By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
The Bloodhounds like a fast-paced tempo, a mixture of passes and runs to quickly move the chains. The Tarpons prefer to let their speedy running backs run left, right, and occasionally, over opposing defenses.
“The only difference (between our offenses) is we’re running it for 4 or 5 yards, they’re throwing it for 4 or 5 yards, in my opinion,” Port Isabel coach Monty Stumbaugh said. “It’s still ball control, moving the chains.”
That’s what makes this matchup so intriguing, and makes the defensive unit for both squads all the more important when the two unbeaten teams meet tonight at Tarpon Stadium in Port Isabel.
The Bloodhounds know they must contain the Tarpons’ rushing attack.
“Defensively, we have to tighten it up. We have to stop the run,” Putegnat said. “If we can stop the run and force them into running something other than sweeps or tosses, they may hit the panic button.”
The Tarpons know they must put the brakes on St. Joseph’s offensive tempo.
“We’re going see if we can try to slow them down,” Stumbaugh said. “We have to be really disciplined on defense, being the right spots, in the right zones. We have to contain their quarterback and try to take them out of their rhythm.
“We don’t expect to shut them out by any means, we’re just going to try to keep them from scoring so many dang points.”
Both teams want to win their last non-district game, but each benefits in the long run, win or lose, as well.
“It’s a good game to get under our belt before we head to district,” Putegnat said. “We face a few run-heavy teams (in district), and that’s what P.I. is known for. It’s a good test for us to show where we stand. It’s important that we have a team like that (on the schedule), so we know what to face.”
Stumbaugh was also positive about having St. Joseph on the schedule.
“It’s going to be good for us, they do some things similar (to some teams in District 16-4A Division II) and it helps us,” he said.
Both coaches see a tough opponent on the opposite sideline
“P.I. is going to be a good test,” Putegnat said. “I hope we can give them a great game and hopefully walk away with a victory.”
Stumbaugh was equally ready for a challenge.
“They wouldn’t be 4-0 (otherwise), bad teams aren’t 4-0,” he said. “They’re playing really well and with a lot of confidence. We told our kids, ‘We have to bring our ‘A’ game,’ we’re ready for a tough game.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter, he’s @andrewmcrum.