Port Isabel, Tx. – The P.I. Tarpons sent us all a clear message Friday night:

Even when they’re down, you should never count them out.

Led by their suffocating defense, a hat trick performance by senior running back Bryan Ramirez (7rush 102yards 3TD), and some more innovation in the passing game by QB Grayson Estes (2/4 65yards 1TD), Port Isabel completely dominated all phases of the ballgame and put themselves back in playoff contention with a big homecoming victory over the Grulla Gators, 47-14.

First Half

La Grulla (0-5) must have gotten the pre-game speech of a lifetime the way their offense came out firing on the opening series.

It only took three plays before RB Luis Villareal (24rush 127yards 2TD) broke free down the left sideline for a huge 59-yard touchdown run to put the Gators up 6-0 with 10:23 to go in the first quarter.

But Port Isabel (2-3) hit right back with their own methodical, fifteen-play drive. Bruiser back Alvaro Rocha (7rush 47yards 1TD) converted on two-crucial third downs as the Tarpons moved the ball 82 yards down the field off a lethal combo of sweeps, reverses, and tosses.

Behind a big push from his O-line, Ramirez would walk into the endzone from one yard out for his first score of the evening with 2:26 to go in the opening period. Tarpons up 7-6.

The Seawall defense would wake up soon after when Tristan Green and Jerry Troncoso went back-to-back on tackles for loss as they gobbled up Villareal before he could even think about catching the edge again.

But QB Isaiah Salinas (2/4, 35 yards) made a few clutch throws on the drive to help the Gators move inside Tarpon territory as the second quarter got underway.

That momentum would be upended by LB Michael Finona (5 tackles 2 TFL) after he jumped the snap on a 2nd-&-8 and pummeled Villareal five yards behind the L.O.S. to force a 3rd-&-long.

QB Salinas got tripped up by a grass monster on the next play as Grulla’s drive fizzled before punting it back to the Tarpons.

P.I.’s Ramirez, returning fresh off of injury, would break loose on the Tarpons’ next possession with a dazzling 64-yard run that saw him stiff arm a defender for an extra boost, as he barreled all the way down inside the Gators’ 20-yard line.

Three plays later, he’d take another handoff up the hooter and shed tacklers until breaking the plane for his second rushing touchdown of the night. This put the Tarpons up 14-6 with 4:53 remaining in the half.

After forcing a quick three-&-out, Port Isabel would get the rock back with just over two minutes to go – and in great starting field position.

Facing a 3rd-&-1, Tristan Green (5rush 18yards) broke loose down the middle of the field for first down yardage before getting stripped and fumbling the pigskin.

But in a testament to downfield blocking, big man Jahi Vasquez (1rush 12yards) found himself right near the action and was able to jump on the loose ball, salvaging the Tarpons’ possession while also adding his name to the offensive stat sheet.

With :27 seconds to go Ramirez would find paydirt once more, shooting across the goal line from eight yards out and increasing P.I.’s lead to 21-6 headed into the break.

Second Half

Following an extravagant halftime ceremony – Congratulations to the 2026 Royal Court – The Tarpons picked up right where they left off with a quick scoring drive to open the third quarter.

Finona would give everyone a preview of his Homecoming dance moves with a shifty 25-yard run to open the series.

P.I. then dialed up a rare screen pass to Ramirez that netted eight yards before RB Ivan Medina (4rush 25yards 1TD) blew the game wide open with an explosive sweep play to the left side of the field.

He’d dive headfirst across the goal line for a 17-yard score to put the tarpons up 27-7 only three minutes into the half.

The Gators’ offense would get completely derailed by the Seawall defense in the third quarter, being forced to punt on three consecutive series. Jerry Troncoso (5 tackles 2 TFL) and Jahi Vasquez (5 tackles 2 TFL) recorded multiple tackles for loss in this time span, and Austin Adney (3 tackles) showed great pursuit to the football as he consistently chased down La Grulla’s ball carriers.

Senior DB Mikel Sosa also contributed with some hard hits throughout the evening. He recorded four tackles and a forced fumble.

Midway through the third quarter, P.I. would throw a nice wrinkle into their gameplan when QB Estes took a shotgun snap and rolled out to his right side from the Tarpons’ 43-yard line.

He’d plant his feet around the hash marks, then rip a pass all the way across the field to WR Preston Estes, who was just making his break on a crisp backside post route.

WR Estes would haul it in near the left sideline and regain his footing before racing 57 yards to the house for his first career receiving touchdown.

After the PAT, Port Isabel now led 34-6 with 5:35 to go in the third quarter.

Before the night ended, the Tarpons would get two more scores out of their playmakers on offense: first, a three-yard burst by Rocha, followed by a thunderous 54-yard TD run by Miguel Arano (3rush 63yards 1TD) straight up the smoker to put the nail in La Grulla’s coffin with just over ten minutes remaining in the ballgame.

Final score: Tarpons 47-14

Ramirez became the first Tarpon ballcarrier this season to eclipse the century mark for rushing yards in a single game. The senior finished with 100 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone as P.I. racked up 424 total yards vs. La Grulla’s defense.

Finona, Troncoso, and Vasquez led the defense with five tackles each, while sophomore Carlos Garcia tallied four stops himself.

While the Seawall did give up 124 rushing yards to Villareal, they held the Gators’ offense to only 3.7 yards per carry and just 35 passing yards.

La Grulla finished the contest with 159 yards of total offense.

What’s Next

With the win, Port Isabel now carries some momentum and confidence headed into their bye week.

After the break, they’ll travel up North to take on the Ingleside Mustangs (4-1) in a crucial district matchup. Ingleside is coming off the heels of a dominant victory over the La Feria Lions, 45-7, this past Friday night.

But if the Tarpons can heal up, stay focused, and execute solid gameplans, they’re about to make things interesting for District 16-4a Division ll during the second half of the season.

Kickoff vs. Ingleside is set for Friday, October 9th, at 7 P.M. at Mustang Stadium.

Once a Tarpon. Always a Tarpon. Go Big Blue.