ADAM KUJAWSKI | STAFF WRITER
Port Isabel takes its perfect record on the road this week to face winless Valley View at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The Tarpons (3-0) leaned heavily on their relentless, district-leading rushing attack during last week’s 38-17 win over Hidalgo. Running the football is such a primary form of attack for P.I. that coach Monty Stumbaugh’s team only threw three passes against the Pirates.
Port Isabel is steamrolling its competition, outscoring opponents 103-53 and averaging more than 350 rushing yards per game. The Tarpons will continue to look to leading rushers J.J. Gonzalez and Alex De Los Santos, who rank first and fourth in District 16-4A Division II in rushing yards, respectively.
“P.I. is P.I.,” Tigers coach Baldo Peña said. “We’d like it to be a defensive battle, but they’re a good football team. Nobody’s going to completely stop them.”
Valley View (0-3) was shut out 28-0 last week against Laredo Cigarroa. On the season, the Tigers have allowed 104 points and scored 28.
Despite the lopsided statistics, Stumbaugh isn’t taking the Tigers lightly.
“We’ve got a tough matchup against Valley View,” he said. “They’re a team that runs the ball well, and they’re tough against the run.”
Though diligent preparation is typical from every coaching staff, Valley View is ranked sixth in its district in rushing yards (425) and has allowed the second-most rushing yards (519). The disparity between the teams indicates the Tarpons will be heavy favorites.
Port Isabel has been efficient against the run, holding opponents to fewer than 80 yards per game. In order to spoil the Tarpons’ perfect season, Peña will need his team’s running game to step up. The Tigers have done well in that department this season, tallying 425 yards in three games.
“Our running backs need to have a good game,” he said. “We’ve had a few little injuries like bruised ankles and turf toe, but if we can get healthy I think we’ll be all right.”
Next week, P.I. plays host to St. Joseph in another non-district game at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26. Valley View starts District 31-5A competition as they travel to Sharyland Pioneer on the same evening.
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.