FREDDY GONZALEZ | Valley Morning Star
RIO HONDO — Football, baseball, basketball or volleyball, anytime Rio Hondo and Port Isabel meet a certain level of excitement fills the air.
This year, the football contest heads back to Rio Hondo where the Bobcats (3-1) will aim to make it four consecutive wins against the Tarpons (1-3) in a series that dates back to the 1950s. Port Isabel leads the series 35-29-1.
The Bobcats enter the game on a three-game win streak after suffering a disappointing 36-33 loss to Class 6A La Joya Juarez-Lincoln. A game that Rio Hondo head coach Rocky James called “eye opening.”
“That first loss should have never happened because we go into every game expecting to win,” said James. “Losing that game weighed heavy on these guys both offensively and defensively. I think that loss opened up their eyes. We’ve had a bunch of rain days and they put in some hard work in the gym. I’ve been here for 12 years and that was probably two of the best days of inside work that I have ever had.
“It’s really a testament to these kids not wanting to lose and recognizing that we weren’t playing very good. We were winning the games not playing our best football, but losing that game really hurt them, so I know they want to finish the rest of the games with victories.”
A win would go a long way for both teams in a tough District 16-4A DII that looks to have plenty of title contenders.
For Port Isabel, the season hasn’t started off the way many have hoped for as the Tarpons enter the game on a two-game losing skid with loses to La Feria (45-13) and Brownsville St. Joseph (62-20).
With injuries weighing heavily on both teams, James doesn’t expect for either team to miss a beat.
“I think we’ve both adjusted to losing certain players,” he said. “Really, I don’t think we will miss a beat. I’m a better team, obviously, with my starting running back Danny Vasquez because he’s an unbelievable athlete, but since then we have adjusted our game plan and all of our stuff has evolved to the players we have.”
While players like quarterback Tyler Bush and wide receiver Erik Pizarro have helped the Bobcats enter the game with district-leading 1,960 offensive yards, James credits the offensive line for the team’s run.
“The offensive line has really come together and I think there are our unsung heroes this year,” he said. “They have given Bush time to throw the ball to Pizarro and we have been able to run the ball with who ever is in the backfield.
“Ty Ryner, who plays everywhere along the line, has led the way for the line but I’ve been really surprised at how well our line has been able to play.”