By JOSHUA McKINNEY, Staff Writer
A dedicated group of seniors is leading the way for the Port Isabel Tarpons during the first week of football practice.
Port Isabel coach Monty Stumbaugh says the first week of practice has rolled along smoothly. The next step is to see what the players can do once they finally put on the pads.
“It’s been pretty good so far,” Stumbaugh said. “We’ll find out today since we’re putting the pads on (Friday was Port Isabel’s first practice in pads) but we’re real pleased with the kids. We’ve got a lot of kids out. We’ve got a great attitude. We’ve been working hard. I’ve been real pleased with them.”
Offensive lineman Oscar Del Abra, running back Carlos Orduna, quarterback/safety Omar Silva, defensive end Dylan Athanas, linebacker John Ray Martinez, linebacker Chris Bode, and defensive back Ricky Gonzalez make up the seven-man corps of experienced players helping lead the team through the first week of practice.
Orduna, a returning starter for Port Isabel, is helping the younger offensive players learn the ropes during their first practice.
“It’s just getting on their (tails) and telling them what to do because some of them are new,” he said. “So, we’ve got to teach them our level and from there on, they can carry it on.”
Stumbaugh said this group is ready to “go out with a bang” after two straight bi-district round exits against tough opponents from District 15-4A DII.
“They’ve been there. These kids have been doing the same thing since they were in the seventh grade,” he said. “If they don’t know by now, they probably won’t. But it helps. If we can’t get a play right and we have to go repeat it and repeat, they’re going to get frustrated and they’re going to speak their mind. It makes it smooth because they’re like, ‘Let’s go. Let’s move.’ They know how to practice. It helps the young kids.”
The strongest spot for the Tarpons this week has been their ability to pick up things quick, which comes from having strong nucleus of leaders at practice every day. Learning on the fly is vital with the limited amount of time the coaches have with the kids.
“They’re retaining a lot better,” Stumbaugh said. “It’s tough because we’re throwing a lot of stuff at them. It’s hot and their brains get fried. Their effort’s gotten better everyday. They came in with good effort and come in with a good attitude. I think that’s the main thing. They’re pushing each other and they’re helping each other.
“They’re retaining much better. We’re not having to repeat as much and that’s a good sign. If we keep doing that, we can add little things to that. If we can’t we can’t go forward. I’ve been real impressed with that so far.”
Joshua McKinney covers high school sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @joshuabvherald.