By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the RGV FOOTBALL PREVIEW
PORT ISABEL, TX—The sound of a school bell ringing in late August means a new season of high school football. Last season, the Port Isabel Tarpons finished with a 9-3 record including an upset of Ingleside in the first round of the playoffs.
The 2023 Port Isabel Tarpons will be looking to take the next step in this upcoming season with the goal of playing during Thanksgiving and possibly into December. The Tarpons lost a handful of good players including quaterback Rudy Barrera, Cross Martinez, Luke Valdez and Jayden Gonzalez to graduation among others. Quarterback Cleveland Smith was poised to lead the team this year, but he and his two brothers Christian and Jeffery decided to sit out the season to concentrate on basketball.
PI will have 28 lettermen returning including seven offensive and eight defensive starters. PI will have the benefit of returning several capable runners in 2023, including their top back, Luis Ramos. Ramos earned the district’s Newcomer Of The Year honor for his efforts on the field. Ramos will be joined in the backfield by Andrew LeBlanc, Tristan Garcia, Evan Galvan and Jose Ochoa. The team seems to be even quicker than last year’s team, which will allow the coaching staff to work on their passing game – a rarity in PI. Sophomore Bryan Martinez has earned the starting quarterback spot via his performances in practice and in the Tarpons two scrimmages. When called upon, the quarterback will have a big target to throw to in receiver Anthony Garcia (6’-3”, 172lbs).
Defensively, the Tarpons feature a solid linebacking group in J. Ochoa, Edward Garza and T. Garcia. Linemen to watch, some of which play two-way, include Steven Martinez, Arnulfo Hernandez, Christopher Gonzalez, Juan Acheves and Timothy Martinez. The secondary will be composed of cornerbacks AJ LeBlanc and Robert Medina along with safeties E. Galvan and Kevin Morales.
Looking at the schedule, week one has 4A Port Isabel on the road as they take on the 3A Lyford Bulldogs. Last season, the Bulldogs took the Tarpons into overtime, but the Tarpons prevailed in a 41-40 game. The 2023 Lyford Bulldogs will take a big hit due to graduation. Among those lost will be their star player, quarterback/runningback, Osmar Martinez. Don’t expect an exciting overtime game this year, as the Tarpons should dominate on both sides of the ball.
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