Win or lose, Port Isabel is known for two things: running the ball, and playing tough defense.
And junior Michael Finona does both.
In his second varsity campaign, the outside linebacker has been a consistent presence in defending the run. He ranks top four in tackles for P.I. this season, recording multiple stops for loss in a 28-7 defeat to Edcouch-Elsa last week.
Offensively, he’s tallied over 110 yards rushing on only 16 touches, and is often featured as a lead-blocker when he’s not carrying the rock.
Finona says he doesn’t take the opportunities for granted.
“I try to go hard every play because you never know when your [last] snap will be,” he told the Port Isabel Times.
This week, Finona and his Tarpon teammates prepare to face a Roma Gladiators offense that runs a mirror-image of P.I.’s own “Slot-T.”
“Roma is running the same offense as us,” Finona said, “so [our] first team D is going against our first team O [at practice].”
Roma (3-2) enters the matchup vs. P.I. after defeating Pace last Friday, 61-21. Like the Tarpons, their backfield features a handful of weapons, and at both the running back and quarterback positions.
Gladiators’ QB Jorge Tamayo (6/16 passing, 524 total yards, 6 rush TDs) captains a Roma offense that features four players who’ve rushed for over 240 yards on the season. RB Ruben Garcia (763 yards, 9 TDs) leads a rushing attack that has accounted for 20 touchdowns and over 1,800 yards through 5 games. The Gladiators have ran the ball on 93% of their offensive snaps.
Port Isabel will be looking for its offense to fire on all cylinders. Senior Luis Ramos (710 yards, 9 TDs) has been a force to be reckoned with, going over the century-mark in four of five games this season while averaging over 12 yards per carry. His younger brother, Jesus Ramos, has shown great potential in limited offensive snaps, accounting for 171 rush yards and two touchdowns on eight attempts.
The Tarpons backfield is rounded out by a revolving door of tailbacks, including but not limited to Elijah Alvarez, Edward Garza, Bryan Ramirez, Angel Dominguez, and Finona.
P.I. will also be looking for third-year QB Bryan Martinez (10/27 passing, 193 total yards, 1 pass TD, 1 rush TD) to make a big contribution to the offense as the Tarpons begin the second half of their season.
Last year, Port Isabel won the matchup, 41-14 on the road. This time, the Gladiators travel to Port Isabel, but Finona and the Tarpons are hopeful for a similar result.
“Our ultimate [goals are] to not lose any more games, win district, and make it far in the playoffs,” he said.
Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM. It is Port Isabel’s Homecoming week.
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