footballgal
11-12-2004, 01:23 PM
Tarpons begin familiar trip down playoff lane
Kris Holland / The Brownsville Herald
http://www.valleystar.com/images/uploads/TARPS111204.jpg
Port Isabel quarterback Orlando Ochoa rushes for some yards during the Tarpons’ game against Los Fresnos during their game earlier this year. The Tarpons take on Orange Grove in the playoffs today.
By BUDDY GREEN
buddyg@valleystar.com
956-430-6284
Probably, the questioned asked Port Isabel head coach Monty Stumbaugh the most this year was: Can the Tarpons repeat last year’s success?
Only time will tell.
The Tarpons reached the state semifinals a year ago, becoming the first Valley team to advance that far three times (1980, 1994).
With several key players back, the comparisons were made right from the start.
PI will start to answer those questions tonight when the Tarpons play host to Orange Grove in a Division II Class 3A bi-district match.
Lyford will also represent District 32-3A in Division II, playing at West Oso tonight.
The Division I (big school) game features La Feria against Zapata, the 31-3A champion. That game will be played in Mission.
All three games start at 7:30.
PI brings a world of momentum into the contest, having won nine straight to capture the district championship.
The Tarpons are ranked No. 8 in 3A state AP Poll.
"Records mean absolutely nothing now," said Stumbaugh. "That’s all out the window. You have to be ready to play. I know our kids are gonna play hard."
PI beat Orange Grove 28-0 last year. The Bulldogs (4-6) run an offense similar to the Tarps.
"They’re based out of the I, but they pretty much run the veer," said Stumbaugh. "They try to do things to confuse you. We’ll have to be aware of that."
Quarterback Roel Alaniz runs the show for the Bulldogs and tailback Scott Stafford is their main back.
PI’s bread-and-butter is its running game, which averages over 320 yards a game.
Quarterback Orlando Ochoa led the club with 920 rushing yards, averaging 9.6 a carry.
Tailback Johnny Nieto picked up 723 yards despite missing about four games with a leg injury.
"We’re not very complicated," said Stumbaugh. "We feel we can throw the ball if we have to. But we got where we are by running the football."
The running game and a good stiff dose of the "Seawall Defense" no doubt wrote the ticket.
The Tarpons defense ended up leading the league with a 179.5 yield.
La Feria (6-2) vs. Zapata (9-0)
The Lions rode their defense to a second place finish in district and face a team tonight that’s capable of putting points on the board.
Early on taiback Manny Perez was one of the best backs in the district but he tailed off toward the end.
Still, Perez finished with 855 yards, averaging 5.1 a carry.
Justin Ramirez took over the quarterback spot from Matt Garcia, who got injured in a late-season loss to PI.
Ramirez has plenty of speed and gives the Lions a definite big-play threat.
Defensively, look for Paul Castor, Albert Garrett and Roy Vento to key the Lions.
Lyford (7-3) at West Oso (4-6)
Like Port Isabel, the Bulldogs can throw if they have to, but they live with their running attack.
Omar Cavazos (882) and Aaron Infante (793) produce the big numbers while fullback Felix Silva can’t be overlooked, either.
Quarterback Adrian Romo is a capable runner and passer, who likes to hit Infante out of the backfield. Noel Cavazos is dangerous at wide receiver.
In a winner-take-all game against Hidalgo last Friday, the Bulldogs rushed for 290 yards in a 21-7 victory.
The Bears have a big-time back in Vernon Dixon, who rushed for 1,488 yards and 22 touchdowns on 180 carries.
Dixon should be a challenge for the Lyford defense, which has gotten stronger down the stretch.
Tackle Justin Valdez anchors a solid front with active linebackers and DBs.
Kris Holland / The Brownsville Herald
http://www.valleystar.com/images/uploads/TARPS111204.jpg
Port Isabel quarterback Orlando Ochoa rushes for some yards during the Tarpons’ game against Los Fresnos during their game earlier this year. The Tarpons take on Orange Grove in the playoffs today.
By BUDDY GREEN
buddyg@valleystar.com
956-430-6284
Probably, the questioned asked Port Isabel head coach Monty Stumbaugh the most this year was: Can the Tarpons repeat last year’s success?
Only time will tell.
The Tarpons reached the state semifinals a year ago, becoming the first Valley team to advance that far three times (1980, 1994).
With several key players back, the comparisons were made right from the start.
PI will start to answer those questions tonight when the Tarpons play host to Orange Grove in a Division II Class 3A bi-district match.
Lyford will also represent District 32-3A in Division II, playing at West Oso tonight.
The Division I (big school) game features La Feria against Zapata, the 31-3A champion. That game will be played in Mission.
All three games start at 7:30.
PI brings a world of momentum into the contest, having won nine straight to capture the district championship.
The Tarpons are ranked No. 8 in 3A state AP Poll.
"Records mean absolutely nothing now," said Stumbaugh. "That’s all out the window. You have to be ready to play. I know our kids are gonna play hard."
PI beat Orange Grove 28-0 last year. The Bulldogs (4-6) run an offense similar to the Tarps.
"They’re based out of the I, but they pretty much run the veer," said Stumbaugh. "They try to do things to confuse you. We’ll have to be aware of that."
Quarterback Roel Alaniz runs the show for the Bulldogs and tailback Scott Stafford is their main back.
PI’s bread-and-butter is its running game, which averages over 320 yards a game.
Quarterback Orlando Ochoa led the club with 920 rushing yards, averaging 9.6 a carry.
Tailback Johnny Nieto picked up 723 yards despite missing about four games with a leg injury.
"We’re not very complicated," said Stumbaugh. "We feel we can throw the ball if we have to. But we got where we are by running the football."
The running game and a good stiff dose of the "Seawall Defense" no doubt wrote the ticket.
The Tarpons defense ended up leading the league with a 179.5 yield.
La Feria (6-2) vs. Zapata (9-0)
The Lions rode their defense to a second place finish in district and face a team tonight that’s capable of putting points on the board.
Early on taiback Manny Perez was one of the best backs in the district but he tailed off toward the end.
Still, Perez finished with 855 yards, averaging 5.1 a carry.
Justin Ramirez took over the quarterback spot from Matt Garcia, who got injured in a late-season loss to PI.
Ramirez has plenty of speed and gives the Lions a definite big-play threat.
Defensively, look for Paul Castor, Albert Garrett and Roy Vento to key the Lions.
Lyford (7-3) at West Oso (4-6)
Like Port Isabel, the Bulldogs can throw if they have to, but they live with their running attack.
Omar Cavazos (882) and Aaron Infante (793) produce the big numbers while fullback Felix Silva can’t be overlooked, either.
Quarterback Adrian Romo is a capable runner and passer, who likes to hit Infante out of the backfield. Noel Cavazos is dangerous at wide receiver.
In a winner-take-all game against Hidalgo last Friday, the Bulldogs rushed for 290 yards in a 21-7 victory.
The Bears have a big-time back in Vernon Dixon, who rushed for 1,488 yards and 22 touchdowns on 180 carries.
Dixon should be a challenge for the Lyford defense, which has gotten stronger down the stretch.
Tackle Justin Valdez anchors a solid front with active linebackers and DBs.