The Port Isabel Tarpons overcame an early deficit Friday evening to dismantle the Hidalgo Pirates, 61-7, in front of a packed crowd.
It was a career evening for senior Luis Ramos. The veteran running back churned out 265 yards rushing on only nine carries behind a stout offensive line. He added four touchdowns and averaged almost 30 yards per carry.
Senior Edward Garza also put on a memorable performance in the Tarpons’ home opener. The four-year starter delivered big hits all night & scored touchdowns on both sides of the ball, including a scoop-and-score to begin the second half.
Hidalgo received the opening kickoff and orchestrated a methodical, 18-play drive, picking up five first downs and marching 76 yards to take an early 7-0 lead.
Not to be outdueled, P.I. responded with their own five-play, 53-yard drive ending in a five-yard touchdown plunge by running back Angel Dominguez (4 carries, 32 yards, 1 TD). A botched snap on the PAT left the Tarpons trailing, 6-7.
Hidalgo would catch the Tarpons by surprise on its following possession, converting a gutsy fake punt run up the middle on fourth and five. However, their momentum was immediately usurped on the next play when DE Jerry Troncoso burst through the run protection and collided with Pirates’ RB Roberto Gallegos well behind the line of scrimmage for a six-yard loss. The breakout sophomore also added a fumble recovery in the second half.
After forcing the Pirates to punt, P.I. got on the scoreboard again when Ramos took a handoff down the right side and dashed 59 yards to paydirt. The Tarpons elected to go for two, converting on a QB sneak by Bryan Martinez (0-2, 0 TD) and extending the lead to 14-7 early in the 2nd quarter.
An electric 55-yard punt return by Dominguez a few moments later would set the Tarpons up with a first and goal. RB Elijah Alvarez (6 carries, 26 yards, 1 TD) took consecutive handoffs up the middle and bulldozed his way into the endzone. A successful PAT by Luis Ulloa would send the Tarpons into the halftime facilities on top, 21-7.
If the Pirates hoped for smooth sailing in the third quarter, their dreams were crushed by Garza and the seawall defense. The Tarpons held Hidalgo scoreless in the second half, forced multiple turnovers, and applied constant pressure on quarterback Jaden Wheeler (6-20, 81 yards, 0 TD).
Facing a third and 15 deep in their own territory, the Hidalgo quarterback, son of second-year head coach Jason Wheeler, threw a quick backwards lateral pass towards RB Gallegos. That’s when LB Garza, making a heads-up play, sprinted to pick up the loose ball. He would barrel his way across the goal line and extend the Tarpons lead to 34-7. This was moments after Garza also contributed to the offense with a five-yard rushing touchdown.
The rest of the game would be dominated by Ramos and the Tarpons’ offense. The returning 1,000-yard rusher reeled off nearly 200 yards and added three more scores in the second half. Other Tarpon ball carriers who contributed were RB Michael Finona (3 carries, 35 yards), RB Bryan Ramirez (4 carries, 32 yards), and junior QB Grayson Estes (2 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD), who shook defenders and displayed breakaway speed on his way to a 77-yard touchdown run, capping off the Tarpons’ scoring for the evening.
“It was a tough game,” sophomore Angel Dominguez told Port Isabel Times after the win, “They were coming at us, but we just kept running through.”
Dominguez plays offense, defense, and special teams for the Tarpons. He said their hard work over the summer is paying off.
With the win, Port Isabel evens its record at 2-2 headed into a road contest vs. Edcouch-Elsa (1-3) next Friday. The Tarpons have won the last three meetings.
When asked how they’ll prepare for the Yellow Jackets, Dominguez said, “we’re [going to] hit the weight room,” he added, “that’s all we do.”
*All Stats reported are unofficial. Plese feel free to email The Port Isabel Times at johnslawnstx@gmail.com with any comments, questions, or corrections.
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