’t wait to grow up and be a Tarpon.
Although the stands are not fully packed as they once were, decades later you can count the Port Isabel fanbase to outnumber the opponent’s fanbase, even at away games. Many fans are past players who are now grandfathers, fathers and uncles of the current players. It has become a rite of passage to play for the Tarpons for many players. The Laguna Madre community has had many families donned the blue and white. This year sees a trio of Martinez cousins taking the field together.
This football season, the Tarpon team will be led by a young quarterback, Bryan James Martinez. Like many before him, he too had his sights on being a Tarpon growing up. After playing middle school football, Martinez became a member of the Junior Varsity team as a freshman. By the season’s end, he led the JV team to a District Title and an undefeated (8-0) record.
Always trying to improve his game, Martinez played spring ball at the McAllen Sports Complex with a 15U PI Tarpon team. Then during the summer, he participated in several 7on7 games. In June, his team traveled Kingsville to compete in a 7on7 State Qualifying Tournament held at Texas A&M University. The team was unable to advance to the State Tournament, but Martinez did manage to throw eight touchdowns during the tourney. He likes spending time with his family, especially when they watch the Dallas Cowboys. His favorite player is Micah Parsons.
Bryan will be joining his cousins, Steven (junior) and Timothy (senior) on the field. Steven and Timothy are stout linemen that battle in the trenches. As freshmen, the coaches saw the players potential and elevated them to the Varsity team.
S. Martinez currently starts on both the defensive and offensive lines. He was awarded First Team Offensive Guard All-District honors for his performance last year. His likes to spend his spare time working out and spending time with his brother and friends. He is a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. After finishing high school, he wants to attend college and be a sports agent.
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