footballgal
10-22-2004, 02:09 PM
Should be a good game and hopefully PI comes out on top!
The Battle by the Bay is here
The Monitor
http://www.valleystar.com/images/uploads/TARPONS102204.jpg
Port Isabel’s P.J. Ramos hauls in a pass as a Hidalgo defender tries to bring him down during a game earlier this month in Hidalgo.
By MIKE GONZALEZ
The Brownsville Herald
PORT ISABEL — Deep in the heart of district play, there always comes the one game that keys the outcome of the district championship.
Year after year it always seems La Feria and Port Isabel find a way to face each other for the right to win the top prize in the district. This season is no exception as the Lions (3-0 in District 32-3A, 4-1 overall) battle the Tarpons (3-0, 6-1) for first place in District 32-3A at 7:30 p.m. at Tarpons Stadium.
For both traditional rivals, it’s the 46th meeting between one another as Port Isabel leads the all-time series 28-15-2. The Tarpons, who are currently ranked No. 11 by the Associated Press, took a hard fought 28-14 victory last year at La Feria.
The Tarpons have captured the last three meetings — all three coming in the Monty Stumbaugh era. The Port Isabel head coach, who is in his fourth season, knows all about the intensity of playing big games against the Lions.
"It’s the same old song," Stumbaugh said. "We’re both undefeated and it’s going to be a tough ballgame. The winner will be on the driver seat for at least a week."
La Feria looks to cool off Port Isabel, which comes in with a six-game winning streak with its only loss to Los Fresnos in Week Zero. Since the ‘Battle of Highway 100’, the Tarpons have been on a roll thanks in large part to a bruising running attack and sound defense by the Seawall Defense.
Port Isabel has still found a way to make plays on offense despite star running back Johnny "Nitro" Nieto seeing limited action. Nitro has been bothered by a fractured fibula that he suffered a few weeks ago, but the X-rays have come out negative. The senior did not play in last week’s 30-7 win versus Raymondville. Stumbaugh said Nieto is week-to-week and is questionable for tonight.
"He’s healing up like he’s supposed to," Stumbaugh said. "He’s looked much better and he did some drills (on Monday)."
Led by quarterback Orlando Ochoa, fullback Frankie Herrera, and the beef up front, Port Isabel has racked up over 2000 yards on the ground and averaged 360.1 yards of offense per contest.
Ochoa leads the Tarpons with 557 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns while Herrera has come through with 351 yards and five scores. Oscar Grisham (342), Ralph Valdez (144) and Marky Villarreal (121) have also been called upon when needed.
"A lot of guys have been stepping up since Johnny’s been gone," Ochoa said. "Frankie does what he always does and I just do what I can; run, block and throw."
One other thing Port Isabel always does is take pride in the ‘Seawall Defense’. Since the loss to the Falcons, the Tarpons have given up just over 156 yards total per game, which has led them to second place in district. Now they have the task of trying to slow down La Feria’s roaring ground attack.
This season, it’s been Manny Perez who’s sparked the Lions at tailback. In five games, Perez has rushed for 779 yards and five touchdowns and has gone over the 100 mark in every game.
"Communication is always the key," said linebacker Frankie Espinosa, who’s third on the team with 43 tackles. "Our defensive line and linebackers, we all know how everything goes."
Herrera, who leads the defense with 68 tackles, 20 solo, saw La Feria on film and had only one thing to say about its offense.
"We’ve got our work cut out for us," Herrera said. "They’re a good team and that’s all I’ve got to say."
The Battle by the Bay is here
The Monitor
http://www.valleystar.com/images/uploads/TARPONS102204.jpg
Port Isabel’s P.J. Ramos hauls in a pass as a Hidalgo defender tries to bring him down during a game earlier this month in Hidalgo.
By MIKE GONZALEZ
The Brownsville Herald
PORT ISABEL — Deep in the heart of district play, there always comes the one game that keys the outcome of the district championship.
Year after year it always seems La Feria and Port Isabel find a way to face each other for the right to win the top prize in the district. This season is no exception as the Lions (3-0 in District 32-3A, 4-1 overall) battle the Tarpons (3-0, 6-1) for first place in District 32-3A at 7:30 p.m. at Tarpons Stadium.
For both traditional rivals, it’s the 46th meeting between one another as Port Isabel leads the all-time series 28-15-2. The Tarpons, who are currently ranked No. 11 by the Associated Press, took a hard fought 28-14 victory last year at La Feria.
The Tarpons have captured the last three meetings — all three coming in the Monty Stumbaugh era. The Port Isabel head coach, who is in his fourth season, knows all about the intensity of playing big games against the Lions.
"It’s the same old song," Stumbaugh said. "We’re both undefeated and it’s going to be a tough ballgame. The winner will be on the driver seat for at least a week."
La Feria looks to cool off Port Isabel, which comes in with a six-game winning streak with its only loss to Los Fresnos in Week Zero. Since the ‘Battle of Highway 100’, the Tarpons have been on a roll thanks in large part to a bruising running attack and sound defense by the Seawall Defense.
Port Isabel has still found a way to make plays on offense despite star running back Johnny "Nitro" Nieto seeing limited action. Nitro has been bothered by a fractured fibula that he suffered a few weeks ago, but the X-rays have come out negative. The senior did not play in last week’s 30-7 win versus Raymondville. Stumbaugh said Nieto is week-to-week and is questionable for tonight.
"He’s healing up like he’s supposed to," Stumbaugh said. "He’s looked much better and he did some drills (on Monday)."
Led by quarterback Orlando Ochoa, fullback Frankie Herrera, and the beef up front, Port Isabel has racked up over 2000 yards on the ground and averaged 360.1 yards of offense per contest.
Ochoa leads the Tarpons with 557 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns while Herrera has come through with 351 yards and five scores. Oscar Grisham (342), Ralph Valdez (144) and Marky Villarreal (121) have also been called upon when needed.
"A lot of guys have been stepping up since Johnny’s been gone," Ochoa said. "Frankie does what he always does and I just do what I can; run, block and throw."
One other thing Port Isabel always does is take pride in the ‘Seawall Defense’. Since the loss to the Falcons, the Tarpons have given up just over 156 yards total per game, which has led them to second place in district. Now they have the task of trying to slow down La Feria’s roaring ground attack.
This season, it’s been Manny Perez who’s sparked the Lions at tailback. In five games, Perez has rushed for 779 yards and five touchdowns and has gone over the 100 mark in every game.
"Communication is always the key," said linebacker Frankie Espinosa, who’s third on the team with 43 tackles. "Our defensive line and linebackers, we all know how everything goes."
Herrera, who leads the defense with 68 tackles, 20 solo, saw La Feria on film and had only one thing to say about its offense.
"We’ve got our work cut out for us," Herrera said. "They’re a good team and that’s all I’ve got to say."