By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Port Isabel defense is solid
Another week, another dominant effort by the Port Isabel defense. But after allowing just 122 yards of offense to Hidalgo in the 37-6 victory Friday night in Port Isabel, the Tarpons won’t get any rest; the challenges will keep coming in the next two weeks. Port Isabel goes on the road for the next two weeks to finish its non-district schedule and faces a pair of talented offensive units. La Feria is the first test this week in Week 4, and a week later the Tarpons head to St. Joseph to take on the hi-tempo offense of Kai Money and the Bloodhounds. It should show the Tarpons how good their defense is ahead of District 16-4A, Division II. “They’ve been playing really well and getting after it,” Port Isabel Monty Stumbaugh said of his defense that allowed just its first offensive touchdown of the season. “They were physical, bringing the wood, so to speak. They’re effort has been great … we shut them down.”
Lopez D is getting scary good
Speaking of top defenses, Lopez continues to impress after holding PSJA Memorial to just 142 yards in the 44-0 shutout victory Thursday at Sams Memorial Stadium. The Lobos’ Lorenzo Uresti picked off a pass on the Wolverines opening drive that seemed to set the tone for rest of the game. Lopez forced seven punts and three turnover on downs during the game. With a bye week coming up before the beginning of District 32-5A, the Lobos get a small break. But I’m sure Lopez is already preparing for its district opener against Porter in the annual Battle of Southmost that just increased in importance to the two teams now that it’s a district game. Porter has struggled offensively this season, and it’s not going to get easier with a showdown against the Lobos.
St. Joseph running back is clutch
St. Joseph running back Mario Garcia rushed for 206 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries against Rio Hondo, but the score couldn’t have come at a better time. After the Bobcats cut the deficit to 24-21 in the third quarter, Garcia broke off a 75-yard run for that score to put the Bloodhounds up 31-21 with 9:10 to play in the third. St. Joseph would score again and take a double-digit lead into the fourth quarter, but would not be threatened again in the road victory to push its record to 3-0 for the season. The senior running back has already rushed for 393 yards and four touchdowns on the season for the Bloodhounds. St. Joseph faces Raymondville in Week 4.
Falcons pick up where they left off
After an early bye week in the season, Los Fresnos didn’t seem to miss a beat in a 37-14 victory on the road against McAllen High. Led by senior quarterback Mark Mata, who rushed for a pair of touchdowns and threw for another score to receiver Jose Ramirez, continues to put up the numbers in his first season under center. The Falcons offense has put up nearly 44 points per game already this season and with Mata as its field general, it probably won’t slow down any time soon. Los Fresnos faces McAllen Memorial on Friday night in Week 4. “(Mata) does a good job readying the schemes, he’s a great athlete,” Los Fresnos coach Patrick Brown said Friday night. “He’s going to be special.”
Hanna on the mend
Hanna is happy to see a bye week in the schedule after its Week 3 loss to Mission High. The Golden Eagles had two key defensive players fall to injuries during the game and their top running back, senior Jaime Gonzalez, developed cramps during the first half and didn’t get much time on the field during the second half. Mission High took advantage and outscored Hanna 21-7 after being down by just a touchdown in the first half. So the off week was needed for Hanna ahead of District 32-6A, which will be enough of a challenge without dealing with depth issues at the start of district play. The Golden Eagles hope to get back to health as they open their district slate against Rivera.
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.