By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
On Friday, Oct. 4, the 4A Port Isabel Tarpons were on the road as they took on the 5A Roma Gladiators in a non-district game. The matchup was the first time the teams have met on the football field and it turned out to be a competitive game for at least the first half. As the second half got underway, the Tarpons exploded for three touchdowns in a span of less than five minutes, eventually outscoring the Gladiators, 35-7 in the second half.
The Gladiators started the game off with a big return to the 40-yard line. Three plays later, Roma QB, Eli Garza found his receiver wide-open for a 55-yard pass play. Good thing Port Isabel’s Cleveland Smith made the touchdown-saving play as LB,Edward Garza forced a fumble two plays later ending the scoring threat.
As the Tarpons’ offense took the field, they started to move the chains and managed cross midfield but then fumbled the ball away.
On Roma’s ensuing drive, PI’s defensive end, Larry Lohr came up with a big sack forcing Roma to punt as both teams’ defenses were bending but not breaking.
The Gladiators capitalized on a bad snap during a PI punt as they went on a short 5-play scoring drive capped by a 6-yard touchdown run by RB, Elias Mejorado as Roma took a 7-0 lead with 3:12 left in the second quarter.
Not to be outdone, Port Isabel responded with a 56-yard touchdown run by Luis Ramos with 2:28 left in the half. An unsuccessful extra point kick gave Roma a 7-6 lead at halftime.
As the second half kickoff got underway, PI’s returnman, Anthony Garcia received the ball at the 3-yard line and sprinted down the left field sidelines for a 97-yard touchdown return giving PI a 13-7 lead.
On Roma’s next drive, they attempted a pass play, but PI’s defensive back, Christian Smith intercepted the ball and returned it to the three-yard line. From there, RB, Dylan Green ran up the middle for the score as the Tarpons extended their lead to 20-7 with 9:54 left in the third quarter.
Port Isabel kept the momentum going as LB Edward Garza caused and recovered a forced fumble. Three plays later, RB, Ramos number was called and he came through with a 21-yard touchdown run, outrunning defenders to the endzone. The Tarpons now led, 27-7.
The Gladiators responded with a seven-play scoring drive capped by a two-yard TD run to make it a 27-14 game.
The Tarpons then went on a long, 17-play scoring drive capped by a five-yard TD run by RB, Angel Dominguez which gave the Tarpons a 34-14 lead with 5:23 left in the game.
After a 79-yard punt return by PI’s Ch. Smith, the Tarpons added one more touchdown by FB/Lineman Michael Torres for a final of 41-14.
Unfortunately, with less than a minute to play, PI’s Joseph “JoJo” Martinez was involved in a head-to-head collision and will be undergoing concussion protocols.
The (6-0) Port Isabel Tarpons will be on the road this Friday night as they take on the explosive (5-1) St. Joseph Academy Bloodhounds at 7:30 p.m.
In other week six action, La Feria lost to St. Joseph, 62-13, La Grulla lost to Hidalgo, 13-7, Kingsville King beat Valley View, 56-0, 6A Harlingen lost to 4A Cuero, 24-14 and 6A San Benito lost to 4A Carthage, 56-0.